EXCLUSIVE: Amrit Ramnath opens up about mother Bombay Jayashri’s near-fatal illness, his musical journey and 100,000 Dreams Tour ahead of debut Singapore performance

At just 25, Chennai-based musician Amrit Ramnath is making a splash in India’s music scene with his multi-faceted work — composing for films, playback singing and independent music. Son of renowned Indian singer Bombay Jayashri, Amrit will be in Singapore to mark his debut performance in the city-state at The Esplanade Recital Studio on the 8th of December.

Ahead of the event, a part of his 100,000 Dreams Tour, Amrit spoke exclusively to Connected to India’s Sudipto Maity, sharing various aspects of his musical journey, his mother’s near-fatal brain hemorrhage in 2023 and how he flipped the gloom into something productive.

Excerpts from the interview:

You grew up in a household surrounded by music and musicians. But tell us what it was like?

Growing up in a house full of music was incredible—it’s honestly the reason I have such a wide palette today. I was exposed to so many different styles, and it really shaped the way I think about music. There was always something playing, whether it was qawwali, Pakistani ghazals, classic Bollywood songs from the ’50s to the ’80s, or Carnatic music, which is such a big part of my foundation. At the same time, I was discovering artists like Radiohead (lots of Radiohead), The Beatles, and Michael Jackson. That mix of traditional and contemporary sounds just became part of who I am, and it’s definitely influenced how I approach making music.

What’s your earliest memory of you singing or performing?

One of my earliest memories of singing or performing was in the 4th grade. I was part of a lecture-demonstration with my mom, which was such a special experience. Being on stage with her at that age, surrounded by music and the audience, was probably the first time I truly felt the magic of performing.

How big of an influence has been your mother, Bombay Jayashri, in your career and musical journey?

My mom has been the biggest inspiration in my journey—not just for her incredible musicianship but for the sheer relentlessness it takes to be an artist. Growing up, I saw firsthand the kind of dedication, discipline, and passion she brought to her craft every single day. It shaped my work ethic and the way I approach my own work. Even today, she’s the first person I go to when I need advice or want to bounce ideas. Her guidance and perspective are invaluable, and she’s been such a constant source of support and inspiration throughout my career.

Now, tell me, is the tag of being Bombay Jayashri’s son a heavy one? What are the benefits of it and what are the downsides?

It’s not heavy, and it’s never felt that way. Being Bombay Jayashri’s son is an incredible blessing. There are no real downsides, but of course, people tend to see you through the lens of the legacy you come from. That said, I’ve been working hard to carve out my own niche, and it’s been really gratifying to see that effort being recognised. Having access to the kind of musical world and opportunities she’s built has been such a privilege, and for me, it’s about making the most of that and creating something that’s uniquely mine.

Tell us about your 100,000 Dreams Tour. What’s the meaning or the story behind this name and how long did you prepare before finalising it?

The name 100,000 Dreams came about because of what the EP stands for. At your lowest point, you imagine hundreds of thousands of different scenarios for how you might emerge from the struggle, but in the end, you’re faced with one lived reality. That’s what inspired the name 100,000 Dreams—capturing the contrast between the dreams we imagine and the reality we must confront.

I started working on the first song while I was in the hospital ICU with my mother, during a time when I didn’t expect it to turn into an EP. After a couple of months of her recovery, I began creating more intentionally, and the process stretched over five to six months, coming together disjointedly and yet organically.

You’ll be performing in Singapore on the 8th of December at The Esplanade Recital Studio. Have you performed in Singapore before? What are your memories like in the country?

I’ve never performed in Singapore before, so I’m incredibly excited! I have memories of me sitting behind my mom while she performed at Esplanade many years ago, and it’s surreal to now be on that stage myself. It hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but it’s going to be really special.

What’s your take on the music scene in Singapore?

The music scene in Singapore, I think it’s incredibly rich, especially in its little pockets of culture. People there take everything seriously in the best possible way and that extends to art and music. It creates a deep sense of cultural connection that I find very endearing. I’m looking forward to experiencing more of that during my performance!

You’re 25 and already a music composer. Not surprising considering the place you come from — Chennai. What’s so special about Chennai that it keeps on churning such talented young musicians? AR Rahman was 25 when he composed for Roja, Anirudh Ravichander started fairly young…

Twenty-five really seems to be the lucky number in this industry! Getting my break into music direction at that age was definitely a blessing. I think a big part of it is the intensity of Chennai’s culture. The city is so deeply embedded in its artistic roots, and the music scene there is pervasive — it draws people in. For me, the feeling of home is rooted in the environment of music my parents cultivated for me. There’s something about Chennai that attracts music lovers and musicians to move to the city; it’s a place where people come to connect with art and music, and that’s what makes it so special.

The movie industry in Chennai is also about partnerships between directors and composers or actors and composers. Rahman-Mani Ratnam, Suriya-Harris Jayaraj, Dhanush-Anirudh, Vignesh Shivan-Anirudh. Do you have any such wish to be a frequent collaborator with someone?

I have a long list of people I’d love to collaborate with! Though not always set in stone, the film industry in Chennai has such a rich tradition of amazing partnerships, and I would love to work with visionary directors and talented actors. Some of the phenomenal directors I’d love to collaborate with include Mari Selvaraj, Vetri Maaran, and Mani Ratnam — they’ve all created such impactful cinema with their unique styles.

When it comes to actors, I’d love to work with someone like Siva Karthikeyan, whose versatility is impressive. Also, I admire a lot of the finest films coming out of Kerala, so directors like Chidambaram, Anwar Rasheed, and Shyam Pushkar would be incredible collaborators as well. There’s so much potential for fresh, meaningful collaborations in the industry, and I’m excited to see what the future holds!

Let’s now move to something sombre — your mother’s illness. It must have been a difficult period for the household. What was it like for you personally and what’s the lesson you took out of it?

My mother’s illness was a life-altering experience — it brought about a complete paradigm shift in how I looked at everything. The whole period was emotionally chaotic but in the midst of that, music became my place of solace. It was the one thing I could turn to when everything else felt uncertain. My art became my way of expressing what I was feeling, the rawness of the moment. It taught me how powerful music and art can be, not just for sharing emotions, but for healing as well.

What’s in the pipeline for Amrit Ramnath?

I’m currently directing the music for my first Tamil movie starring actor Siddharth — his 40th film, which is really exciting! I’m looking forward to the release of the album hopefully early next year. Alongside that, I’ve been working on a lot of independent music, and I’m excited to share that with everyone soon. There’s a lot in the pipeline, and I can’t wait for people to hear what I’ve been working on!