Odisha Musician Rinku Sets The Tone For A Long Innings In Bollywood

Bhubaneswar: Smruti Ranjan Nayak’s love affair and journey with music began when he was 20. He started by learning to play the piano and seven years later, he is composing his own songs.

Though he had no plans to pursue music professionally, he is a successful musician today having worked with legendry singers like Asha Bhosle, AR Rahman, Hariharan and many more as a pianist.

But, this seven years journey was not at all easy for him.

Odisha Bytes spoke to pianist, music arranger and composer Smruti, popularly known as Rinku Nayak, about his journey, struggle and future plans.

“My father Sundar Mohan Nayak is a popular musician of Odisha. I started learning piano from him after Class X,” said Rinku, a resident of Jhagadpadhi in Balasore district.

Music soon become a passion and he started practising the piano for 18 hours a day. “But I never thought of making it my profession,” he said.

From 2010 to 2013, he participated in several musical programmes in Bhubaneswar. “Musicians, who were coming to Bhubaneswar, would advise me to try my luck in Mumbai,” said Rinku.

In 2013, Rinku finally decided to move to Mumbai. His father, however, was initially not very supportive of his decision.

“I somehow convinced my father and left for Mumbai with Rs 3000 in my pocket. When I reached Dadar station, I was completely clueless. I stayed with a friend for two days,” he said.

Rinku then had to share a room with nine persons. “There were days when I had to go without food and would cry like a child,” he said.

His father’s friend helped him get the first programme in Mumbai. “I played the piano in a small musical programme in a Jain temple,” he added.

Some musicians noticed his work and gave some assignments.

He continued to play during musical programmes and orchestra, till he got the first break with Abhijeet Sawant of ‘Indian Idol’ fame. “In 2014, I went on a flight for the first time for my first Bollywood concert. The programme was held in Jodhpur,” he said.

He then worked with the Indian pop-rock band Sanam.

“2014 was lucky for me. I got work with Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik. I travelled to Pakistan with them for a Bollywood concert. That was my first international tour. Then I performed with them in Dubai,” said an elated Rinku.

A viral video where he was seen playing a difficult piece, ‘The Flight of the Bumblebee’ won him an assignment with Asha Bhosle’s team before 2014 ended. “I toured the US with the legendary singer. Since then, I have visited the US 15 times and performed at many places there,” said Rinku.

He also played the piano in Asha Bhosle’s team for the World Music Festival for two years in Australia and New Zealand.

Besides, he has worked with popular singers Shankar Mahadevan, Javed Ali, Hariharn, Neha Kakkar, Tony Kakkar, and Sonu Kakkar.

“I went to Mumbai when I was 20 and in these seven years, I have become a music arranger and music composer. I picked several nuances in music after working with Asha Bhosle,” he said.

Talking about his upcoming project, Rinku said that he has composed music for a song penned by Kunal Verma. “I plan to rope in a popular singer. My aim is to become a music composer in Bollywood,” he said.

For those struggling for a foothold in the industry, he said, “Just stay focussed and work. Give respect to your parents and take care of them. Your dreams will be fulfilled.”