Meet DJ Roop, a dynamic software engineer by day and disc jockey by night. Known for his pulsating beats, this IT guy is now going to be storming the RISE Stage at Tomorrowland Music Festival in Belgium this year. Formally, Kaushik Das, he has a remarkable track record of winning six DJ battles across the nation and being a sought-after judge for events at top institutes like IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay and IIT Kharagpur. His performances at renowned college festivals and alongside musical legends such as Martin Garrix and Nucleya have solidified his reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
Currently serving as a faculty member at the Tomorrowland Foundation Music & Arts School in Kolkata, the DJ spoke to My Kolkata ahead of his upcoming Belgium opportunity. Edited excerpts from the conversation…
My Kolkata: Congratulations on making it on the Tomorrowland artiste line-up. How did you react on hearing the news?
Kaushik Das: On December 26 last year, I was working in my office at Tata Consultancy Services. I was a bit sad because I had no proper gigs locked for New Year’s Eve. Suddenly, in the afternoon, I got an Instagram text from one of the Tomorrowland employees, whom I had met during Martin Garrix’s visit to our school Tomorrowland Foundation Music & Arts School, Kolkata, asking if I was available on July 27, 2024. I said yes. That is when he revealed to me that they wanted to have me perform at Tomorrowland Belgium 2024. I was almost jumping inside my office! All my sadness was gone and I instantly called my parents and informed them.
The TCS software engineer is also a teacher at Tomorrowland Foundation Music & Arts School, Kolkata
How did you get the opportunity?
As I am already giving DJ-ing lessons to the girls at Tomorrowland Foundation Music & Arts School, Kolkata, I am in a way connected to them (Tomorrowland team). So, they know me and we have personally interacted a bunch of times. But undoubtedly, there has always been constant support from the school management and our students. The live shows that I have done in the past were mostly concerts or college festivals, which deal with a huge number of audience members. It has always given me an edge. I have already performed at Sunburn Goa, where I opened for legends like Martin Garrix, Justin Mylo and more, and it probably made them think that I could be suitable for this opportunity.
How are you preparing yourself and your set?
I have planned to wear a kurta or an Indo-Western style outfit and groom myself, as I am representing India. I have planned to play songs which have English vocals that will help the audience to connect. The other sounds will include some Indian and ethnic essence, because I don’t want to be just another DJ. I would like to take Indian music around the world.
Will you be able to give us details about which stage and what music you will be playing?
My act is on July 27 at the RISE Stage where the Yves V presents V Sessions will be hosted. I have plans to support Indian producers by playing their original songs during my set.
‘I don’t want to be just another DJ. I would like to take Indian music around the world,’ says the musician
Who are some of the artistes you’re looking forward to meeting or listening to at Tomorrowland?
Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Hardwell, Alesso, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Afrojack and many more. I have plans to stay at the festival for all three days of the second weekend. I hope I will be able to meet all the legendary artistes that are performing at the festival so that I can talk to them and bring back some values for our schoolchildren in Kolkata.
What does it mean to you personally and professionally to be playing at Tomorrowland?
This is actually a dream come true moment for me in every aspect. Every DJ in the world dreams of playing at Tomorrowland, at least once in their lifetime. And I am going to achieve it at a very young age (25). It means a lot to me that I am going to be the first person from eastern India and the fifth Indian to perform at Tomorrowland.
How do you plan to represent your unique style and cultural influences from Kolkata on stage?
I have a plan of playing a remix of at least one popular Bengali track or maybe a Rabindrasangeet. But I will say that the audience should expect surprises in my set. I am currently working on them. I have never done something like this in any of my gigs before and if I am able to execute it properly at Tomorrowland, that will be the biggest-ever influence.
