Sitting in the left corner of my balcony, enjoying the abendrot sky with a hot cup of tea, listening to my favorite playlist on Spotify, I could identify Job Kurien’s voice without much delay. Job Kurian’s blessed voice and music have marked a defining moment in the independent music genre of India.
Knowing Job Kurian
Job Kurian is a playback singer and music composer of the Indian Film Industry. With quite a good number of playback songs and original compositions, Job has established a firm grip in the independent music scenario. His influences include great musicians, for instance, the Iron Maiden, Chris Martin, Kavalam Narayana Panicker Sir, Kailash Kher, Sukhwinder Singh.
Early Years
Job Kurian was raised in a musically inclined family. Job’s father who wasn’t fortunate enough to learn music wanted his son to receive a formal training in music. From a very young age Job was given training in Karnatic music which continued for a period of 12 years. His journey as a musician started soon after his BTech graduation in Instrumentation. His experience with the band Green Heart helped him to outshine in the TV reality show “Super Star” hosted by Amrita Television in the year 2006. Job as a budding artist faced financial struggles and it is after a great swot that his first Album -Thalam in collaboration with Yakson Gary Pereira churned out. At the age of 25, he took a break for three years from the industry to get himself trained in piano. While asked about the stigma regarding age limits in music education, Job says that “the drive for music has no age barriers, just hold on to it, trust and follow the passion.”
Music Enhancement
Working with most of the experienced music directors and recording more than 40 songs, has proven to be admired in the field of music. He has shared the stage with Avial the band, Shankar Tucker band and with some other amazing artists. The identity that Job has carved out so far is immensely distinct. Thankfully remembering all his Gurus, he
acclaims that his ear is his greatest teacher. Job is a musician without constraints of a particular genre alone. He rather admires every soulful music.
As a composer, he waits for the right situation or experience to transport him to the land of sounds, be it his best friend’s transformation story that happened en route a trip to the Himalayas (plot of his song Padayatra) or be it his nostalgic childhood ( which is portrayed in the song Mulla), Job’s music comes from the bottom of his heart and is
emotionally attached to each one of his songs. In 2018 Job was awarded the Best Independent Musicianat the Manprama Music awards and his work – Hope Project was awarded the Best Independent Music Project at Indywood Music Awards. Everyone who has witnessed Job performing live has always returned home high-powered in bliss. Job Kurian on stage is indeed a ball of fire. When he was asked about his mantra, he says it solely is his originality with no mere spec of imitation. He always transcends emotionally into the crowd. He says performance is all about connection.
Hurdles
Just like anyone else, Job had struggled with his mental health. He struggles from issues of anxiety every time he is on stage, but once the show begins Job admits that he is blessed to be a whole self. He explains live performances as a triangular mystery fastened between the performer, the crowd, and God. His anxiety isn’t any bigger than his love for entertaining and performing. Growing up as an introvert, he credits it to his fans and the crowd for changing him into a party animal. While he avows that he is a person with OCD, he gracefully embraces it and uses the most out of it to create a flawless piece of music.
Job Kurian – a magical gift
Job believes that authentic piece of art should be one’s aim than an eye of recognition and fame. In the fullness an authentic work do one fetches awards and accolades. He trusted his instincts and went forth following his passion. Job is to be respected for every baby steps he dared take in the field of music. Being visionary, Job dreams of a time where art is never compared and competed upon. And is optimistic that one day all musicians will come out of their insecurities as selfless human beings.