"The audience needs to broaden their musical horizons"

It's been a busy time for popular musician, composer, music director and lyricist Tanveer Alam Shawjeeb. On August 13, EMK Centre held “EMK Happy Hour” with “Shawjeeb & his piano” as the centrepiece. The well recognized Shawjeeb took the audience by storm.
A philosophical Shawjeeb spoke to The Daily Star, after a musical programme at Star Melodies. “One has to gain respect and equally value the other for the way they treat you,” he said. He had much more to add:
 What are your feelings about the depth of Nazrul and Rabindra Sangeet?
 Tanveer: I am no one to talk about the depth of Rabindranath and Nazrul Sangeet. As I get older, I can only try to understand and appreciate the realities behind their songs. Some of the songs that I heard when I was young, never made any sense to me-- until now.
The versatility of Nazrul songs and the authenticity of Rabindranath's songs are a dynamic combination. Think about Nazrul; he never completed his education-- but look where life took him. Today his writings are included in the university curriculum. On the other hand, Rabindranath was privileged but he never devalued anything at all. People need to be passionate like these revolutionaries. Such luminaries come in centuries.
How do you view your audience?
Tanveer: The lay audience needs to be exposed to different genres of music, rather than one particular form. We need spontaneity in our lives and the audience needs to broaden their horizons when it comes to song and music.
 As for my audience, they are biased (he laughs a little). There are times when I heard them saying that I was confused, as I have a grasp of so many forms of songs and music. Sticking to one genre of music is being dishonest to myself, my passion, my love for songs and to my audience. I perform Shyama Sangeet, semi-classical and much more. This is what audiences ought to expect from a singer.
What would you suggest to upcoming singers or musicians?
Tanveer: There are no shortcuts and there will never be shortcuts in life. You have to learn about life the hard way. If you take a shortcut, it will have a way of returning to you and eventually haunt you with regrets. So for upcoming singers, my advice is: know your songs well and develop a passion for them. To gain fame is not easy. People in this field face hardships. They should always remember that there is no competitor. The only competitor in a person's life should be none other yourself. You need to outperform yourself. Don't look at your past mistakes, mend them and look ahead.