Multi-instrumentalist Raghav Sachar masters his 44th instrument; reflects on his journey, and collaborating with Bhagyashree: ‘She sings very well'
'I'm excited to figure it out soon,' he told indianexpress.com, 'I just have this knack for picking up new instruments and learning them quickly. It gives me so much joy and satisfaction.'
Sachar, who is completely self-taught, believes each new instrument he takes up builds on the musical intuition he's developed over the years. 'I kind of know what I have to do. Somehow, I figure my way around it, and it starts flowing naturally. It's definitely a god-gift; it's rare to pick up an instrument and grasp the nuances so quickly,' he said.
Looking back: A life shaped by music
Sachar recalled how at age 12, he received a metallic flute as a birthday gift –– a tradition his father began, promising a new instrument every year. 'The flute took me the longest to learn. Just blowing into it and getting a note is complicated and comes with a high failure rate. But once I cracked it, I really enjoyed it. In fact, it's now one of my major instruments,' he said.
He describes his instruments as his 'children': 'I take care of them, I'm very possessive about them. The communication I share with them is sacred, very personal. If I'm bored with one, 43 others are waiting patiently.'
Sachar's multi-instrumental videos – where he shifts between different instruments mid-performance – have also gained popularity. 'Every instrument gives a different vibe. I've even done the same song across several instruments. Those got massive traction.'
His current personal favourite is the saxophone. 'I express myself best with it. It was also my major instrument during my Bachelor's in Music,' he said.
On working with Bhagyashree
One of his recent collaborations – with actor Bhagyashree Dassani – went viral, where she sang Dil Deewana while he played multiple instruments in his studio. 'Bhagyashree ma'am is amazing –– gracious, polite, loving. It didn't feel like our first meeting. She sings very well, and it was an honour to do such an iconic track with her. We're already planning a sequel reel,' Sachar told indianexpress.com.
He sees such collaborations as a 'second innings' powered by social media. 'These reels help me reach people who might have seen me years ago but lost touch. I can now control the showcase. It's helped me reach musically inclined audiences who may not have known I play 40-plus instruments. The love I've received is phenomenal. I'd love to collaborate with Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal… they're on my bucket list,' he said.
Who inspires him?
For each instrument he learns, Sachar looks up to the legends in that genre. 'For soprano sax, I love Kenny G. For alto sax, Charlie Parker. For flute, Jethro Tull. In jazz-rock, I follow Dave Weckl and Incognito. R D Burman is a huge inspiration in Bollywood, and Rafi sahab, of course, for vocals. I challenge myself with every new instrument, and that keeps me going,' he said.
Music, he said, demands full commitment: 'This is not a 9-to-5 job. It has to be your whole and soul. Consistency is key in this field, failures far outnumber success. You have to do it for the love of the art, not the money. Though, money does follow.'
What's a typical day like?
Even with a packed schedule of concerts, recordings and meetings, Sachar tries to make time for his family and practice. 'I'm not able to practise all the instruments anymore. There's just no time. In my student days, I used to practise for 12-14 hours. Now, I stay sharp by playing them during performances and recordings,' he said.
His daily routine starts at 6–6.30 am with his children. 'I drop them off for school, then head to the studio by 10 am and work through the day. No breaks. I get home by 6.30–7 pm, spend more time with my kids, and then with my wife. On travel days, the routine gets disrupted,' Sachar said.
A post shared by Raghav Sachar (@raghavsachar)
For him, unwinding is by being with 'family, planning something with my wife and chilling with my kids'. 'Cycling or going on a drive, or just being with them. It gives me a lot of joy. We love travelling a lot so it is fun to be around the kids. It is a lot of positivity and energy that keeps me going in the studio,' Sachar said.
Fitness, mental health, and music
If not a musician, Sachar said he might have been a golfer, or even a Formula 3 driver. 'I got an offer in Class 11 to join F3 racing, but my parents didn't allow it. I love sports — golf, swimming, squash,' he said.
He's equally passionate about physical fitness: 'Some instruments are physically demanding. I started experiencing aches and neck issues around 35–40. Now, I ensure I hit the gym or swim every day except Sundays when I get a massage to relax my muscles.'
Mentally, music keeps him grounded. 'Playing these instruments is meditative –– the focus it requires helps me stay positive. I've also become more content in my 40s. I don't chase what I can't control anymore.'
Why every child, and adult, should learn an instrument
Learning an instrument, according to Sachar, is like having a lifelong companion and stress-buster. 'In the West, it's mandatory for students to pick up an instrument. That's a phenomenal practice. Unfortunately, in India, this isn't common. Even casually learning an instrument relaxes you and teaches you how hard consistency and performance really are.'
Sachar is also of the opinion that instrumental music doesn't get its due in comparison to vocals. 'India is vocally driven — everyone can hum or sing, so it feels accessible. But the moment you need to learn notation or technique, people tune out. Very few understand how difficult it is to master an instrument. It's an out-of-body experience, unlike vocals, which feel more 'in control',' he said.
One for the books
At one point, Sachar played 17 instruments in under a minute —'a glimpse of which,' he said, 'will be showcased on social media in a few weeks.'
Jayashree Narayanan writes on fitness, health, aviation safety, food, culture and everything lifestyle. She is an alumnus of AJKMCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia and Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi ... Read More
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