Confused? That’s how our first impression was too. But as they say, first impressions are not always the last ones. A Dog Without A Bone is the musician Nihar Manwatkar’s stage name. Having gained a lot of wisdom from his years as an entrepreneur and marketeer, he moved on to music and how. In this tête-à-tête with Nihar, he tells us all about this transition and more.

Photo Credits: A Dog Without a Bone

Why 'dog without a bone?' How did you come up with the name?

Nihar: Because half the time people don't really get my name right. So I figured I might as well give them something they can pronounce easy and won't forget.

As for how I came up with that name, I honestly have no idea. It just popped up one day and resonated strongly with where I was at that point in life, so I decided to stick with it. Also The Tallest Man on Earth is one of my favorite musicians. So if he can be that, I thought I could be this.

Are you a dog lover? Ever had pets?

Absolutely, 124%. And yes I've had two amazing dogs who were more than just pets to me. Family, would be a better way of putting it.

Tell us more about them!

My first love was a German Shepherd who was with us for seven years. The second one was an abandoned cross breed in Delhi, and a few of us in the neighbourhood took care of her together. She was definitely the luckiest dog on the planet. Got food and love from four different houses, and a nice warm bed at night in my house.

What kind of music do you do?

I’m a singer-songwriter mostly for now (if I can call that a genre). Have done a few covers with my own spin to it. I also keep collaborating with some friends on a few songs at some of my live sets.

Photo Credits: A Dog Without a Bone

What has been your inspiration for your performances and music?

CID, the Sony TV version. The emphasis on the obvious facts glaring at you straight in the face drove me to do what I do. But mostly my own experiences, people I've randomly met, people I've loved, some fictional stories that my empty mind keeps coming up with at times (nothing beats CID though). Can I get their t-shirts anywhere?

Your all-time favourite artist?

Leonard Cohen.

How did your first stage performance happen?
A really drunk night in November, but at this really awesome place in the mountains (Old Manali) called Drifter's Inn. The owner, I think, wanted to get rid of his guests that evening. So we came up with a plan to play a screeching 2-hour set of lame covers with a couple of songs I wrote that same day. Surprisingly people liked it!

Photo Credits: A Dog Without a Bone

How/where can one get your album?

WIP, which is just a lame way for any musician to say "I have no effin clue." Although I do have some home recordings on my YouTube channel and also my Instagram profile, where I keep uploading random riffs. Till then catch me live at my shows.

Anything else you want to talk about to our readers?

Yeah. Global warming, farmers’ suicide,  crimes against women, traffic issues, our education system, absurd living costs for the common man, public spitting, corruption, deaths due to water and food shortage across the world, growing number of unhappy and unsatisfied souls, religious fanaticism, Interstellar and many more things. Not sure this is the right forum though.

The wit wins! Follow him on Instagram or get a flavour of this musician’s magic on YouTube.

Featured Photo Credits: A Dog Without a Bone