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 21 May 2010 - He has had no formal training, but
he is one of the best music directors in the country. He has won eight
awards, including the best music composer and best background score, in
the recent film awards.
But the journey for music director Tandin Dorji was not all smooth
sailing.
His father died after he finished class XII. So he could not
continue his studies. But he got an opportunity to study arts in India
and Bangladesh, which was not what he was interested in.
In 2000, he composed four songs and went to try his luck at Norling
recording studio in Thimphu. He was rejected.
Rejection made no difference to him. In fact, he started visiting
Norling more often. It was during one of these visits that he met some
Indian musicians hired by Norling. “I learned a few things from them and
then thought that if they could why couldn’t I?” he said.
After that, with the help of a friend, he bought some musical
equipment and started composing music and songs.
Finally, after four years, in 2004, Tandin got his first break.
Director Kesang P Jigme approached him to work in his film Khachhem.
Since then, Tandin has become the most sought after music director.
Till date, he has worked in 107 films and composed 2,974 songs.
“Composing songs depend on the situation and understanding of a
story,” said the music director. “Sometimes, I take about an hour and a
half, while there are times when I take weeks to compose a song.”
He seeks inspiration from the works of Indian music director AR
Rahman and Nepali music director Raven Darshan Dara. He also get
inspired by the works of Pema Rinzin and Tsheten Dorji, two other
Bhutanese musicians.
He started his career charging Nu 700 for a song; now he charges Nu
120,000 for a film.
From Punakha and the eldest of the three siblings, the 28-year-old
music director recollects his late father singing and teaching him
songs on the dramnyen, which never interested him. He was more into
singing and playing piano.
“It is not necessary to have formal training. All you have to do is
be dedicated and creative,” he said.
He wants to touch people’s hearts with music. “My greatest
achievement is the song Karsel Dawa, which I composed for a late
friend of mine.” The song has been used in the film 4 Friends.
Tandin Dorji has sung in some 30 music albums but says he does not
want to sing. He wants to concentrate on music composition.
Tandin Dorji has a huge fan following. He receives calls from fans
who appreciate his work when his films are released.
He said some fans called him up and asked him to sing. “I am a
composer, not a singer, but I still couldn’t convince them so Ihad to
sing a couple of times,” he said.
He, however, recollects getting threats when he was one of the jury
members of Druk Star show. “At times, I got proposals from women and at
times, threats,” he said.
He said he will never again judge any singing shows.
Apart from composing songs, he likes painting, football and archery.
He is presently working on a new film.
Source: http://www.bhutanobserver.bt
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