JAY JOSHI
#TGLIFE: What drove you to music?
Shashaa Tirupati: I’ve been exposed to good music throughout childhood. My parents had fabulous taste in music and I think it influenced me in a way. Also there were the people I came in touch with. My music teacher for instance used to listen to a lot of classical and light-classical music, and my friend circle, I had a lot of Pakistani friends and that made me develop a taste towards non-film music and towards originals. Later, I listened to the music of AR Rahman sir which changed a lot of things. His music kind of exposed me to everything
TG:How was your experience working with AR Rahman on O Sona Tere Liye?
Every time with him it’s a new experience. You learn things from him, you learn about yourself. You learn to push the artist in you and I think that is very crucial for progress; it’s very crucial to experiment with your voice, styles and techniques. Meeting him and working with him is all about a process of self-discovery
TG: You worked on the Konkani song Tunch Mhojem Jivit with Johnny Dcunha. Tell us about your experience of working with Goan artists.
It was a very different song from what I sung in the past. There was an Indian-ness to it, and yet at the same time it has a very western side to it as well. It was a beautiful merge of two very distinct styles of music. The language itself is really interesting, and I would love to sing more Konkani songs.
TG: When you sing in a language that is not your own, how do you manage to bring the toning and other peculiarities of that language perfectly into your voice?
I just listen very carefully.That is very important because then you need to replicate it. I would accredit myself as being a good listener. Then you just have to replicate it. Also, you have to have good teachers, people who will tell you how to say it correctly. If they themselves are wrong, then you will end up translating the wrong thing. So, I would also give credit to people who teach me to pronounce the words correctly.
TG: Growing up in Canada, you could have taken up Western music. What made you take up Indian classical music?
My parents always believed it was necessary to be trained in semi-classical music because it pretty much lays the foundation of the voice and voice-culture. I did do a lot of choir and gospel singing too.
TG: Tell us about your work with the UNICEF.
I love contributing to the society, doing volunteer work and little gestures of goodness in whatever way I can. UNICEF was one of them. I love children so I had recorded for a small campaign that they had done for children.It was a good project to be a part of. It was for literacy and education, and I feel if you teach children the right thing, your future is secure. The situation today in our country is probably because of lack of literacy. Some men we see today were supposed to be educated in their childhood. That is a significant reason why I was a part of it.
TG: You’ve also worked in the South Indian film industry. How do you think Bollywood and Tollywood are different from each other?
They both have their own essence. The work culture is really different, people are different, the way they vibe with you is very different. I thoroughly enjoy working in both industries. At the end of the day, it’s all about music. When I go and record a song, it’s for the love of music. It could be in any culture, like I recently recorded a Hindi-Arabic fusion song. Again, if I am given an opportunity to sing something that soothes, fulfills and satisfies the artist in me, then I think that’s all that is necessary. So, be it North or South, or in any other country, as long as I am getting to sing a good song with a strong melody and good lyrics, I love to sing!
TG: What are some of the good and bad memories that have stayed with you during the journey?
There are plenty. I think the bad memories are also very important. They affect the artist. Any bad memory that you’ve had, you can tap into it and it helps you express when the moment requires that. So, when I am singing a sad song, a bad memory translates into the emotion required for that song. I would in no situation take those bad memories or struggle away because they help make you the artist that you become.
I remember being told some six-seven years ago that I had a bad voice and that I have no future in playback singing and I should consider some other career. There was a time when I used to travel five hours a day because I couldn’t afford living in the main hub of Mumbai. I used to do a 2 ½ hours of to and fro journey to my house on a Mumbai local train and it used to be hell, especially for a Canadian who has lived in a very protected, clean environment. For me it was a major culture shock. But I did it because I was so passionate about what I wanted to do.
TG: What new projects are in the works at the moment?
I am presently working on a lot of independent stuff right now- my own songs and compositions. I am very excited.
