Ranjit Barot is an Indian music director who has composed enchanting music for a number of Bollywood flicks. He also serves the industry as a drummer, singer, music arranger and film score composer. He has been associated with the noted music director A.R. Rahman since a long time. He has acquired immense acclamations for his work as a music composer and arranger for both feature films and albums.
Early Life of Ranjit Barot
Ranjit Barot was born to a musical family which has a tradition of Indian classical music and dance. His mother is from Varanasi and his father belongs to Gujarat. Thus since childhood, rhythm and melody have been an intricate part of the life of Ranjit. His mother Sitara Devi is a well known Kathak dancer. Since the age of 12, Ranjit Barot exhibited a natural flair for the western drum kit and performed with ease and craft. His expertise helped him to emerge as a leading drummer at the age of 17. In the year 1980 he performed with the Jazz Yatra Sextet along with Louis Banks at the Jazz Yatra in Europe. In the same tour he also performed alongside Pandit Ravi Shankar"s ensemble. During this phase he journeyed to Europe and the West with top notch jazz/pop and classical musicians of India. Ranjit performed at European festivals between 1980 and 1982 featuring jazz greats like Louie Bellson, Cecil Taylor, Billy Higgins, Al Foster, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and others.
Career of Ranjit Barot
Ranjit Barot has worked extensively for music composition and production. He also worked with Bruce Swedien, the sound and music production industry legend. The latter mixed Ranjit"s songs on Vande Mataram 2 and also for an Indo-Italian feature film Senso Unico. The musical life of Ranjit Barot has derived great inspirations from Bruce Swedien for taking up its contemporary form. His expertise in finely amalgamating of Indian classical tradition and the world view of music helped him to create some of the most unique compositions for the Indian films. Ranjit Barot began his journey in the film industry in 80s as a featured drummer and arranger for the legends like Kalyanji Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and R. D. Burman. His works continued up to the era of Anu Malik and Ismail Darbar as he emerged amongst the most sought after arranger/ producers.
Ranjit Barot has been a significant part of some of the greatest works of A. R. Rahman over years. He has also had the honour of performing with the Maestro Zakir Hussain. Being a versatile drummer and musician he had unique collaborations with several artists like Hindustani slide guitar master exponent Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Carnatic violin maestro L. Subramaniam and Carnatic mandolin legend U. Srinivas. He has composed background music for many popular films like Fiza, Main Hoon Na, Cash, Black and White, Mere Baap Pehle Aap, Shaitan etc. He has also worked as a music director for many Bollywood flicks including Fiza, Qayamat: City Under Threat, Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, Sankat City, Acid Factory and many more. He has also lent his voice to many compositions in films like Shaitan, Main Hoon Na, Dus, Baabul, Aryan, Sankat City, Acid Factory etc.
Ranjit Barot"s debut album titled Bada Boom, released in November 2010, received great acclamations worldwide. It featured some of the great musicians from India and West. The album comprised a collection of Ranjit"s Jazz Fusion and world compositions along with performances of noted artists. Ranjit also served as the music composer and sound designer for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Delhi. He has also represented India at the India Inclusive showcase at WEF, Davos with his live performance in 2011.
Filmography of Ranjit Barot as a Music Director
Film |
Year |
Muskurake Dekh Zara |
2010 |
Brides Wanted |
2010 |
Acid Factory |
2009 |
Sankat City |
2009 |
Chhodon Naa Yaar |
2007 |
Urchagam - Tamil |
2007 |
Holiday |
2006 |
Chupke Se |
2003 |
Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost |
2003 |
Qayamat: City Under Threat |
2003 |
Fiza |
2000 |
V.I.P - Tamil |
1997 |
Oh Darling Yeh Hai India |
1995 |
Raakh |
1989 |
Filmography of Ranjit Barot as a Playback singer
Film |
Year |
Muskurake Dekh Zara |
2010 |
Brides Wanted |
2010 |
Acid Factory |
2009 |
Sankat City |
2009 |
Ru Ba Ru |
2008 |
Aryan - Unbreakable |
2006 |
Baabul |
2006 |
Pyare Mohan |
2006 |
Holiday |
2006 |
Dus |
2005 |
Main Hoon Na |
2004 |
Chupke Se |
2003 |
Shaitan |
2011 |
Oh Darling Yeh Hai India |
1995 |