Ace classial guitarist says besides setting goals, inspired journeys vital

By Jeijei Newme

IMPHAL | Oct 27

It is good to have some goals but is equally important to have inspired journeys. True to his words, Aribam Uttam Sharma life’s journey is truly inspiring. He is a lecturer by profession but is also a passionate and accomplished professional guitarist. He will be performing in the Shillong leg of Bacardi NH7 Weekender on October 27 and 28, India’s most happening music festival.

Music lovers, especially guitar aficionados, know him and his superlative skills. In Shillong, he will share the stage with well-known blues musician, Rudy Wallang of Soulmate (based in Shillong) fame.

Alongside the Rudy Wallang band, other international and national singers and bands, including Steve Vai, Indian Ocean, The Local Train, Guitar Jamboree, Andrea Tariang and the Band, among others will be performing in the music capital of Northeast India. NH7 Weekender is termed as one of the happiest music festival, and is considered the “Glastonbury Festival” of India.

IFP caught up with Uttam to get some of his views on his journey. He told this report that he has been in love with music since his childhood, but it is practice over the years which made his passion for music deeper and deeper, until he became completely lost in it, especially the infinitely aesthetic possibilities of the classical guitar.

He studied classical guitar with premier guitarist Gareth Koch, from University of Newcastle, Australia where he also earned his B. Music degree. There he was awarded the Frank Hutchens Memorial Award for his exceptional performances.

He also composes music. He has composed music for more than 10 films of which Leipaklei and Manipuri Pony were national award winners. Anther film for which he scored the music, Hundred Zero Zero Seven was awarded the Golden Conch at Mumbai International Film Festival, 2014.

Narrating how he got to be there, he said Rudy Wallang liked his performance in a one Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICC) sponsored programme in Shillong. And then the next day he got a call to be part of the festival. He said he is indeed excited to be part of one of India’s biggest music festival.

He said he probably is the third artist from the state to perform in the festival after Imphal Talkies and The Koi.

He recounted his bad times during his journey and at one point of time, “I had to give up practice and it was hard for me”.

He took a break due to sickness for 5-6 years, but he coped and recuperated from both his fears and his sickness. He credited his father (a film-maker) for being a constant source of inspiration in bad times as much as in good times.

He said that his favourites of guitarists are many but he mentioned David Russell, Stevie Ray Vaughan among others.

Uttam revealed that he is still on medication but hopes to release one album of his own composition in next year and he is working fulltime not to make it happen.

He advised his younger counterparts that they must have goals in mind and work for them, but it is also vitally important to have the courage to step out and be ready to take the leap of faith into one’s calling.