Rianjali: “Just F*cking Do It”
Rianjali
Tell us about the origins of your journey as a South Asian creative. What led you down this path? What motivates you each day to do what you do?:
I’m born and raised in NYC, and my parents are Bangladeshi and Indian so music was a part of growing up. But it was never thought about more seriously than singing in front of family friends and maybe at the most, in college. So for most of my life, I didn’t even dare to dream that my passion COULD become my career. I never related to the kids that said they’d been dreaming about this moment their whole life. I I set out to become a psychologist. I got my Bachelors and my Masters, worked at a domestic violence non profit organization until I was 25 years old. In the mean time, heavy misuse of my voice for several years led to me losing my voice over time, which naturally led to the stop of music in my life overall. I eventually found out I had polyps on my vocal cords and was fortunate enough to get the surgery to remove it and recover.
That moment made me realize how much I had been taking for granted. I began writing music again, singing again, working the muscles out again – with still no intention of making it my career, but knowing I didn’t have a choice.
When I was 25, I got the opportunity to meet A.R. Rahman, the Oscar winning composer behind “Slumdog Millionaire” – he had heard an original song of mine and invited me to come to India to work for him. After a few months of thinking it over, I quit my job, and took the chance. What was supposed to be a 3 month experience, turned into my life. I learned everything about composing, music supervising, and being a part of big projects such as Netflix’s Daughters of Destiny, the major motion picture “Blinded By The Light” and even got a chance to write for artists like Bishop Briggs and U2. I can go on for a while but I’ll stop by saying - there is no part of my journey I expected, and I’ve really come to love that.
In your own words, why do you make your art?:
Initially, I had no idea what I was doing so it was to try and learn. Somewhere towards the middle, it was to prove to people who didn't believe that this would go anywhere, that they were wrong. And now, 7 years later - I do it because I have to. It's been practiced into my body every single day and I see how important it is for the next generation to see that realistic job prospects in the creative space exists for South Asians. At this point, I have to keep going.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement thus far as a South Asian creative?:
Something very tangible was being able to write for U2 and A.R. Rahman and perform with them in Mumbai. But overall, as cheesy as it sounds, I'm proud of the fact that I never actually quit. I've thought about it - a lot. But I feel like I've proven my worth by sticking around long enough to do the work.
Who or what is your creative “role model” and/or serves as the greatest influence on your work?:
This might sound crappy but I've really never had a role model and I'm realizing that I never really looked for one. I feel like I found my ambition after 25. Many times, I go back and think about my younger years and I wish I could shake myself for just letting so many things pass by. But I honestly didn't know any better and didn't have the right guidance. But if there is someone who has given me a chance which influenced the rest of my journey, it certainly was A.R. Rahman.
What is your creative “mantra?”:
Just f*cking do it. Nike said it too, it's true though
Desi culture often perpetuates disapproval of creative work as a full-time profession. Have you ever faced any backlash or internal/external barriers to your creative endeavors?:
OH BOY. Yes yes and a thousand times yes. From parents, to aunts and uncles, to family friends who you literally don't even talk to anymore to people watching from the sidelines to sometimes organizations in our own communities and outside of it. There have always been people who think I've been volunteering my time, that I wasn't carrying 3 separate jobs at once to maintain my bills, who were always shocked when I got a major credit on a film. My dad still doesn't really understand what I do. Rejection after rejection from major companies who would say "We love her voice so much! Just don't know what to do with her yet". I came up in a lonely time - there really wasn't anyone else around. I'm seeing that slowly change though - we're not there yet, but we'll get there.
What do you envision for yourself in your future as a South Asian creative?:
I'm building that dream as we speak - I have a production company that makes unscripted and scripted works, I'm signed on score my first 2 feature films next year, and I'm releasing new music very soon. I'm producing a feature length documentary as well. The dream was always to just be surrounded by this work all the time. My future just looks like all of this stuff expanding. I never wanted be famous, I just want to be known for my work so that's the goal.
What is your advice to aspiring South Asian creatives looking to explore their own artistry - but not necessarily having the resources or the support to do it?:
The best thing I've ever done was get out of my shell and reach out to as many people as I possibly can. Ask questions, email, start with internships when you're young (because you have the time and energy), take the unpaid freelance things to build your resume. Just do it all. Constantly expand your skillset and I promise you, by the time you're my age - you'll have so much more than I ever did.