Ranjit Barot
Born into a family steeped in Indian classical music and dance, melody and rhythm have always been an integral part of Ranjit’s life. His mother was the renowned Kathak dancer, Sitara Devi.
His response to the western drum kit, even at the age of 12, was almost organic and his natural flair, ease and craft catapulted him into becoming one of India’s leading artists on the instrument at the age of 17. In 1980 he performed at the Jazz Yatra in Bombay and then travelled to Europe with the Jazz Yatra Sextet in 1981.
Ranjit has been an integral part of some of A.R. Rahman’s greatest work through the years and continues to bring his unique personality to this genre of music. Songs like Humma, Aanwara Bhavrein and Athiradi to the present hit Param Sundari all our works that Ranjit has collaborated with AR Rahman with. He is the Musical Director of all AR Rahman Live shows.
He has had the distinct honour of performing often with Maestro Zakir Hussain, including a Masters of Percussion Tour of the US and Canada.
On the Jazz Sextet’s first European tour, Ranjit met Don Cherry. There was an instant connection, primarily because of Don’s free spirited approach to life, one in which everyone was welcome, as part of his ‘family’.
His collaborations with musicians abroad have included unique performances with renowned artists such as John McLaughlin, Jonas Helborg, Ayden Esen, and Tim Garland.
He has been always inspired by the path-breaking work of guitar legend, John McLaughlin and was recently featured as the drummer in his Grammy nominated album ‘Floating Point’.
Ranjit has released his highly acclaimed debut album, titled ‘Bada Boom’, worldwide in November 2010, featuring some of the greatest musicians on the scene today, from India and the West. Ranjit was the Music Composer and Sound Designer for the entire Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 and represented India with his Live Performance at the ‘India Inclusive’ showcase at WEF, Davos 2011.
Ranjit has also had a long career in composition and music production and It is in this connection that he had the honour of working with the industry legend Bruce Swedien (engineer/producer for Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones) who mixed Ranjit’s songs on Vande Mataram 2 and Senso Unico, an Indo-Italian feature film. Combined with his strong roots in the Indian classical tradition, his worldview of music gave him a unique perspective on the Indian Film genre. His work in this field has also earned him much acclaim and recognition as a Music Composer and Arranger for Album Projects and Feature Films, winning awards and accolades for films such as Aks, Aśoka, Main Hoon Na and Shaitan to name a few.