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No doctored success

Photos (CentreSPREAD and Cover): S. Subramanium

His own tune Palash Sen at Taj Palace hotel in New Delhi

Palash Sen can amaze you. Such is his humility that he can strike a chord with just about everyone, without the airs of a celebrity. His words are simple, straight and grounded. He lives by his principles. Tags, titles, accolades… he doesn’t let them overpower him. Given a choice, he would have never let the limelight fall on him if it was not for his band, Euphoria.

A decade on and still going strong, Palash’s music may have changed people’s perception towards non-film music in India but the man hasn’t changed over these years. Maybe it is this unique trait that manifests itself in his songs and gives it an earthly soul. Think “Maeri” or “Dhoom Pichuk Dhoom”.

“Frankly, I will not like to take credit for anything I have achieved. It’s just God’s grace and my good luck. And to think of it, I don’t even have formal training in music,” says a humble Palash.

But yes, there’s one thing he would like to take credit for and that’s his doctor education. “I got myself educated first, then followed my dream, which I feel is very important. Education helps you make the right choice. It keeps you rooted to your base. I always cite the example of Shah Rukh Khan (who is also from the same school as Palash — St. Columba’s School). He is an Economics graduate with a master’s degree in Mass Communication and see how successful he is today,” points out Palash, an M.B.B.S degree holder from University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

However simple it may sound but a doctor’s degree is no child’s play. And the singer makes no bones about it. “I come from a conservative Bengali family, which is full of doctors. So, it was natural for me to take it up. But having said that, it wasn’t easy to become a doctor. While working in hospitals, there have been days when I have spent 36 continuous hours on duty. It can be stressful but there are no excuses. That’s why I get angry when M.S. Dhoni says the Indian team cannot play back-to-back games as it drains them out. Let him visit a hospital once and I am sure he will change his mind.”

Listening to him talking so fiercely about his profession, you understand why he is so vocal against reservation. “I am not a social activist, nor do I have an opinion on everything. But I know what it takes for a student to get a medical seat. It is not fair to those students who slog. I am not against equality but it should happen at the right place.”

If this is how strongly he feels about his education, why did he decide to leave all his hard work behind to pursue his musical dreams? “Music was always a part of life but I never thought of taking it up as a full-fledged career. But when opportunity knocked, I decided to open my doors. The Archies head came up to me and said he would like to launch their record label with our album and that’s how Dhoom happened,” explains Palash. He adds in the same breath, “I still run a clinic in my house, though I haven’t done justice to it. Anyway what you have been trained for will never get wasted. I will always remain a doctor. My dream in life is to open a charitable hospital and ensure quality treatment reaches the poor. I feel I have achieved what I intended to as a musician. Now I want to fulfil my ambition as a doctor.”

It is easier said than done, for such is his choc-a-bloc tour schedule. If not performing at some college or corporate function, he is travelling to the U.S., Australia or Pakistan for shows. Despite a jet-setting life, Palash’s heart is where his home is — in Delhi. “Being the Capital, Delhi gives you the edge that other cities don’t. You can find your space here. The city is as aggressive as it is laidback. But Delhi is close to me simply because I was brought up here, and have studied here. It’s my home,” says this Greater Kailash resident.

The otherwise chatty and friendly Palash prefers to be reclusive at home. “I barely get to stay at home, at times not more than four or five days in a month. I prefer not to entertain any professional engagement then. I don’t go to any events or parties either. That’s the reason I perform the least in Delhi,” he says candidly.

He calls himself a normal middle class man, and leads his life on the same lines. While his wife Shalini is a lecturer at Venkateswara College, his two kids (Kingshuk and Kyna) study at Mother’s International School. “My principle in life is to keep everything simple — be it my music or family. I want my children to lead a normal life and not grow up thinking their father is a celebrity. I don’t take them to my concerts because of that. When at home, I buy milk in the morning and do the vegetable shopping. For my kids, I am just a normal musician father.”

It is this simplicity that has helped him sustain his band as well. Euphoria has already completed ten years. And its popularity remains untouched. “I encourage my band members to keep their lives simple as well. Why go to a party and have unnecessary stuff written about you. I have kept my ego outside my band. Being the face of the band, I am bound to get attention. So I prefer to let the spotlight fall on others.”

( rmangala@thehindu.co.in)

First shot

Meghna Gulzar’s Filhaal was his first shot at acting and now, after a gap of six years Palash will be seen in Mumbai Cutting, a film consisting of 11 different stories by 11 directors that revolve around Mumbai city. Not only this, Euphoria has also composed a nine-and-a-half minute song for the film. A first for the band.

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