Swar Aalap has been established with the aim of bringing name and glory to the artistes who have worked behind the scenes in the Indian music industry. Countless instrumentalists, arrangers and assistants have toiled for some of the loveliest of  recorded songs that we continue to enjoy to-day.

Similarly, there are a number of lyricists, singers, music directors and accompanying artistes who have given excellent output but failed to receive the recognition which was due to them.

Swar Aalap is committed to the cause of recognizing these contributors and restoring the share of credit which is rightfully theirs.

The lord's touch...

- Kushal Gopalka

'Buji' Lord is a much familiar name in
music circles. Definitely so, in India. And also internationally. Maybe, it's due to the heavyweight musical family he comes from. Maybe, it's due to the 12,000 + songs he's recorded. Maybe, it's due to his diehard fans who had formed the Buji Lord Fan Club years back. Then, maybe it's due to his several foreign tours with and without the topmost singers and composers of India. Or maybe, it's simply his mind blowing music which sets your feet and soul dancing.

One thing is clear. This supremely talented 'world class' musician cannot blow his trumpet. Ask him about his achievements and musical career and you will find the shy stalwart uncomfortably struggling for words. While severe efforts have been made by Kushal Gopalka to extract a decent career sketch of a highly sought after instrumentalist of the Indian music industry, omissions may please be pardoned.

Kushal: Starting your career in 1958-59, you went on till the next 30 years. That was a long innings in the music industry.
Buji Lord: Yes, but, the last three years were spent between Gujarat and Mumbai and were musically less active.

Kushal: What was it to learn from your father, the legendary rhythm player Cawas Lord?
Buji Lord: He was a hard task master. When I was practising he used to come from behind and pull up the drumsticks from my hand. If they came away from my hand, I'd get struck with them on my knuckles and that really hurt.

Kushal: Speaking of Nayyar Sahab, I remember you mentioning earlier that you learnt many things from him. Will you share something about him?
Buji Lord: Certainly. It was he, who told me to give the strokes of the Vibraphone when singers take a breath or when there were pauses. This was in contrast to the regular technique of giving strokes to the beat of any song. (Demonstrates this, singing Jaaiye aap kahaan jaayenge...).

For complete article please refer to The Unsung Heroes - Volume 1