What are 5 important things you do before you step into a studio for a recording ?
Whenever I have a dub , I wake up and I do my riyaz which is “ kharaj ka riyaz ” and then I pray before leaving my home . Next I just go to the studio , have some coffee , and listen to the song . This is my only ritual before going for a recording .
As a singer , maintaining your voice is very crucial . What are some steps that you take to ensure your voice is always intact ?
Yes , it ’ s very important to maintain our voices . For that I follow a very strict sleeping pattern . I sleep at least for 7 to 8 hours . I think sleep is essential to keep my vocal chords in shape . I stay hydrated and another crucial thing that I do is vocal warmups before the dubbing and then cool downs after the dub and after the show .
What are some skills have you learned that will help you in your singing career ?
In my singing career , one thing which I swear by is understanding the emotion of the song and then trying to deliver that emotion vocally . I think that really helps you connect with the audience and something I really look forward to . If I ’ m able to touch their hearts with my voice , my job is done . I sing songs only so they can feel the emotions . Whether it ’ s a romantic or a sad song , they should feel it in their own heart as if it ’ s happening in their own lives . That ’ s the only thing that matters to me . It ’ s a skill every musician or singer should understand . If you ’ re singing for another composer , try to understand his or director ’ s point of view and know about the character who you ’ re singing for . That goes a long way .
How important is a formal music training accounting to you ? When did you receive training for your voice ?
I think formal music training is really helpful . Then you have a path and you know you have to follow that path to reach somewhere . Without training you ’ d have no idea of what is good for you or what practices or riyaz you should do . It plays a great part in the life of any singer . I started learning classical music when I was in class sixth . It has really helped me in that way . Of course if you ’ re not able to get a guru or a proper teacher who can teach you , there are many videos on YouTube which tell you how to modulate your voice and try different things . There are vocal techniques which you can learn online and give it a try . If you ’ re willing to put in , there are many ways to learn .
What ’ s your take on the industry being male dominated ? Have you ever faced bias ?
Well the industry is certainly male dominated , but I haven ’ t faced bias as such . The only thing is that female oriented films are made less in number and eventually females have less number of songs . Female singers are still struggling to get good songs . Sometimes even when the song is based on a female , it ’ s a male singer singing in the background . It happens in the industry and I think the only solution to it is to have more female oriented films made , which would eventually lead to more female songs . It ’ ll be amazing actually if we ’ re able to achieve that !
If there was something you really could change about the industry , what would it be and why ?
I find the industry pretty amazing . I feel there isn ’ t any need to change anything . I think if we just maintain a balance of non-film music and film music , that ’ ll be really great .
Rapid Fire
Your favourite studio to record in
My home studio which I set up last year . That ’ s the cosiest studio where I love to record .
A composer you would love to sing for
Vishal & Shekhar and A . R . Rahman
Name 3 actors whom you would like to lend your voice to
Deepika Padukone , Anushka Sharma and Priyanka Chopra
A song you cannot stop listening to
AP Dhillon - Insane
A song of another singer that you wish you had sung
Love You Zindagi from “ Dear Zindagi ”
Your own song you wish someone else would ’ ve sounded better
None . I love all my songs , so I never want anyone else to sing my songs .
Your message to budding playback singers
Do your riyaz sincerely . It is very important to be prepared for the opportunity when it knocks at your door . And , never lose hope . Sometimes things take time to happen , but they happen if you have faith and if you have worked for them .
The Score Magazine
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