Meet the artist Manu Singh Panwar

Manu singh Panwar’s Interview: “Sirmaur and Himachal are special parts of my life.”

Lost in Sirmaur is a music project started by Manu Singh Panwar and Nripender Singh Panwar.

Manu singh is the Lead Vocalist of the band and handles the rhythm guitar section, Nripender singh is the Lead guitarist, Himanshu Bhandhari handles the keyboard, while Sandeep Vyas is the base guitarist and Amit Raj Kashyap is the drummer of the band.
Lost in Sirmaur’s origin is from Sirmaur a district in Himachal Pradesh. The band is based in delhi.

His music is also written and composed by him. He loves to write and he also writes short stories; and also wants to publish his book of short stories. He is an inspiring soul and such a down-to-earth personality and very humble man. He believes one should not run after money and follow the crowd. we’ve gotta one life only, so live it for your dream.

Making a big life change is scary. But, know what’s even scarier?
REGRET.

In a candid conversation with Manu Singh Panwar; let’s know more about Manu Singh Panwar.

We would like you to give a brief introduction to our Readers.

Manu Singh Panwar is the name. Born in Sirmaur. I have done my schooling from Chinmaya Vidyalaya and then DAV Public School Solan. I did my Bachelors of Technology in Electrical Engineering from Green Hills Engineering College. And to tell you, I am from the first ever Batch of GHEC. (wow! glad to know this.)
We are three brothers, one sister-in-law and a nephew, my grandmother and my parents in our family. My hobbies are to play basketball, badminton etc. and I love trekking and Music interests me the most.

Tell us from where did you learn Music. How the Idea of making a band  come up? How your band was formed?

I have interest in music since my childhood. I used to participate in singing competitions in my school days. I always wanted to do it. I was in love with the music.

A long story follows
I went to DAV college(sec-10) Chandigarh after my 10+2 and that was my chance to form a band. I used to spend whole of my time in music and attended no classes. As a result, a letter was being sent to my home about the reports of my attendance.

My father and brother came and I was sitting in my hostel balcony; when I saw our car, I arranged books from other mates and sat on my bed pretending if I was studying. I didn’t have even bought the books.

They came and just asked me about my stuff; packed it and we returned to home.He then told me that you will now go to Green Hills. I tried to form a band there but it was a failure.

One more interesting story (all Ghecians must know this!)

We formed a band with one drummer, one at keyboard and three singers and went to NIT Hamirpur. Oh God! it was such an embarrassing moment.
I took part in Solo singing competition, I won that but our band, don’t even ask 😀

But I would call it a learning experience. I came to know where do I lack and helped me a lot to improve myself.

After my B.tech, I went to Delhi in search of a job so that I could work towards my dream.

Then I went to Chandigarh, bought guitar with my pocket money and learnt to play it from my friends. Then I went to Delhi, worked at Wipro and learnt Indian Classical Music from Guru Arun Devnath.

Then I somehow did some shows with some bands and when my brother came to Delhi from Bangalore after completing his law; we formed a band.
I left job after 1-2 years and now I devote my whole time to Music.

What is your next project?

Our first album is in production. And there are five songs in it. The first debut song titled “SAWAAL” will be released around Diwali this year & rest of the songs will be released in the first half of 2018. All the songs are written and composed by me and my brother.

What do you like to do outside of music that contributes to your musicality and rejuvenate your creativity?

Travel and trek, writing short stories and watching movies.
If I wouldn’t be a musician, I would have been definitely a mountaineer.

What are your musical influences?

Lucky Ali, A R Rahman, Pandit Jasraj, Rolling Stones, BB King, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix and many more.

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Your genre.

I would not like to define our genre but we like to call our music Indie folk blues.

Lost in Sirmaur is the name of your band. Why you chose this name?

As Sirmaur is my Birth place, it has played a big role in my life; towards my music and in the process of making me as a musician.

I always write lyrics on the basis of incidents, emotions related and inspired from my own life.

The thought of music started from Sirmaur; when I was lost in Sirmaur; when I didn’t have any Idea of Band but the light of music was there within me and Sirmaur has given it to me.

One of my composition has a line, ” Hum toh khoye-khoye rehte hai Sirmaur mein”. Its a lovely composition!

Where have you performed? Any memorable show.

We have performed at many places across the country. We regularly perform at clubs and live music houses.

We performed last year at International Fair of Renuka, Himachal Pradesh. It feels great to perform in your own state. And last year we performed at an function held by Govt. Of India under the campaign “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” at Connaught Place, Delhi.

When was this band formed? 

This band was formed in 2013.
Before Lost in Sirmaur, I have worked with many bands and have done many shows.

What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time or any spontaneous time?

We practice at my home. I have a little studio at my home.
We practice everyday for five hours at night. Sometimes it extends up to 10 hours and sometimes for the whole day.

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What has been your biggest challenge as a band? How have you been able to overcome that challenge?

Biggest challenge is to be unable to showcase our own music.
People in India only want to listen to Popular Music & that takes away the originality of Musicians. This is the problem of every musician who comes up with their independent music.

Addressing all the independent musicians & all young talents, we do not have platform to show our originality and creativity.

This still is a challenge and now I have started to perform less shows and wholly dedicated on the record of my music and its release.

What’s your ultimate direction for your band?

I want to release my own music as I’ve mentioned earlier. But my main motive is to contribute to Independent music industry. Its not flourished here; kinda tough job as we don’t get much support for independent music in India unlike the rest parts of the world.
Most popular music in India are the songs from our Bollywood. I want this system to be changed so that every talent gets an opportunity. I want to raise Indie music to a bigger level in India.

What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

Work hard & Practice.
Work hard at home. Practice your skills. Don’t be in hurry.

You should run for perfection, not for success.

and yes Don’t Quit.

You support.

My family and my friends.

Last few words.

The best thing one can do in life is neither to make lot of money nor it’s about being successful; it is about living your dream.
So, try as much as you can to live your dream. Follow your instincts and work hard.
Thank you for your time.

Thank you WeAreHimachali 🙂

Image source: Respective owner

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