I want to make a lasting impression: Raju

Raju Singh seems to be consummately living his profession not only when he is officially working but also when he is not.
For those who are baffled, need to hear this soft spoken man who with his gentle and rhythmic tone of voice epitomises the term music to the ears. No wonder, his music in films like Chandni Bar, Kalyug, Woh Lamhe, Gangster, Corporate, Krazzy 4, Jannat and many more wielded magic over listeners.Son of Charanjit Singh, an immensely talented musician, we asked Raju the obvious: Was he gifted with this beautiful art form or it was the rigourous training? ���When I started playing I felt it was my hard work and there is nothing like music in one���s blood. But now when I see my children pick up music, I feel it���s a little bit of both. I���d like to give due credit back to my father.���
For someone who has been part of the music industry for a long time, what trends has he noticed? ���A major change in the whole thinking procedure of music was brought about by AR Rahman. He understood technology and used it to his benefit. When it comes to lyrics, Javed saab, Gulzar saab, Prashoon Joshi and likes have kept respectability in their lyrics,��� he says.
Raju���s music in Raaz ���The Mystery Continues is a chartbuster already. ���The moment we finished background music for Aawarapan, Mohit Suri and I sat down and composed some songs. The Bhatts liked them when he heard them and decided to use them for Raaz.... The O Jaana number has been inspired from Gypsy King���s Al Camino right?, ���Gypsy Kings��� music has a format. It does not have an antra or a mukhda. We loved the notes and picked it up. We thought it would be unfair not to give them credit and coaxed Bhattsaab to buy the rights,��� he says.
What is the difference between ���inspiration��� and ���copying���? Where does one draw a line? ���If you don���t make any changes and just put in Hindi words, that���s not inspiration but literally using it in the same format. Music is very subjective and it is up to an individual to gauge the difference. If the credit is given to the original guy, then no harm is done to anybody,��� he avers.
When we ask him about his long term goals, he says he���d like to do ���timeless music that lasts longer than the shelf-life of the film. I want to create music which makes a lasting impression. And I am yet to discover that magic potion which will let me create music that���s evergreen.���