INTERVIEW: Bob Marley’s son Rohan finds Indian music inspirational

New Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS) Rohan Marley, son of legendary Jamaican musician Bob Marley, says he has always been fascinated by Indian music, especially with Bollywood tracks. He has formed a spiritual connect with the country much before he landed here.

Bob Marley took reggae music to a new high and is credited with spreading Jamaican music across the world. Rohan admits he could never be drawn as close to music as his father, the music legend for an entire generation, was.

“I follow Indian music and I am a fan of Bollywood also. My father has a huge fan base in Indian subcontinents and this is the reason why we are connected with the country since very long,” Rohan Marley told IANS during his visit.

“What I love about Indian music is the sound and the instruments. It is very soothing, spiritual and inspirational,” he added.

Rohan was on a business trip to India, his maiden visit to the country, bringing the House of Marley audio products to the country.

He loved every bit of the trip and said: “The food and the essence of the people is wonderful. India as a whole mobilizes the colours of the universe.”

“I love to walk around streets and see the people. It is intriguing to be in India because India is a spiritual place. Physically this is my first visit, but spiritually (it is) not.”

A former football player−turned−entrepreneur who has five children with musician Lauryn Hill of the Fugees, Rohan, 40, feels India is a conducive market for House of Marley audio products, which range from in−ear and on−ear headphones to portable speaker docks.

A student of sociology, Rohan was an avid sportsman, but says he never felt motivated to choose music as his career.

“I always loved football and I have grown playing football and cricket. I never got the focus towards music. I was never passionate about strings in instrument. I still remember the day when I was gifted my first guitar when I was nine years old and I just had no clue what to do, so I just put it down,” he said.

“I love music. But I never thought of having a career in music. My career revolves around representing House of Marley In India and abroad. My father has always been my idol. He is my hero and I learned so much from him,” he added.