ADOR LOVESHOTS Conversation on 'Being a Pro Sitar Player and its benefits' with Dhruv Bedi.

In episode 38 of ADOR LOVESHOTS, enjoy this conversation between Udit Shah - CEO of Ador Dating App, and Dhruv Bedi - Musician, Sitar Artist, and Teacher.

Please share a brief about you and your journey in music.

I am blessed to have taken birth in a musical family. I am the 3rd generation in my family who is a musician. When I was hardly one or two months old, my grandfather, who is also a musician, used to take me in his arms and recite seven swaras in my ears. He wanted to induce music in my DNA. So my training had begun at that age only. After a few years, my father realized that I am starting to develop an interest in music so he got me a Sitar at the age of 4. I had my first stage concert at the age of 6 in front of approximately 1500 people. My formal training was started by my father. The turning point in my life came in 2003 when my guruji came for a workshop and it was a life-changing experience. Since then I have been constantly following my guruji even though I didn't start learning from him independently. In the year 2008-2009, learning he accepted me as his student. So, currently, I'm learning from my father as well as from my guruji. So all this time I've been practicing, learning, teaching, and performing. This has been my journey so far.

What particular experience/moment made you pursue music?

Very simple - what pushed me into this field was music. I was crazy about music. When I was hungry, sad, or angry, I used to play or listen to music. All my moods drove me to play or listen to music. It made me happy and relieved my stress. There are two ways you can enjoy music, either by playing/performing/singing or listening. Music is like a drug to me. It's a very healthy drug as it releases all your stress, makes you happy, and is like a medicine with no side effects. Music brings an immense amount of joy within you, around you, and to others so it is a win-win situation for all.

Can you please elaborate on how music is a meditation?

It is said that the right hemisphere of our brain is in control of creativity and the left hemisphere of our brain is in charge of logic-related activities. once you start engaging in any form of creative arts, you'll understand that your mental well-being has started developing. As an instrumentalist, moving our fingers to play instruments is logical so our left side of the brain is under constraint because of the various functions and so is our right side of the brain. As per research conducted in the USA, it showed that a person's brain's so many neurons got charged at once. This increases your concentration level, oxygen level, blood circulation, reduces stress level, etc. Hence, there are so many benefits of learning, singing, and listening to music.

What are the easiest ways for the youth to learn music from the comfort of their homes i.e. online?

Anyone who wishes to learn music, firstly, needs to figure out what form of music - either instrumental or vocal, they want to learn. Secondly, if you want to learn instrumental, which instrument do you wish to learn? The third step would be to look for a good teacher and once you find a good teacher, trust and rely on them. According to me, we teachers are just a medium to bring music into our students' lives and nurture something that's already there because every individual has music inside them and the potential to learn it. Hence, online or not, a good teacher is vital for guidance.

Why should young people learn at least one instrument and invest their time in learning it?

As I said before, the right hemisphere of our brain gets very active. Also, it calms us down, and brings positivity within us and around us. So, if you have spare time, direct your energy towards something constructive i.e. creative arts. Research has also shown that learning music helps you to be more focused, calm, stress-free,re-energized, and mature.

Can you please share how music has helped you spiritually?

I am a spiritual person. I respect every religion but I am not a religious person. Coming back to music and spirituality, for me, they are the same thing. I do zone out when I play music the same way people tend to zone out when they are worshipping or meditating. Music can be a deep form of meditation. It can give you the same amount of relaxation as a long meditation gives you. So, for me, there is no difference between music and spirituality. I have felt that as I dive deep into the music, the more spiritual I become. This has helped me to connect with my higher self and the supreme energies and music also tend to elevate you into a completely different space as meditation does.

One quote that sums up your journey till now?

There is a Kabir's Doha that has changed my life and has given me more clarity. In English, it means - if your guru and the Lord is in front of you then whose blessings will you take first? Obviously, first yours my guru as you've helped me to meet the Lord. Hence, the position of our gurus is the highest in our lives. For me, the respect that I've for my guru, I don't think I'll ever be able to give it to someone else. So this quote has actually changed my life.

Fun and Rapid Fire Round with ADOR LOVESHOTS

Udit Shah: One song that you will never get bored of?

Dhruv Bedi: 'Breathless' by Shankar Mahadevan.

Udit Shah: Your favorite Indian music celebrity?

Dhruv Bedi: My Guruji and Sonu Nigam.

Udit Shah: If you had to spend 1 hour with one Global music celebrity, who would that be?

Dhruv Bedi: Pink Floyd or Freddie Mercury. In the Indian music industry, it would be Ustad Zakir Hussain.

Udit Shah: What one song would you play for your date to impress them?

Dhruv Bedi: 'Hey Jude' by the Beatles.

Udit Shah: Top 2 mentors that played a pivotal role in your journey?

Dhruv Bedi: My parents, my Guruji, Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, Pandit Mukul Shivputraji, Pandit Komal Gandharji, Pandit Madhup Mudgalji, Ustad Zakir Hussainji, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkarji and Vidushi Veena Sahasrabuddheji.

Udit Shah: One place in India that you think is very deeply connected with music?

Dhruv Bedi: I find music everywhere so I can't say a name. But the places that I've experienced most joy, would be my home, my Guruji's house, and the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in New Delhi.

Thank you for being with us!