When Bulla Ki Jaana burst onto our airwaves and made its creator, Rabbi Shergill, an overnight sensation, few knew of the struggle it had been for the musician to even release it. First, his self-titled debut album was supposed to be released by Sony, a deal that fell through. Then, Tehelka’s Minty Tejpal expressed interest, only to have a spanner in the works in the form of financial constraints. Finally, Rabbi’s album had its release on Phat Fish Records in 2004.
Considering his phenomenal success on the independent music scene, it might come as a surprise to his fans indeed, to know that Rabbi had to go through somewhat the same struggle for his latest album III, out in stores now. Completed in mid-2010, its launch occurred only last month, because the musician was unable to find the right backer. “It seemed like life had wound back to 2003,” the singer admits. “I can’t honestly say I was unaffected (by the delay). In fact, I try to hold on to the hurt and let it be my guide in the hope that it will lead me to some sort of catharsis…”
This chanelling of his feelings into healing , music etc is something Rabbi has touched on previously as well. In fact, the musician was once quoted as saying that he needed to “get depressed” to be able to write a song. But the statement was more the consequence of “laziness of articulation”, the singer says, adding, “Perhaps what I didn’t manage to say was that, as an artist, I need to find intensity, some clear moment of truth. It is only those moments that I can turn into songs. Melancholy, introspection are just dimensions of this intensity.”
These moments of truth can be deeply personal, or they can be reflections on society — a mix that is evinced as much on III as his two previous albums. But the musician can’t quite explain just why certain people, phenomena or themes trigger off the creative process within him. “I get inspired through connection to things. The terms of this engagement are mysterious, abstract and unconscious even to me. I suddenly realise one day that this is a song I want to make. Why? I don’t know,” Rabbi says.
His extensive reading also helps. For instance, it was the poetry of the 18th century Sufi mystic, Baba Bulleh Shah, that helped Rabbi come up with his groundbreaking Bulla Ki Jaana. The song touched on the tendency to think about life in terms of boxes, until we attain enlightenment. Rabbi says he still hasn’t managed to transcend those “boxes”. “I am hemmed in many a time,” he admits. “However, the writings of some very smart people — John Zerzan , Theodor Adorno, Fredy Perlman, Nanak — do help me soar above my boxes, if only for a bit. I think the spirit within us is infinite, and what I ‘know’ can only be an infinitesimal fraction.”
Rabbi may believe that the journey between his debut album and III has made him “less innocent”, but it certainly hasn’t changed his attitude. “Keeping things simple is vital to what I do. In many ways, I feel like I’m a diarist, a photographer. I can’t come in the way of the subjects too much lest they get distorted. But I do bounce off the walls every now and then,” says Rabbi.
Being more “high profile” would also mean losing that part of him which is most important, believes Rabbi. That probably is the reason why he’s refused most Bollywood offers. Rabbi quips, “Sure, I’ve been tempted. But as for succumbing, I’ll consider it once the results come home.”
For the time being then, Rabbi is more than happy focusing on III, and collaborating with a range of artistes. The Dewarists featured a collaboration with Papon, while III saw Rabbi mixing it up with rapper J. Nu on the track Cabaret Weimar. “I really enjoy collaborating with others, it’s a real joy to work with people who are on the same page as you. While we’re on the subject, I’d say that technical collaborations deserve way more credit and attention than they do at present. I’ve been shaped a great deal by my collaborations with K.J. Singh, the producer for many of my songs,” Rabbi says.
Rabbi defies typecasting, but not for want of trying on the part of the music industry — and listeners. But ask him about whether he’s ever felt that people wanted him to subscribe to a certain image they had of him, and pat comes Rabbi’s reply: “Yes! The ‘S’ word.”