Ranjit Arapurakal
Interview
with Kam Williams
Jersey-Raised
Rocker on World Tour Takes a Pause for the Cause
Born
in his mother's hometown of Trivandrum, India, the terra
cotta-colored capital of Kerala, Ranjit
Arapurakal spent his infancy in Vienna and Frankfurt before
being raised in New Jersey from the age of 4. Today, the versatile
vocalist, composer, multi-instrumentalist and
music educator is based in Goa, India, and is currently on an
extended tour across Russia.
The
Jersey boy started playing rock music in high school and never
stopped, except for slowing down a bit to earn a bachelor's degree in
Literature with honors at Rutgers University. After graduating, he
migrated to NYC where he honed his stagecraft, while working as a
jazz singer, session musician, bartender, open mic host, dance
accompanist for Alvin Ailey, Juilliard and several other leading
dance academies, and as a music teacher for infants and their
parents.
Visit
Ranjit's recently-launched Patreon page to help enable folks all over
the world to follow and support "Ranjit Arapurakal's World Peace
Tour."
Kam
Williams: Hi
Ranjit,
thanks for the interview.
Ranjit
Arapurakal:
It's
my pleasure. Kam. Thanks for reaching out.
KW:
When did you develop an interest in music?
RA:
I
started
singing in the church choir when I was 7 years-old, and I enjoyed it
from the start. But I was drawn to the mysteries of sound even before
that. There was a lot of music in the house.
KW:
How
would you describe yourself, musically?
RA:
As
a psychedelic singer/songwriter. But it changes all the time. As a
multi-instrumentalist, I get to play with many different musicians in
many settings. My comfort zones include Funk, Groove, Soul, Reggae
and Rock & Roll. And I'm delving into Psychedelic Rock and live
Techno at the moment.
KW:
Do you
prefer playing solo or with a group?
RA:
I don't
have a preference. Both have their own unique charms as well as
limitations. When you can communicate with other musicians the same
way you can communicate with yourself, you get the best of both
worlds.
KW:
I
enjoyed listening to a lot of your songs, especially "Lonavala,"
"That's My Name" and "Since the Start." What is
the source of your inspiration when creating a tune?
RA:
The
songs usually just bubble up from my subconscious or inner voice or
paramatma. Some songs are about love and some are about the
environment, from fracking to the Dakota Access Pipeline. I also have
a penchant for post-apocalyptic love songs, as a genre.
KW:
You
hail from New Jersey, but perform in India and elsewhere around the
world. Where do you like playing the most?
RA:
I
have been based in Goa, on India's west coast, for the last three
years. The music scene there, as well as the audiences and the
beautiful nature, are what made me stretch out what was originally
meant to be a two-week holiday.
KW:
You
play both guitar and piano. What is your favorite instrument?
RA:
My
favorite instrument is the human voice. It's easy to transport and
can touch, directly, the soul of any listener.
KW:
Who are
some of your musical influences?
RA:
Lenny
Kravitz, The Doors, Blues Traveler, Caetano Veloso, Michael Jackson,
James Brown, Fela Kuti, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Chopin,
Fauré, Monteverdi, Frank Sinatra, The Band, The Beatles, Antonio
Carlos Jobim, Santana, Terrence Trent D'Arby, Bob Marley and the
Wailers, Gil Scott Heron, Motorhead, The Cure, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne,
Phish, and Dave Mathews Band, to name a few.
KW:
What was the last song you listened to?
RA:
It's
been ages since I listened to a song. I was recently exposed to some
Russian minimal techno, but these are not songs; more like moody
soundscapes.
KW:
What is
your earliest childhood memory?
RA:
I
remember my nursery school at All Saints Church in Princeton, NJ.
Mrs. Weatherall had a pair of gray rabbits in a cage in the garden.
And apple juice and graham crackers. It was paradise!
KW:
What is your favorite dish to cook?
RA:
Most
recently, carrot-ginger soup.
KW:
When
you look in the mirror, what do you see?
RA:
I
see a guy who's ready for showtime!
KW:
What's
the craziest thing you've ever done?
RA:
Aside
from being born yet again on this plane of reality? Nothing.
KW:
If you
could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?
RA:
A
global end to state-sanctioned violence against the vulnerable and
the environment.
KW:
Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone
would?
RA:
Yes.
Whether I have any ideas about how we can help save our planet. Yes I
do! I think that we need to raise awareness about pollution and
sustainable habits in daily life and in industry. I believe in
volunteer community clean-ups. And in sharing resources. I believe in
a sustainable way of life that seeks to be in tune with nature on a
local, planetary, and cosmic level. I believe that just as we can
receive healing from the Earth and Nature, so can we give them
healing back. And so we should!
KW:
Finally,
as Samuel L. Jackson asks in the TV ad, what’s in your wallet?
RA:
IDs,
ATM cards and Russian rubles.
KW:
Thanks
again for the time, Ranjit, and best of luck on your Russia tour.
RA:
I
enjoyed this very much, Kam. Cheers!
Ranjit
named one of India's best dressed musicians by GQ magazine:
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