‘Films boost independent music’

Talktime| Neha bhasin

Many would remember her as part of the Viva band. Today, this 35-year-old has a come a long way — she has a YouTube channeldedicated to Punjabi music and doing a lot of independent music. She speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about herlatest songs from upcoming Salman-Katrina starrer Tiger Zinda Hai

You must be very happy now that Swag Se Swagat is trending.

Yes, it is a very nice feeling when your song does well.

How did the song come to you? Any challenges?

It is one of the last minute kinds of song shot as an afterthought. There is a trend now in Bollywood that every movie should have a promotional song — it is a sort of video song to lure the viewers to the theatres. It is one of the easiest songs that I have been given, it is just a fun song — you just go out there and sing it.

Can you tell about your YouTube channel? And what is Punjabi fusion?

It didn’t start with the aim to creating fusion. I wanted to recreate folk music. I wanted to sing these songs with minimalistic instruments since most Punjabi folk songs have a lot of hullara — a lot of pep and beat — with Indian dance elements. The aim is to make these songs that have more listening pleasure of the voice and the essence of the words taking centre stage.

You have come a long way since your Viva days. How has the journey been?

It has been beautiful, with ups and downs. I have been in the industry for 14 years and seen different times. There was a time when pop was popular but then pop singers went into oblivion. This was the time when I had just started my career. So I explored regional music, then Bollywood. It has been a roller-coaster ride.

Would it be possible to recreate the magic of Viva?

First, the same magic can’t be recreated. One can recreate a different kind of magic. It’s like the sun and moon — you see them every day but each day leaves a different kind of feeling.

Which do you prefer — independent music or Bollywood?

At the end of the day, it is all music so there is no preference. The question of choice would come up if work one was doing the kind of music that one didn’t like. Luckily for me, I have been given songs that I like to do. I have another song in Tiger Zinda Hai — Dil Diyan Gallan — female version. My husband (Sameer Uddin), a music composer who produced Jag Ghoomeya and Dil Diyan Gallan, and I are fortunate that we get work we love doing. I am happy doing both. Film music helps you further your independent music. So you need both.

Why so many remixes? Is there a dearth of creativity?

Remixes happen every few years. If you remember 10 years back, Kaanta Laga happened. Maybe it happens when the industry reaches a plateau. More than that, it is the music labels which are looking for music that will attract a lot of fast attention. By creating a remix, they are able to grab the attention of the listeners familiar with the original.

Which song would you like to recreate?

Personally, I am fine with recreating any film song if someone asked me to do it. I am happy to recreate folk songs since they don't belong to anybody.

How did you get a break in Bollywood?

My first song was Kuchh Khaas in Fashion with Saleem-Sulaiman. Saleem had composed a song for our band and it took from there.

Why is it that two-three singers are called in for the same song?

It is not a good thing since the other singers are not paid. If one is auditioning, he or she should be paid for it or it should be made clear that it is an unpaid audition. Some do it respectfully, others don’t. It is happening as the industry is exploitative and there is no regulatory body to monitor this. The newer the singer, the more the exploitation!

How does this affect senior artistes like yourself?

It limits the kind of work that comes your way. That is why a lot of remixes are done by newcomers. Though it is good that everyone gets an opportunity, I don’t think that it is happening in a positive manner.