Mr. Bipul Chettri is one of the most talented and cherished songwriters and singers of the hills and a gem to the music field. Born to Late Mr. Narendra Mohan Chettri, also a musician, he grew up in this humble town and attended St. Augustine’s School before graduating from Delhi University. His songs are an amalgamation of Nepali folk, western music and Indie, and hugely hold the soul and beauty of the magnificent Himalayas. With his single ‘Wildfire’ achieving numerous hits on Soundcloud, it wasn’t a surprise that his debut EP album ‘Sketches of Darjeeling’ released in July, 2014, was warmly received by the Nepalis around the globe. With tracks like ‘Mountain High’ and ‘Asaar’, Mr. Chettri has beautifully captured the essence of the hills as he weaves his music with the soothing sound of the guitar and the delicate sound of various elements like Buddhist chants, percussions, sarangi. Some of his compositions like ‘Rail Garee’ and ‘Wildfire’ are very peppy and upbeat.
Bipul Chettri has learned classical guitar at Trinity College in London and currently teaches music and heads the Arts Department at Vasant Valley School, New Delhi. On the eve of 11th July, 2015, Kalimpong witnessed it’s son charm the town with his mesmerising performance live at Mill Ground, SUMI, in the memory of the Late Mr. P.B. Ghatani. The huge audience cheered with pride and excitement as Bipul Chettri entered the stage with his band of musicians (Rahul Rai, Pranai Gurung, Prabin Sekhri, Kiran Nepali, and Reuben Narain) and changed the entire ambience with their phenomenal music.
The town resounded with melody as the crowd sang along with him to the tunes of every song he sang- from ‘Syndicate’ to ‘Rail Garee’.
With his last number, ‘Asaar’, cries of ‘once more, once more’ grew louder and reflected the love for him in the hearts of every resident.
As the programme ended, countless fans of the very much loved star of K’pong swarmed around him for autographs and ‘selfies’. Well, yes, I was one of them, but the fan-following was so huge that I couldn’t get a single photograph with him. However, the group was staying at Holumba Homestay (next stop of the Notesfromkalimpong article express – Holumba Junction :P), and thanks to the owner, Norden uncle, a very old friend of my uncle, and the manager, Mr. Sonam Tashi, I got to meet the star and his team and extract a little interview for you guys and well, for my personal project. So here goes… an interview with the name of every household in Darjeeling and Sikkim – Bipul Chettri.
It is a matter of great pride for Kalimpong to be your hometown. How was growing up here for you? How did you get started with playing music and singing? How was music in your schooldays?
Everyone who grows up in a place like Kalimpong carries the pride of being a part of this beautiful place. My growing up years were wonderful and will always cherish that episode of my life. As you know I attended St. Augustine’s School in Kalimpong, an institution that prides itself in terms of not only academics but also excellence in sports and music so it was only natural for me to be a part of that legacy. The school encouraged most of us to participate in music projects however small it may have been, so I am always thankful for that. The faculty also played a large part in this development with the likes of the legendary Late Mr. C. M. Ghising who inspired a whole generation of children to follow and respect good music. Mr. Adrian Pradhan and Mr. Sonam Sherpa are two perfect examples of that generation too.
It isn't hidden that you have drawn a lot of inspiration from the beauty of our hills, but apart from that, has there been any particular artist you've idolised prior to the making of your album?
The magnificence of our hills has inspired so many artistes in the past and will keep doing so in the future. So I guess I am a part of that too.
There are so many artists I draw inspiration from that it is too long to mention.
The youth particularly had been very out of touch with the nepali music scene and the folk elements but you seem to have brought back the lost charm and influence with just one album. How do you feel about that? What do you think has blurred the musical roots of the hills?
Music is always evolving just like any of the arts. Just because the majority of people listen to a particular type of music does not mean that the others are losing its charm or influence. As far as the point of me bringing back the charm of Nepali folk music is very subjective. But if it helps a new generation of listeners to go back to the roots, it is always a good thing. Like I said earlier, music is an evolving medium, so it will take different shapes all the time but the roots will never change however much one can try.
What are your views on the music scenario of the hills?
I am part of that scenario and am positive that it will grow in various ways, but it will keep growing. Music was and will always be a huge part of growing up in the hills.
You have inspired a lot of young musicians here to make it big. We know it is harder for artists here to come up and make music than it is for the artists in the mainland India. What do you think is the reason behind it?
In these times of technology, it really does not matter where you are geographically located. We are slowly but surely improving in terms of infrastructure like music studios coming up in our areas which was the only thing that used to hold us back in the early days. Lack of talent has never been the problem, infrastructure was. I think we are overcoming that part now, even though we are in the early stages.
You have learned classical guitar at Trinity and it perfectly complements your melodious singing. Do you play other instruments too?
Apart from the guitars, I also play the piano, bass, drums and the harmonica.
Compared to the previous decades, do you think it easier now to make music and promote it? How?
It is obvious that there has been a massive change with the advent of Internet in our lives. You could be sitting in Kalimpong and collaborating with any artiste in the world and making music together and also promoting it. So this digital world has broken all barriers in these terms.
Who are your favorite current songwriters or musicians? Can you turn our readers on to someone they may not have heard of?
I listen to so many artistes and my favourites keep changing every single day.
As an independent artist, you have completely mesmerized the hills. Do you intend on collaborating with other artists too?
Collaborations are always welcome but there has to be some synergy between the collaborators.
Your songs do not fit in just a single genre/category, which makes it more versatile and intriguing. How else do you wish to explore and increase your music?
I am listening to so many forms of music all the time and drawing inspiration from them all, be it classical, blues, jazz, pop, rock, African etc., and I think it shows up in my compositions as well.
Please tell us a little about your next project. What are your plans and hopes for your future with regard to your music?
My current project is my follow-up album for which the recording sessions have already begun and am looking forward to shaping its course for the next couple of months. Apart from that, everything is a blank slate.
Any message for your fans?
Thank you for listening and keep supporting good music. As a huge music buff and lover of good music, it was a great pleasure meeting such artistes who not only make praise-worthy pieces but are also very humble. The music scenario in Kalimpong has always been wonderful and with people like Mr. Bipul Chettri and his travelling band, we can never run out of good feast for our ears.
People who do not understand even a bit of Nepali have appreciated his songs because truly, music knows no limit and involves no boundaries. So, all you fans out there, keep listening to Bipul Chettri and supporting him for what he does...and those of you who haven't listened to him yet, don't wait, click the link below and give his songs a listen. :) You're gonna love it! https://soundcloud.com/bchettri And don't forget to follow him on facebook.
I leave with a video of one of my favourite songs by him called 'Asaar' based on the monsoon in Kalimpong :) Oh, feels so perfect typing this and listening to it while sipping hot tea in this weather! Cheers!
- Drishti Bagdas https://www.facebook.com/ofmountainsmomosandmittens
