I Am The Biggest Critic Of My Work, Says Ratikant Satpathy

I Am The Biggest Critic Of My Work, Says Ratikant Satpathy

With a unique style and a genre of his own, RatikantSatpathy has carved a niche for himself in the world of music. But it’s not just his voice that creates magic, Satpathy – a media consultant by profession – is a talented composer too.

Soulful numbers like Smruti, Janha Rati, Dhana Kiari, RumkuJhumana and many more to his credit, Satpathy bagged the Odisha State Film Award for best male playback singer for the film ‘Bhagya Chakra’ in 2006. He again got the award in 2013 for the film ‘Rumku Jhumana’.

Recently, he made music lovers fall in love with his compositions and voice all over again when he came up with an album ‘Barnaraga’ based on the poems of famous poet Nirmala Devi. MCL caught up with the singer for an exclusive interview. Here are the excerpts.

Tell Us About Your Recent Album ‘Barnaraga’.

Panchami, the grand-daughter of poet Nirmala Devi and Ratna, the editor of the book ‘Nirmala Devi KabitaSamuha’ requested me to compose a few songs from the book. I agreed and began reading all the poems thoroughly. Even after 50 years, the poems retain their charm, and can be used to make good songs. I selected six poems and we also made a video on one song of the album, ‘TumeBarnaBihina Para’. We are going to make videos on other songs very soon.

How Did Your Journey Begin? Who Inspired You To Become A Singer?

My father was a music lover and wanted to sing in AIR (All India Radio). Unfortunately, his application there met with rejection.When I was in the third grade, he bought me a harmonium and I won the first prize in an interschool competition, that made me aware of my singing capabilities. My siblings also used to sing since childhood; I used to accompany them withthe harmonium and sing as well. My elder sister also tried to sing at AIR, but didn’t get through theauditions. It was not an easy task because the success rate for singers was hardly 2% in AIR then. However, I was quite fortunate to make it through in my first attempt, when I auditioned for the role of a vocalist at AIR in 1990. That made me feel like I fulfilled my father’s wish. He is my inspiration.

How Was Your Experience With Your First Music Album?

During my college days in Ravenshaw, I won prize thriceincluding the first prize in the intercollegiate singing competition. I have a friend from college, who always wanted to make a music cassette with me. I wrote all the songs for it and it turned out to be my first album ‘Niraba Bhasa’. One of my friends,AnnadaPrashana Patnaik, (a popular flutist and music composer in Bangalore now) was the music composer. Annada’s sister and I sung all the songs of the album. I was very excited,since making a music cassette was really a big thing back in those days!

You Are Not A Trained Singer. Do You Plan To Learn Professional Music Someday?

Since I belonged to a middle-class family, we had different priorities. I have always kept music as my passion. Nevertheless, I believe the genre of music I like or prefer is not a genre most people like. That is why I don’t consider myself a versatile singer.           

Which Song Of Yours Remains Your Favourite?

I don’t think I ever did complete justice to any of my songs. I’m always unsatisfied with my songs. That may be so, since I’m quite a harsh critic of my own work, which is why I’m very judgmental about it.

Why Do You Think The Odia Music Industry Declined?

Music never declined; the format and the medium of consumption changed. Piracy is one of the main reasons the industry suffered tremendously. However, the revival seems to be working.

What Are Your Thoughts On The Usage Of English And Hindi Words In New-Age Odia songs?

I don’t mind the usage of other languages, provided the context and meaning is the same that we use in real life. For example, we don’t call our lovers ‘janiya’ or ‘beliya’, why use the words then? The Odia music industry has so much of talent these days that we no longer hire singers from other states. I’d request music directors to not let our talent go waste.

Why Do You Choose Limited Songs?

What I consider as my quality parameters, listeners may not agree with that, so my genre of music is basically a niche segment.

I never ran after numbers and always believed in quality, not quantity. I also feel others may not like the things what I consider as quality material. I don’t want to impose my choices on others but I am clear about mine. So, I always deny songs I am not convinced about and I appreciate that rigidity in me.

You Are Termed As The Jagjit Singh Of Odisha. How Does That Make You Feel?

It’s a big compliment, if some people think like that, but I don’t believe it. He is a genre by himself and I am nothing in front of him. I am a big fan of singers like him as well as others like Hariharan. In our Odia industry, I like Akhaya Mohanty the most; there is always a certain drama in his songs.

Your Wife Is A Punjabi. Does She Understand Your Songs?

As they say, music has no language, my marriage also crossed regional barriers for me (Chuckles). Unlike the initial days, she understands and speaks a little Odia now. Earlier, I used to translate my songs to make her understand.

What Is Your Advice To Singers Who Wish To Become Overnight Celebrities?

You cannot become a Shahrukh Khan only by admiring his acting. ‘Shahrukh Khan’ is not about the way he looks or the work he does. It is about the effort that a common man has been given to become a ‘Shahrukh Khan’. People are not understanding or giving those efforts these days. One must be clear about his/her inspirations and work towards the same.