Piyush Rajani | Singer | Performer | Music Director | Interview With TheTalkStreet

Piyush Rajani, a dynamic singer, performer, and entertainer from Mumbai, India, gained national recognition as the runner-up on the first season of India's Got Talent. He leads "Piyush and The Fine Tuners," a Bollywood-fusion pop band known for their electrifying live performances at weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings across India and around the world.

His latest show concepts include “Vedic Symphony: Blissful Wedding Chants” and “Hungama: A DJ-Based Live Band”. He also performs solo, specializing in genres such as Retro, Pop, Sufi, Fusion, Unplugged, and the latest Bollywood hits.

Renowned as one of India's top fusion bands, Piyush and The Fine Tuners are celebrated for their innovative music with percussion, customizing their performances to meet the unique needs of their clients.

  Tell us about your background and what inspired you to pursue careers in singing, influencing, and music direction .

I come from an upper-middle-class family in South Mumbai, where my father is a retired businessman. I completed my B.Com from Jai Hind College. From a young age, I had a natural talent for playing musical tunes on my small Casio keyboard, but it wasn't until the end of school that I discovered my passion for singing. This passion continued to grow during my college years, where I participated in talent shows.

I'm a huge fan of Falguni Pathak, Michael Jackson, and Kishore Kumar. My inspiration to pursue music as a full-time career came from watching Falguni Pathak on stage. Her remarkable talent for transforming garba songs into extraordinary performances with her band had a profound influence on me. I also wanted to travel and see the world, and music offered the perfect opportunity to do so.

After graduating, I decided to try my hand at live stage shows as a singer and began connecting with event organizers. It took time and patience to establish myself in an industry filled with talented singers, but I eventually made my mark. My journey began by freelancing with the great artist Shri Kishor Manraja, where I learned about different musical genres and how to connect with diverse audiences.

  How did you get started in each of these fields?

After several years of performing as a freelance artist, I made the bold decision to form my own band, which we lovingly named ‘The Professionals.’ Our music genre primarily focused on Bollywood, Gujarati, and Punjabi songs. Initially booking the occasional wedding sangeet events, we soon gained popularity through word of mouth and found ourselves performing regularly at weddings. Despite facing rejection on reality talent shows, we persevered and eventually formed Piyush and The Fine Tuners. Our breakthrough came when we were the runners-up on India’s Got Talent Season 1, judged by Sonali Bendre, Shekhar Kapoor, and Kirron Kher. Our unique performances, featuring percussion instruments like kitchen utensils, bathroom tubs, and wooden sticks, inspired by the international band Stomp Out Loud, helped elevate our visibility and increase our demand for weddings and corporate events.

  Who were your major influences or role models growing up?

My grandmother introduced me to the beauty of traditional rituals through our daily puja sessions, where she would chant ancient mantras. Growing up, I was immersed in the melodious tunes of Bollywood legends like Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, and later discovered the enchanting sounds of pop music icons such as Euphoria and Lucky Ali.

  How do you balance your roles as a singer, influencer, and music director?

With 25 years of experience mastering the stage as a singer, I am constantly improving with each passing year. Our recent musical creations, Hungama - a DJ-based live band, and Vedic Symphony: Blissful Wedding Chants, have been met with success. I focus on composing music for my YouTube channel and crafting bespoke brand anthems and jingles for corporate clients. The Vedic Symphony has seen the release of three albums, featuring reimagined traditional chants and mantras available on various digital platforms. My time is divided between turning potential inquiries into performances, entertaining audiences, and creating new content.

  What does a typical day look like for you managing these different careers?

My schedule is filled with turning potential inquiries into performances, entertaining audiences, and crafting new content. Balancing work with family life and watching my children grow keeps me busy, but I always strive to make time for more opportunities.

  Can you describe your process for writing and composing music?

I am a classically trained vocalist with a natural flair for composing music. One notable project I worked on was creating an instrumental track for the Netflix series Navarasa, produced by Mani Ratnam. While the renowned Mr. A.R. Rahman was the main composer for the series, my band was selected to perform a captivating act for an episode titled VEERA. Thanks to our appearances on India's Got Talent, we are often sought after by production houses for daring percussion performances that involve being rigged and suspended mid-air. I was tasked with composing a 3.5-4 minute instrumental piece for one such act, focusing on a blend of rich melodies and rhythms.

  How did you build your following as an influencer?

Honestly, there's only one formula: consistently creating and posting content. The rest, as they say, is beyond anyone's control.

  What type of content do you find resonates most with your audience?

Experience the magic of our live band performances in our showreels.

  What are some of the biggest challenges you face in juggling these three careers?

Live performances are essential to my livelihood, and staying on top of marketing is crucial to ensure a steady flow of shows. In this competitive landscape, balancing promotional efforts with creative pursuits can be challenging, but it's a necessary part of the journey. The time spent on marketing sometimes takes away from my ideal composing time, but it's all part of the process.

  Can you share a significant setback you experienced and how you dealt with it?

After facing challenges in my career post-2015, I found that show inquiries were scarce. The industry landscape shifted, with reality show singers, event managers, wedding planners, and decorators influencing clients' artist choices. However, I never lost hope and continued to innovate by consistently creating content. Adapting to online corporate events during COVID and launching two new musical products afterward helped me navigate the tough times. My stage experience remains a key differentiator in this industry.

  How has social media influenced the music industry?

The size of our audience is continuously expanding, and I see it as a sign of growth and a chance to connect with a wide range of people.

  How do you see the role of influencers evolving in the entertainment industry?

Influencers are paving the way for the future, thriving as long as they continue to innovate their content and maintain a consistent posting schedule.

  Can you share any memorable collaborations you've had as a singer, influencer, or music director?

I have had the pleasure of hosting various Netflix and live shows for esteemed corporate clients such as Ultra Tech Cement, NPCI, HDFC Ergo, and ICICI Bank. Additionally, I have showcased talents on India's Got Talent, organized performances for Alkem Pharma, and conducted events in international locations like Kobe and Poland. My experience as a judge on USA SA RE GA MA for ZEE TV has been unforgettable. Not to mention, I had the honor of performing at the star-studded launch of XXX Movie in Mumbai, graced by the presence of Vin Diesel and Deepika Padukone. The range of my accomplishments knows no bounds.

  What types of projects do you enjoy working on the most?

I love opportunities where I can tailor the performance to suit the client's preferences. Performing at Navratri for 10 days and the pre-rehearsals with the entire band are moments that I truly cherish.

  What do you wish you had known when you first started in these fields?

Producing content in advance and leveraging the power and significance of social media channels.

  Are there any new directions or ventures you’re planning to explore?

Our current focus is on increasing live performances throughout the season and expanding our loyal fan base. Additionally, we aim to consistently produce engaging content in a strategic manner.

  Can you share a personal story or experience that has had a significant impact on your life and career?

Learning humility can sometimes be a challenging journey, but the growth that comes from it transforms you into a better version of yourself. Clients and organizations will always appreciate the good person you are before recognizing your talent. Past experiences with my organizers have taught me invaluable lessons in my career. Despite being a beloved and sought-after artist, I have faced setbacks only to be welcomed back after many years. This taught me the importance of humility, gratitude, and the realization that an artist's success is closely tied to the support of their organizers and clients. Without them, the stage we stand on wouldn't be possible.

  What do you enjoy most about each of your roles?

The diverse experiences and reactions we encounter with different audiences around the world are truly remarkable. Our live performances leave a mesmerizing impact that resonates long after the show ends. The journey of creating an original tune, arranging it, and bringing it to life through recording is an incredible process.

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