National Award-winning music composer Shashwat Sachdev recently reflected on the people who shaped his journey, saying that every milestone in his career is the result of the unwavering support and sacrifices of his family. The Dhurandhar, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Veere Di Wedding and Article 370 composer spoke about the role his parents, sister and wife have played in helping him pursue music from a young age.Born in Jaipur, Shashwat began learning Hindustani classical music at the age of three under Ustad Ramzan Khan before later receiving formal training in Western classical piano.During the conversation, he first acknowledged his parents for dedicating their lives and resources to his musical education.“You praised me a lot, but I think that praise actually belongs to my parents. They sacrificed so much throughout my life. Whatever they earned was either spent on my music education or on raising me and my sister,” he said on Shekhar Suman’s talk show Shekhar Tonite. Shashwat also revealed that his sister set aside her own passion for music so that he could continue training with their guru.“My sister used to learn music with me. But because boys and girls sing on different scales, when I was around 11 to 13 years old, she stopped learning so that I could continue. My guru had only that much time, and she loved music deeply. The credit should go to her sacrifice.”He went on to praise his wife, saying she has contributed just as much to his achievements as he has.“When I moved to Mumbai in 2017, my wife sacrificed a lot. It would be unfair if I took all the credit and said, ‘Look what I’ve done.’ She has put in the same amount of hard work.”For Shashwat, success is not an individual accomplishment but something guided by a higher force. “I think there is a divine energy that chooses you to be a vessel. It would be egotistical of me to say that I did it all because even becoming that vessel wasn’t my choice.”Opening up about his personal life, the composer shared that he and his wife, Magic, have known each other since they were children.“Magic and my parents have been friends since childhood. We almost grew up together. I fell in love with her before she fell in love with me, and I got married very early in life. When we moved to Mumbai, we were living in a very small one-bedroom apartment. She has worked just as hard as I have. She has a very sharp ear, and I take her critique on my music very seriously. That’s one of the things I admire most about her.”Recalling how his musical journey began, Shashwat said his parents enrolled him in training not with the intention of making him a composer, but to instill discipline.“My guru, Ustad Ramzan Khan, started teaching me when I was just three years old. I was his only student because he developed a special affection for me. My parents wanted me to learn music so that I would stay disciplined.”He added that his parents continue to keep a close eye on his life and career even today.“My parents keep a close watch on me and what I’m doing. They make sure I’m in good hands and that I remain grounded.”In an earlier interview with The Times of India, Shashwat had shared that his childhood revolved almost entirely around music. Instead of spending time outdoors, he remained at home learning, practising and understanding both Indian and Western classical traditions because his mother maintained a disciplined routine.“I have always been a little reclusive,” he said, adding, “The world I explored most intensely in those years was the world within music.”
