# Ranjit Barot

Ranjit Barot (born January 1, 1959) is an Indian film score composer, music director, music arranger, drummer, and singer based in Mumbai, India. He is a longtime associate of A. R. Rahman.
He has been described as one of the "Leading Edges" in drumming, by John McLaughlin.

## Early life and background

He was born on January 1st, 1959, into a family deeply rooted in Indian music and dance. His mother, Sitara Devi, was a kathak dancer from Varanasi. His father's origins are from the state of Gujarat. His daughter, Mallika Barot is a successful vocalist.

## Career

Barot has also had a long career in composition and music production, working out of his own studio facility in Mumbai, at which point he also started working together with Bruce Swedien, who mixed Ranjit's songs on Vande Mataram 2 and Senso Unico, an Indo-Italian feature film. Bruce has greatly influenced Ranjit's musical life and approach to a lot of his contemporary work.
His journey in the music industry started in the 1980s, and he has been a featured drummer and arranger for industry giants such as R.D. Burman, Laxmikant–Pyarelal, Kalyanji–Anandji, continuing through the eras of Anu Malik and Ismail Darbar, and into the present, as an arranger and producer.
Ranjit has often performed with Zakir Hussain, including a Masters of Percussion Tour of the US and Canada. He collaborated with various artists such as U. Srinivas, L. Subramaniam, and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt as a drummer.
At the Jazz Yatra '80, he performed with the Jazz Yatra Sextett and also performed with Pandit Ravi Shankar's ensemble, Jazzmine, featuring John Handy, George Adams, and Mike Richmond of Mingus Dynasty.
On the Jazz Sextett's first European tour, Ranjit met Don Cherry, with whom he became friends. This connection eventually led to a joint performance at the 1982 Jazz Yatra in Bombay.
His approach to drumming and use of vocabulary have been shaped by a diverse range of artists across genres and traditions. Influences include Indian classical percussionists such as Ustad Allarakha, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Palghat Raghu (mridangam), Karaikudi Mani (mridangam), Palnivel (tavil), Hari Shankar (khanjira), and Sridhar Parthsarthy (mridangam, hand percussion), as well as jazz and fusion legends like Billy Cobham, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Steve Gadd, Omar Hakim, Al Foster, and Peter Erskine. He also draws inspiration from global drumming traditions, such as the African Djembe, Japanese Taiko, Middle Eastern Darbuka, and Latin Conga and Bongo styles. Notable contemporary percussionists and female artists, including Sheila E., Terri Lyne Carrington, and Evelyn Glennie, have also significantly influenced his rhythmic sensibilities, enriching his holistic approach to drumming.
His collaborations with musicians abroad have included performances with artists such as John McLaughlin, Jonas Helborg, Ayden Esen, and Tim Garland.
He has been inspired by the work of guitarist John McLaughlin and was featured as the drummer in his Grammy-nominated album Floating Point.
In 2001, he won the Filmfare Award for best background score in Aks.
In 2011, he won all three major Indian music awards for his work in Shaitan.
Ranjit released his debut album, titled Bada Boom, worldwide in November 2010. This album is a collection of Ranjit's Jazz Fusion and World compositions with performances by Ustad Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, U. Srinivas, U. Rajesh, Scott Kinsey, Matt Garrison, Wayne Krantz, Dominique Di Piazza, Harmeet Manseta, Taufique Qureshi, Sanjay Divecha, Tim Garland, Gwilym Symcock, Ayden Esen and Elie Afif, among others. Ranjit has been the Music Composer and Sound Designer for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 and represented India in his Live Performance at the "India Inclusive' showcase at WEF, Davos 2011. He played for the opening of the Hockey World Cup in 2019 and was Jammin (Season 2) and MTV Unplugged's (Season 1 & 2) music producer. He leads the band AR Rahman Live.

## Filmography
### As a background music composer

* Shaitan (10 June 2011) (Released)
* Thanks Maa (5 March 2010) (Released)
* Yeh Mera India (28 August 2009) (Released)
* Toss (28 August 2009) (Released)
* Sankat City (10 July 2009) (Released)
* Mere Baap Pehle Aap (13 June 2008) (Released)
* Tashan (25 April 2008) (Released)
* Bhool Bhulaiyaa (12 October 2007) (Released)
* Black & White (7 March 2008) (Released)
* Cash (3 August 2007) (Released)
* Aryan: Unbreakable (15 December 2006) (Released)
* Tathastu (12 May 2006) (Released)
* Dus (8 July 2005) (Released)
* Main Hoon Na (30 April 2004) (Released)
* Rishtey (6 December 2002) (Released)
* Hathyar (18 October 2002) (Released)
* Aks (13 July 2001) (Released)
* Fiza (8 September 2000) (Released)
* Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa (2000) (Released)

### As a lyricist

* Brides Wanted (2010)

### As music director

* Muskurake Dekh Zara (23 April 2010) (Released)
* Brides Wanted (2010) (Stuck/On Hold)
* Acid Factory (9 October 2009) (Released)
* Sankat City (10 July 2009) (Released)
* Chhodon Naa Yaar (5 October 2007) (Released)
* Urchagam – Tamil (2 September 2007) (Released)
* Kanna - Tamil (2007) (Released)
* Holiday (10 February 2006) (Released)
* Chupke Se (12 September 2003) (Released)
* Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (22 August 2003) (Released)
* Qayamat: City Under Threat (11 July 2003) (Released)
* Hathyar (Background Score) (18 October 2002) (Released)
* Fiza (8 September 2000) (Released)
* V.I.P – Tamil (13 June 1997) (Released)
* Oh Darling Yeh Hai India (11 August 1995) (Released)
* Raakh (1989) (Released) (external links)
* One Heart: The A. R. Rahman concert film

### As sound designer

* Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa (2000) (Released)

### As a playback singer

* Muskurake Dekh Zara (23 April 2010) (Released)
* Brides Wanted (2010) (Stuck/On Hold)
* Acid Factory (9 October 2009) (Released)
* Sankat City (10 July 2009) (Released)
* Ru Ba Ru (12 September 2008) (Released)
* V.I.P (Tamil) (1997) (Released)
* Aryan – Unbreakable (15 December 2006) (Released)
* Baabul (8 December 2006) (Released)
* Pyare Mohan (21 April 2006) (Released)
* Holiday (10 February 2006) (Released)
* Dus (8 July 2005) (Released)
* Main Hoon Na (30 April 2004) (Released)
* Chupke Se (12 September 2003) (Released)
* Shaitan (2011) (Released)
* Oh Darling Yeh Hai India (11 August 1995) (Released) (external links)

### As an actor

* 99 Songs (2019); shot in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil