Marking a mark

It is always heartening to see a youngster dream of making it big as an artiste and it is even more heartening when you see him take the first significant step towards realising that dream. A few years ago, Jaydeep Bagwadkar was just another computer engineer toiling hard in Dubai. But inside his heart he had always harboured a dream of becoming a singer. Winning local music competitions like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Middle East, Zee Middle East Antakshari and 89.1 FM's radio Star whetted his appetite for a full-time musical career. What he needed was the right break.

That opportunity came his way when Marathi singer Vaishali Samant invited him to join her troupe after he sang at a Maharashtra Mandal Dubai event. It was a crucial do-or-die decision for Jaydeep professionally. But he chose heart over mind. Quitting his job, he landed in Mumbai to pursue his musical goals.

Over the past year, Jaydeep has performed with Samant in several live shows in India and in the GCC. He has also recorded many Marathi TV serial title songs and released his first independent Marathi music album titled Shikkaa Jaideepchaa (meaning Jaydeep's Stamp) on October 15. Fittingly, the album was released at a function organised by Maharashtra Mandal Dubai. One thing is clear: Jaydeep Bhagwadkar is a man on a mission. Let's hope Shikkaa helps him in boosting his career. 

The album

Bhagwadkar, indeed, has a fresh, youthful voice that is thankfully devoid of any other popular singer's influence. He has a good vocal range which can do justice to both urban and folk-styles of songs.

Composer Nilesh Moharir's varied fare taps Jaideep's versatility. The album begins with a soft romantic ballad Manaatalyaa Manaatale that hits the right modern notes and sports the now fashionable Marathi - Hindi mixed lyrics. This ‘crossover' lyric styling is then mostly followed throughout the album. Among the other romantic numbers like the pensive Ek Saanj Dokaavate and a Latino-influenced Ye Paas Ye, the Jaydeep-Vaishali Samant duet Chal Go Paaro stands out. Particularly impressive is Jaydeep's handling of folksy songs - a devotional Ganpati Gunpati and a Gavlan (a Marathi folk music form) Kanha Layee Shaanaa. However, the title song Shikkaa and the final song Tadipaar fail to appeal. But as it is a first effort it's worthy of encouragement.