Aspire to Inspire | The Journey of Mohini Dey

Developing talents has been a common topic amongst parents and not many know how to do it. Often with an idea of what their children are highly interested in, parents get confused about the best strategy to get the best from their kids. This was, however, not the case with the now-famous bassist Mohini Dey who had the ideal mentor in her father. In this blog, we explore how vigorous training, guiding and connections have led to the success of Mohini.

Music has a power of forming the character and should therefore be introduced into the education of the young- Aristotle

The Early Years: A Musical Prodigy

Mohini Dey was born on 20th July 1996 in Mumbai, India. Both her parents are Musicians. Sujoy Dey, her father is a bassist and her mother Romia Dey is into classical Hindustani Vocals. Sujoy was a session musician and when Mohini Dey was born, financially their family was struggling and barely managing to survive.

But that did not stop Sujoy from noticing the interest Mohini had in music. By the time she was 3 years old he made a handmade bass guitar small enough to be played by such a young child. Sujoy nurtured his daughter’s talent and by the time she was ten, she got her first professional instrument – a Fender Jazz Bass guitar and was already accompanying her father to the studio for recording sessions.

School and teenage life to Mohini was different from most other children as she admits it was difficult to match up and understand the mindset of her classmates most likely because she was already working and had a different exposure to life.

She had to balance her academic life with music and in 12th grade, she travelled a lot between Mumbai and Chennai where she was part of A.R.Rahman’s band. The night before her board exams she spent time doing music recordings and sat for the exams right after arrival from the airport.

The Signature Style: Fusion of Cultures

From her Indian roots gelling with Western traditions, she created a fusion of innovative sounds. Her Basslines, techniques, and soulful expressions show her musical brilliance. Mohini breathes and lives music as her whole family is involved in the music industry, even her younger sister Esani who is a guitar player, and her husband a saxophonist.

By the time she hit her teenage years, Mohini was gaining popularity from the musical videos that were uploaded to her YouTube by her father. Her career was on the rise as she contributed to the works of keyboardists like Louis Banks and Bollywood stars like Suchitra Pillai. Her early versatile bass training contributed to her natural inclination towards rhythm and melody opening up a diverse field for her career.

A Journey to Stardom and Contributions

While she was getting familiar with the music world and the instruments, stardom knocked on their gates. Her father was part of a recording with T series and he asked her to participate and the director liked her role. This was a clear indication that Mohini was studio-ready and a meeting with Ranjit Barot was arranged by her father.

Ranjit Barot is a music composer, producer, and much more hence a perfect mentor to the young artist. In this meeting, Mohini impressed Ranjit by playing the bass guitar to a few of Viktor Wooten’s tunes. Barot accepted to take her under his wing and would perform with her on gigs across Mumbai and eventually feature her in his 2010 debut album Bada Boom.

Since then, every tab has been fitting the jigsaw for Mohini with performances in different concerts from 2013. After being reluctant to release her first solo work, Mohini released her self-titled album in 2023 and it features different music genres and collaborations with various musicians across the globe and has described the album as showcasing her music journey. She has been receiving invitations from various artists to collaborate on various entertainment gigs and has made as much time as possible for this.

Mohini’s contributions go beyond the musical stage to being a mentor. She’s among the top musicians in India with her being named as the most successful musician under 30 by Forbes India. Achieving such feet can only be an indication of more glory to come and this is a good motivation for all young artists who admire her.

Starstruck

Having grown through the limelight, getting star-struck is not easy. Some cases are however unforeseen and at the age of 10, Mohini was mesmerised on realising that. His father had taken her to the Prithvi Theatre where she would be playing alongside Zakir Hussein. She has repeatedly said that Sujoy Dey is her mentor and always keeps her interested and helps her improve.

Work-life balance

This involves maintaining a harmonious relationship between your work and personal life. It involves consciously managing your time and energy to meet both professional and personal goals and to artists like Mohini, this balance has to be healthy.

She is very close to her sister Esani both at family and professional levels and has been quoted saying that they’re more than sisters. Mohini Dey, finding harmony between career and family, fosters strong bonds with her husband, Mark Hatsuch, and nurtures a close relationship with her widowed mother. Sujoy Dey passed away in the year 2023.

Siddarth Dubey teaches Guitar on MUSIC MASTER platform attended a Guitar workshop conducted by Mohini Dey. According to him, she is one of finest bass players of our generation and is a very friendly person.

In his words,

“Meeting the legendary bassist Mohini Dey is an experience that transcends mere admiration for her musical prowess. As she strides into the room, her presence commands attention, yet her warm smile instantly puts everyone at ease. Engaging with Mohini is like entering a realm where passion for music knows no bounds. Her humility belies her extraordinary talent, as she effortlessly weaves intricate melodies and rhythms with her bass guitar, captivating audiences with each note. Witnessing her perform live is akin to embarking on a sonic journey, where every pluck of the string resonates with soul-stirring emotion and technical brilliance.

Beyond her virtuosity, meeting Mohini Dey offers a glimpse into the mindset of a true artist dedicated to her craft. In conversation, her insights into music transcend the technical aspects, delving into the profound connection between sound and emotion. She shares anecdotes from her journey, offering glimpses into the challenges she has overcome and the inspirations that fuel her creativity. Through her words and music, Mohini inspires not just admiration, but a profound appreciation for the transformative power of music. Meeting her leaves an indelible mark, igniting a renewed passion for music and a deep-seated respect for the artistry she embodies.”

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future

Mohini Dey has no boundaries in musical expression, the world eagerly awaits to see what the future holds for this stunning artist. In conclusion, whether Mohini Dey is infusing traditional Indian ragas into a jazz composition or adding a funk to a classic, her versatility knows no bounds. Mohini Dey’s music goes beyond languages connecting globally and receiving huge appreciation. She is a beacon of bright light to all the upcoming artists.