That’s what the deeply emotional and humble Ramesh Vinayagam said to me when I was asked what music I listen to.
Just like any other convert to ‘good music – ARR music,’ I’d seasoned my ears only to A.R. Rahman’s productions, even when I enrolled myself in a sound engineering ‘college’ in Chennai. I met Ramesh at his home ten years back, and he encouraged and inspired me with his words and later through some of his compositions.
What stays with me to this day is his advice to keep listening to any and all kinds of music. He, too, was an ardent lover of Rahman’s works but stated the importance of listening to the world of music being produced every minute.
It was only after that meeting that I started listening to all genres of music, which was a bit too hard to dilute initially. But then, that helped me understand music, instruments, singers, songwriting, genres, tone, timbre, richness, mixing elements, and more.
Love your favorite musician, put posters on your walls, and overstock your collection of music.
But have that one song that you must give a listen to, unbiased with no comparisons or comments.
Let it grow on you for a while; try to learn and pick something new from it.
Ramesh Vinayagam is a music composer settled in Chennai, known for his romantic yet fun score for Nala Damayanti and a few more.