Where were you born? How was your childhood? Where are you based now?
I am from Nainital, a cute little hill station in Uttarakhand and was born and brought up there itself. It was wonderful to grow up in a cozy beautiful town in a family of four. I was easily the naughtier between me and my elder sister; while she was this disciplined, sincere student at school, I was the complete opposite at the same school and showed a clear disinterest in behaving well.
I am now in Mumbai – I came here for my Masters in Music after completing school at Nainital and then college at Lady Shri Ram, Delhi University.
One distinct memory from your childhood.
This is a naughty one – back in school, when I was in 2nd and my elder sister was in 6th, I scribbled some lyrics from the then popular song“ Aankh Mare, oh Ladka Aankh Mere” from the movie Tere Mere Sapne onto the last page of her assignment notebook without her knowledge. Once, during a surprise check, her teacher caught it and scolded my sister for indulging in such behaviour despite being a senior. My sister argued that she was unaware of this, and that it was probably her younger sister who did it, upon which I was called by the teacher. That’ s when I lied and said I had no knowledge of the entire incident. Ultimately, my sister received a slap from the teacher for“ bullying me and lying to her”, which she transferred on to me after returning home. Yes, I was naughty
How did you get into music? How supportive was your family? What are your aspirations?
My parents are music lovers. My father plays the harmonium and the keyboard as a hobby, and my mother loves listening to music all the time. My parents used to go for these jagrans where everyone used to indulge in overnight bhajan sessions; that’ s where we both
What’ s on your playlist? What do you listen to normally?
Listen to almost all genres and even various languages. These days, I’ m hooked on to‘ From time’ – Drake and‘ All of Me’ – John Legend. started singing duets.
My aspiration is to be heard everywhere around the globe, and for everyone to love me. I want to make a name for myself and make my parents and people who have supported me really proud. That’ s all I ask this universe to grant.
How do you like to unwind from music and work?
I love decorating and designing my room, being with my friends and acting childish and stupid or travelling. I love to take care of my flat and keep it clean and decorated and have friends over and spend time in my cozy place. I talk to my plants, I love pets and feel at peace with them. I had a dog back in Nainital who isn’ t with us anymore. I absolutely love going through my pictures again and again, recollecting and reliving them. That’ s something I do a lot.
You’ re young and upcoming. How has the industry treated you up until now? Any regrets? Any wishes?
I came to Mumbai for Masters in Music, hoping to know the city well and make a
Packed stadiums or warm, cozy bars?
I am too greedy and showy that way. I love big, showy sets with huge infrastructure. I guess I love the‘ grand’ feel to everything in life. few contacts, since Nainital was a small town to be appreciated in. I met some really nice people who were genuine and helpful and from whom I got to learn a lot – like composer Saurabh Kalsi with whom I did some tracks for TV soaps. Mr. Iqbal, the talented dhol player with whom I had done a show, was kind to introduce me to Vishal & Shekhar. Shekhar had the kindest words for my voice and even listened to my recorded songs on my phone. For someone of their stature, they were so grounded and made me feel very comfortable. They loved my voice and called me to sing the final version of“ Manchala..” from Hansee toh Phasee. I was high from the experience and am extremely grateful to them for the chance to sing with my favourite singer Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan. I say all this because the industry is said to be generally tacky and negative towards new talent from small towns. But it’ s all about talent here. I wish to meet more genuine people like them. I’ ve had a really good experience up until now and have been treated beautifully by the industry and hope to stay blessed ahead.
Are you much of a reader? If yes, what do you read? Any favourite authors?
I just can’ t read to save my life! I have only completely read one or two books. It’ s too boring for me to sit with one book. I’ d rather watch a film on it. In school, I used to read a lot of Mills and Boons series and Enid Blyton, that too because it was given by the library and we were marked on it
If the world was to end, and you could pick up just two things with you to another safe universe, what would those be?
I’ d pick my guitar so that I can entertain myself and everyone else on the safe universe. Also, a bag full of junk food, because I love to eat. And yes, my phone that I have only just realized that I’ m addicted to – because of all my music, recordings, games and the huge collection of photos that I simply can’ t do without
A quirky trait of you that irritates the hell out of those close to you / your friends.
My habit of constantly cleaning and making my place neat. I just can’ t see a crooked lamp or an untidy bed sheet or a lying piece of paper or dust on the floor, things like that. Prior to my every Nainital visit, my parents hold a cleaning session in the home just because they know they’ re going to hear from me.
Your take on the rise of the EDM culture? Has the era of rockstars passed? Are we comfortably into DJ consoles and mixing tools and Macbook pros now, to ever think of going back?
I think it’ s the age of new sounds, and the music culture has evolved a lot. The youth in India is discovering new and rare sounds everyday and listens to a huge variety of music from Hindustani Classical to folk and hip-hop and EDM. This has changed the concept of a Rockstar – people are becoming more attached to the music than the artist’ s persona. Perhaps, there is a detachment between rock bands and their music. With so many different genres available today, we tend to buy singles rather than albums, and we are not as attached to bands as back in the days of Zeppelin. I have personally seen people who are crazy over EDM and also people who think EDM shows are all“ smoke, mirrors and molly”.
Favourite sounds around you that are not produced / created in the studio
The sound of the beautiful and peaceful mountains. Back in childhood, being a‘ pahadi’, it was a routine to sit on the roofs and study in the sun, since it was so cold inside the house. That sound had the power to hypnotize me and make me dream.
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