My Creative Hero: The Beatles
Mukund Olety is probably the only senior creative in the world with extensive India, China and South-East Asia experience. With a career spanning over two decades, he has worked in some of the world’s biggest and most diverse markets.
Currently, Mukund Olety is the chief creative officer of the VML Network in India. He leads a team of over 200 creatives across three offices. Mukund is excited by all things new – technology, culture, things, ideas and believes diversity breeds creativity. Never the one to lie low, Mukund has worked on a host of envy-inducing brands. His work on these brands have won him over a hundred awards globally including a Cannes Lions Grand Prix.
To give back to the industry, he has served on jury panels and partnered with various local and international organisations to mentor young creatives.
When it comes to my creative heroes, there's no contest — it's The Beatles. What blows my mind about The Beatles is their audacious creativity. They didn't just make music; they revolutionised it. They pushed boundaries, toyed with genres and weren't afraid to tackle complex themes. Their songs were more than just catchy tunes — they were emotional journeys, thought-provoking narratives.
My first encounter with their magic was as a wide-eyed teen rifling through my friend’s mixtape collection. I stumbled upon "The Best of Beatles." The harmonies, the melodies, the lyrics — they hit me like a lightning bolt. Each song, from the upbeat "Love Me Do" to the poignant "Yesterday," was a revelation. I was instantly swept up in the whirlwind of Beatlemania.
As I grew older, my admiration for The Beatles deepened into something more profound. I never met John, Paul, George or Ringo, but I felt like I knew them through their music. I devoured every documentary, every interview, every biography I could find. "The Beatles: Eight Days a Week" offered an intimate glimpse into their journey, their creative process, their evolution. It was inspiring, to say the least.
What truly fascinates me about The Beatles is not just their audacious creativity, but also the dynamics between the band members. They had four distinct personalities, each bringing something unique to the table. Yet they managed to blend their individual talents into a harmonious whole, creating a sound that was greater than the sum of its parts. This synergy, this ability to collaborate without losing one's identity, is something I strive to emulate in my work as a creative person.
Their songs were more than just catchy tunes - they were emotional journeys, thought-provoking narratives. Songs like "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," with George Harrison's haunting melody and Eric Clapton's soulful guitar, are pure magic. Or "All You Need Is Love," a simple yet powerful anthem that resonates even today. And who can forget the hopeful strains of "Here Comes the Sun"?
Then there's the experimental, India-inspired "The Inner Light." It shows their versatility, their willingness to step outside their comfort zone and embrace different cultures, different sounds. They had this constant quest for innovation, this refusal to be boxed into a single genre. It's something I strive to emulate in my own work — to keep pushing boundaries, to keep exploring new ideas.
Of all their performances, their impromptu rooftop concert in 1969 encapsulates the essence of The Beatles. Unannounced, unexpected, they took to the rooftop of Apple Corps in London and played what would be their last public performance together. It was bold, it was rebellious, it was quintessentially Beatles.
There's a whole library of Beatles tracks that I keep on repeat, but "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" always stands out. Each track is a testament to their genius. It's a constant reminder of what I'm striving for in my own work: to create something that doesn't just stand out, but stands the test of time.
