World Music Day 2019: This Delhi-based artist's music school covers it all — from drum lessons to music production to singing classes

Anurag won the Artist Aloud Music Award by Hungama in 2014 where he was nominated alongside famous musicians like Honey Singh and Kailash Kher

For Anurag, music is the best way to express and entertain people| Pic: Express

For this independent musician what matters most is that he doesn't give in to the directors' or producers' demands of changing his music in a way that he feels it will ruin the purity of the piece. Ask anyone who knows him and they'll tell you that Anurag Dixit seldom gives in to the whims of the industry.

Anurag, who began his musical journey at the tender age of nine, used to play music and composed songs all by himself. An important element in his evolution was the musical atmosphere he experienced at home, as his father used to play songs every now and then. "My father is a music lover and he used to listen to all kinds of music when I was growing up. My grandfather was also fond of music and he gave me my first formal music training," says Anurag. Although none of his family members was in the industry, they were supportive throughout.

Anurag's earliest exposure to the industry was through musicians and their concerts. He attended classical concerts by renowned singers like Usha Uthup and Kavita Krishnamurthy, Zakir Hussain and Pandit Ravi Shankar. His first commercial release was Dil Hi Dil Mei — a pop song written, composed and also sung by him. "Since it was the first time my song was on MTV and other platforms, the experience can’t be explained in words," he adds.

A musician's journey is never easy. Similarly, his journey too has been a roller coaster ride. During his initial days, he recorded for television serials and slowly worked his way up the ladder and soon produced a Hindi pop album called Sounds Gr8!! He then went on to produce another album Laakhon Aasman that was introduced by Universal Music. Anurag has a YouTube channel which has a huge count of followers — around five million. His most recent song Tum from the album Laakhon Aasman garnered 1.2 million views.

The 29-year-old artist is also the director of Musicology School of Music and Performing Arts in Noida. He owns a company called Musicology Productions, which is involved in producing different music and drama-related educational events."Since 2003, we have trained over 15,000 students in a wide variety of courses. Through our teachers’ training programme, we have trained over 100 teachers who are working as ‘Musicology certified associates and affiliates’. The kind of syllabus we follow is a first of its kind in India. It covers basics and fundamentals of music in a step by step, graded manner. It also includes proper technical exercises, basic concepts, music theory, ear training and songs. The syllabus also includes Indian classical ragas," he explains. They also offer certificate courses for vocal music.

For Anurag, music is the best way to express and entertain people and it is something that gives him divine peace.

Music can transform you in many ways and yes it has changed my life completely. Practising music or performing music is just like meditation and on top of everything creating music is the ultimate bliss. I receive messages from my fans telling me how my music changed their lives — I think that’s the best thing for an artist. One person told me that my song Mann saved him from ending his life, as he was going through a tough phase after losing his parents and business. That’s the power of music

Anurag Dixit, Musician

Anurag won the Artist Aloud Music Award (AAMA) by Hungama in 2014 where he was nominated alongside famous musicians like Honey Singh and Kailash Kher. Anurag has also earned fame internationally and he is featured as the first FL Studio 'Power User' from India, along with international stars like Deadmau5, Afrojack, Martin Garrix and Avicii. His message to anybody who is aspiring to become a musician is to "follow your passion and don’t hesitate. In this age of instant gratification, don’t forget that it’s still important to invest time and effort in your skills. It’s a competitive age, train yourself, equip yourself and try to stand out."