Smita Diwan
Superstar Rajnikanth and bollywood diva deepika padukone starrer film Kochadaiiyaan is getting all praises for its hi-tech 3D work and for the music album which composed by none other than A R Rahman.
Recently we had a chit-chat with multi talented singer Shashaa Tirupati who is the melodious voice behind song ‘Vaada Vaada’ in the film. Besides listening to new and interesting trends and styles of music, Shashaa is a voracious reader and she adores cooking and trying various new dishes and cuisines. Let’s hear more about her song and her upcoming projects.
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]Q.[/highlight]How was your experience signing for Kochadaiiyaan ?
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]A.[/highlight]At the time of recording Vaada Vaada (Female), which is my song in the film, I neither had the slightest clue that my singing would be the final voice for THE AR Rahman Sir’s soundtrack, nor had I known that the song was to be in the demi-God Rajnikanth starrer film, Kochadaiiyaan… the fact that I’ve sung my very first solo for Sir is still sinking in !
Singing for AR Rahman Sir has been one of the greatest gifts of my life: my decision of choosing music as my career was solely based on the influence Sir’s music has had on me growing up as a musician, as a diehard fan, and as a human being. This song is undoubtedly my first break in Bollywood, and I have the deepest feeling of gratitude towards Sir for this opportunity.
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]Q.[/highlight]When did you take up this project and how did you get this opportunity of singing for Kochadaiyaan ?
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]A.[/highlight] This opportunity sprung up entirely by God’s grace and blessings. I was a part of MTV Coke Studio Season 3 with AR Rahman Sir as a singer in his Hindustani Choir. I had auditioned for the part on being informed of the opening from his team. It was almost a month after the episode was telecast that I had received a call from Sir’s team back in Chennai that he would like to try my voice for a song. I never knew that song would be Kochadaiiyaan’s Vaada Vaada! We recorded the song in December last year.
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]Q. [/highlight]Nowadays rap culture is gaining a lot of popularity in the film industry. We can see even small kids singing rap, but this was not the scenario 10 years back. Earlier every parent wanted their kids to study classical music. So how do you perceive these changes?
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]A.[/highlight] I believe trends will keep emerging and subsiding as new trends will replace old ones. Our perception and acceptance as musicians needs to change with these emerging trends in order to stay abreast with current styles that are in, without forgetting our roots in the process. It is only then that we ourselves will whole-heartedly be able to render what the demands of the masses are. A lot of parents continue to encourage their children towards studying classical music today and that is because it forms the skeletal outline of any kind of music and strengthens the base of the voice and singing capabilities. Once that basic structure is achieved, these children can themselves choose to sing rap or for that matter, any style of music that attracts them.
Personally, I’ve trained in Hindustani Classical as well as Choral music myself and I’ve correspondingly, rapped for various tracks. Rap’s been prevalent in Canada, where I’ve grown up, since as long as I can remember, and I’m quite glad it’s influenced the music scene here this predominantly… The matter of significance is the content that any rap contains: as long as there is lyrical value to what is being rapped, I think it’s a positive trend that should be encouraged along with other more traditional forms of music. We shouldn’t forget our roots in the race towards trend-setting and modernity.
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]Q. [/highlight]With advancements like sound modulators & electronic tuning being introduced in the music industry, do you think it’s an advantage for singers ?
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]A. [/highlight]Absolutely! There’s so much experimentation happening nowadays on voice, instruments and sounds equally with the increased availability and advance of sound modulation plug-ins and software. Besides the arrangement and instrument components, even the voices of singers today can be changed drastically via such advancements. Having an individual tone is of course part and parcel of being a singer, with every singer having a distinct tonality, depth, and frequency to his or her voice. With the ability to modulate sounds and voices, such advancements increase the number of ways a singer’s voice can be portrayed and increases the scope of not only the effectiveness of the track overall but also of the singing of the singer.
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]Q. [/highlight]Name some of your favorite singers of today’s generation?
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]A.[/highlight] My favourite singer in today’s times would foremostly be AR Rahman Sir (who being primarily a composer, has rendered Rehna Tu, Dil Se, Vande Mataram and Tere Bina Besuaadi in an unmatchable way). Other favourites include Mohit Chauhan, Chris Daughtry, Jason Mraz, Chitra Ji, Chinmayee, Arijit, Sukhwinder Singh, Rashid Ali, Shafqat Amanat Ali and Shiraz Uppal. I’ve also heard some budding singers, Amitabh Narayan and Farhad Bhiwandiwala, who I feel have very bright futures in Hindi playback.
My all-time favourites include Mohd. Rafi Sahab, Mehndi Hassan Sahab, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahab.
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]Q. [/highlight]What are your upcoming projects ? Would you like to share the information with our readers?
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]A. [/highlight]I’m a part of various collaborations with artists in India and abroad. Currently I’m working on a project with the band, Soulism and another with Mani-D Productions based in Vancouver, Canada. Then there is the Shashaa-Tanishk project wherein I’m working with music producer Tanishk Bagchi on an electronic-reggae-folk album. I have a few film songs due for release this year as well including Cofffee Aani Barach Kaahi (Marathi) and Netraikku Mazhai Peiyum (Tamil). Other than the above, I’ll be coming out with my own album as singer/ songwriter by the end of this year. Currently I’m a part of the RahmanIshq tour with AR Rahman Sir. I have my own Canada-US tour in September this year.
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-red” ]Q.[/highlight] What did you like the most about whatSHElikes.in ?
[highlight highlightColor=”highlight-green” ]A.[/highlight] I love the fact that whatshelikes.in is a one stop shop for everything that concerns a woman. Being a girl and a female activist myself, I strongly feel this site gives the required importance, attention and complete focus to women and what revolves around the lifestyle, needs, health and wellness, current affairs and environment, and personal issues of a woman. This is an eye opener to guys as well! Whatshelikes.in is just about to gain a new flock of fans!
