Whether you play, paint, or act, it all stems from the same core desire…

Rahul Anand, of Joler Gaan fame and recognition, is an awe striking figure on stage. His energy and passion is palpable off stage as well. Today he shares with The Daily Star his views on arts, and other aspects of his life.  

How do you usually spend your weekends?

Rahul Anand: Those of us who perform for a living are occupied during weekends, because that is when programmes and shows are scheduled. But during weekdays when everyone is busy at work, we find time to relax. I am always occupied one way or the other – either practicing music, reading, or making art. At night I always read till I fall asleep.

What has been the primary driving force in your entire life?

Rahul Anand: My teachers have always pushed me to work to my fullest potential. When I finished school and was going to college, my teacher wrote me a letter saying, “Keep practicing, and one day it will pave the way for you.” This was after I had written to him saying I was confused about what I wanted to do in life. Another teacher of mine, renowned actor Azad Abul Kalam gave an advice that I resolutely follow to this day. Sometime around 1997 or 1998, everyone chided me for doing so many things at the same time and told me to focus on just either music, art, or theatre before I lost myself. I turned to him, and asked again, what I must do. He said, “Do anything your heart desires; if the heart wants music, then you must play, if it wants art, then you must paint...but whatever you do, you must give it your full focus.”

As a theatre activist, artist and musician – how do you feel each artistic medium defines you?

Rahul Anand: Whether you play, paint, or act, it all stems from the same core desire, and it seeks to lead people to the same place. The abstraction within music, art, and theatre are closely intertwined and you cannot exclude one to have the other. A musician must be aware of what is happening in other spheres of life in order to make good work, and the same applies to an artist and actor. All the great artistes we follow – Tagore and Lalon for example- were considered social rebels, and yet no one was more aware of their social realities than them.

You have traveled to many places around the world – which has been the most significant as a learning experience?

Rahul Anand: Yes I have and also had the opportunity to work with people from various backgrounds. But there is no place I hold dearer to my heart than Charukola. I know the place intimately, and every tree and blade of grass on the premise is a friend with whom I can communicate freely. I miss it more than I miss my own home, and I turn to it whenever I am in search for inspiration, or to soothe my mind and soul.