By Jasmine Laldinpuii
& Nabamita Mitra
Hammarsing Kharhmar is taking a break from the monotonous routine of music and is keeping himself busy with more worldly matters. But music remains his first love, confesses the 37-year-old musician.
Kharhmar is in town for vacation from New York after being away from home for about a decade. Sitting on the cosy couch at his Mawprem bungalow, Kharhmar does not look at ease as his vacation is all occupied with “work”.
“I am planning to venture into hotel business. So the day is spent on drawing the road map for it. For some time, I am not focusing on music,” he says as he tries to relax before getting into the groove.
After a few niceties the conversation diverts to Kharhmar’s first love. The young musician no longer needs an introduction for he has already created a niche for himself. He has released an extended play record with Magniph, a Japanese label. The recording was done in New York. “The full length album will be out soon,” says the Edmundian.
Kharhmar’s musical journey started from home where he learnt to strum the guitar from his father, Prabhat Sawian. His stage performances also started early. After completing high school from Bishop Cotton College, Kharhmar moved to Delhi. When he took up Economics at St Stephen’s College, Kharhmar was unsure about future. However, he never stopped playing the guitar and drums.
It was during his stay at St Stephen’s that the trigger to divert his energy towards music came. “A teacher who taught music there pushed me to go ahead with my passion and asked me to pursue music at Berklee’s (Berklee College of Music). So I moved to New York in 2007,” Kharhmar says.
There was no turning back for Kharhmar after that. After he finished his music course at Berklee’s, he joined the group of Albert Hammond Jr in 2008, the renowned American guitarist, singer, songwriter and music producer.
During his stint with Hammond, Kharhmar toured the whole of North America and several countries in the southern continent, West European countries and Japan. In 2008, the Hammond group opened for Coldplay in Switzerland. Kharhmar was also part of the team. Recollecting his experience in Switzerland, the musician says, “It was something that I never experienced before and never saw anywhere. The crowd was enormous and it was an experience of a life time.”
During his association with Hammond, Kharhmar also opened for groups like Tame Impala and Black Keys. He also formed a group, Mon Khmer, with young musicians from Berklee’s. As he narrates his experience in New York, the attention is drawn towards the grand piano, an antique musical instrument owned by the family, and the curious mind asks, “Do you play it too?”
Kharhmar replies in negative. “I am more into guitar and drums.”
Talking about his local plans, Kharhmar sits up and says with amazement in his eyes that Shillong, the city where he grew up, has changed for good. “It is growing. The place is friendlier and more positive now as it gets connected the world outside. With this, the music scenario has also changed,” he asserts.
The guitarist and drummer says his interest is roused by the local music and traditional instruments and that he would like to learn more about them. “Traditional music always has a charm of its own. Nowadays many people play guitar but the local music of a particular place always amazes the world and tickles curiosity,” says Kharhmar, who is planning to move to Berlin to enjoy a different flavour of music.
He also expresses his wish to collaborate with Khasi musicians and Indian talents to explore a different form of music. He also wishes to invite his friends from Berklee and organise a “boutique festival” that the city is yet to experience. He plans to hold workshops with young talents here and share his experience with them.
On world music arena, Kharhmar, whose greatest inspirations are Bob Dylan and David Bowie, admits that it has become a struggle for new entrants as most of the musical numbers can be streamed online. “One has to create his or her own style and credibility to stand out in the crowd. The competition is too much. But people will come back to live music.”
The serious conversation on music business takes another turn to focus on Kharhmar’s new role as an entrepreneur. “It is all in the nascent stage. We have to first identify the plot,” he says humbly about his hospitality venture.
So will music take a backseat? “No, not at all,” assures Kharhmar adding, “Music will be given utmost importance in the new venture.”
Kharhmar, who feels that he needs more discipline in life, says he never wants to get stagnant in a place and would like to explore new places and cultures. However, he promises to spend “substantial time” at home.
One does not always meet a musician with wanderlust and a knack for entrepreneurship. But Kharhmar is a musician with a difference and he plays it his own way.
Image courtesy: Facebook
