The first question is always a clichéd one. Tell us about your musical journey and how it all started.
Since I was a child, I was always drawn towards music and was lucky that my parents never stopped me from being on stage, perform and participate in competitions. In fact, nobody from my family are into music or musicians and that is why I consider myself very lucky that my parents never stopped me.
They always appreciated that I was so excited to perform, sing and learn music. During school and college, I kept learning music and Indian Classicial Music was the most important thing at that time. I listened to a lot of Bhajans. My parents exposed me to some Gazzals by Jagjit Ji and I was drawn a lot towards semi classical songs. I always liked to sing tougher songs. That is how it all started. Finally, in college I got a teacher to train and I took part
in Pop Stars.
You were one of the winners at Channel V ' s Pop Stars. Was this a good start in your opinion?
There would not have been any other way for me to enter the industry as I don’ t come from a family of musicians and it was a huge opportunity for me and to be a girl next door and be called as the country’ s pop star and perform
in concerts all over the world.
We have heard that you are a very good dancer as well and in your school days also been a part of the NCC Cadet. Can you elaborate a bit more on these for us to know what a complete talented package you are?
I was always drawn towards singing, dancing and acting together. Watching musicals was something I loved doing. Whenever I watched Indian movies, nobody told me that the singer, actor and choreographer were all different. I thought one person did it all. I wanted to be that and by the time I realized, it was a huge shock for me. I still find it amusing that most kids think that the actors are singing themselves.
For me, I could never separate singing from dancing. I always feel that while singing, you are expressing an emotion. For that, you use your face and body and not sing just from your throat. That is what makes me feel the song more. I caan’ t otherwise feel it.
I was a part of my school band and that was part of NCC. Through that, I learned how to fire a riffle, I went camping and it is amazing as you are very close to living an army life. Those made me change my life and become focused and disciplined. Sometimes music and dancing makes you happy. Without discipline in music, it’ s tough to train and be serious about what you do. It was interesting for me to do singing, dancing and NCC
altogether. That made me interested in studies too.
You have sung across multiple languages and genres. How do you manage to overcome the barriers?
I found it difficult in the beginning as I come from a Hindi speaking family. When I started performing with AR Rahman sir, I was given few lines to sing in Tamil and it was very difficult for me. I come from North and have nothing to do with South. I feel very lucky that I got a chance to sing in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Kannada. India is very rich in terms of its cultures, languages, and music forms. I have learned it from AR sir that music has no language and that is how I overcame thisaenres of
music.
You are now mentoring kids at The Voice India kids, how is the experience so far and what is your learning from this?
It is one of the finest experiences for me to be a mentor on a show because all this while, I have had mentors shaping and molding me to be a better human being. Now it is an opportunity for me to impart to kids what I have learnt and be there for them to do more music and learn and perform each time with all their heart and soul. It is so nice to be able to give it back to them and it makes one more sensitive.
I am grateful to Voice of India for giving me this opportunity in helping these kids. I will always be like a proud mother to these kids even if I meet them after ten years when they would be superstars. I would feel happy that I was a small part of their journey and helped nurture
this plant that make them massive big stars by then.
What is your personal opinion on the reality shows in India? Do you think they produce great talent and provide a good platform for aspiring musicians?
Well, I think there was a time when two separate industries( Independent and Film) were existing together. Independent music was at its peak in the 90s when film music was doing its own thing. And then for about ten to fifteen years, there was no independent music and film music took over. Thank to internet, now independent music and musicians are back. You can listen to anyone online and be updated about their music in a second. It is back and is meant to stay!
Is there one artist / composer that you ' ve worked with who really made a mark in your career and helped you rise to where you are?
Yes, I always dreamt of working with AR Rahman sir and I got to work with him and still do. I really have huge respect and love for him. He is my guru, my guide and my coach for life. He has changed me as a person for the better and I owe it to him. One of my first songs was for him and you can imagine the impact he has had. I have known him for seven years and still perform with him and there is so much more to learn from the legend himself.
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