Piyush Mishra: Every song I write is a dialogue with my audience

Piyush Mishra is all set to make a powerful comeback with Aarambh 2.0, a one-of-a-kind multicity tour presented by The Times of India and powered by BCCL’s flagship brands — The Times of India Metro Supplements, Maharashtra Times and NavBharat Times.

The show, an evolved version of his celebrated act Aarambh, will feature his band Ballimaaraan. The band will take the stage in Mumbai on November 7 at Shanmukhananda Hall, bringing their reimagined sound and energy to audiences once again. Reflecting on what sets this edition apart, he says, “We have evolved. New songs have been added, the music has changed, there are new experiments and a fresh perspective. We have the experience of three tours in India, two in America and one in Europe.

All these experiences have shaped Aarambh 2.0. Wohi same gaane ke saath aap kitne shows kar sakte hain? If you don’t sing them differently, you’ll get bored yourself.”‘The X factor lies in live performance because that’s where real experimentation happens’He shares that the freshness of Aarambh 2.0 lies in reinterpretation. “Like in theatre, you can deliver the same dialogue in many ways. The same applies here. The novelty is not just in new songs but in how you perform them and make them sound better than before.

The X factor lies in live performance because that’s where real experimentation happens,” he says, adding, “People have such high expectations from the band that we cannot afford to fall short.

”‘The process and conversations between songs are crucial’While Mishra earlier performed in intimate venues, he now plays in large stadiums, yet he says the essence of Ballimaaraan remains rooted in connection. He explains, “Regardless of where we perform, communication with the audience is the most important thing.

I am a theatre person; I know how to communicate. All my songs are written like dialogues, where punctuation matters more than expertise. The process and conversations between songs are crucial.

That’s how we’ve held our audience, especially the youth. Hamaara band bada hone ka dikhawa nahi karta, yeh audience ke nazdeek jaata hai.”‘Our songs are not cinema songs. I call it modern theatre music’He also rejects the notion that today’s youth are detached from literature and culture. He says, “If that were true, these songs would not have been accepted by the youth. They are not cinema songs. I call it modern theatre music, though not in the traditional sense, because it is performed on stage. Theatre songs don’t use many instruments. These songs are not the kind people have heard before or can hum easily. It’s an independent collage of unique compositions, meant for those who listen deeply and have the courage to experience something new.

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