Singer-composer Shibani Kashyap's voice received recognition with the signature tune of AIR FM channel for All India Radio, and delivering the soulful song "Sajna Aa Bhi Jaa".
Touted as the OG popstar from the 90s, Shibani has cemented herself in the music industry for over two decades.
On World Music Day, Shibani gets candid on recreating the 90s pop music era, impact of COVID-19 on live concerts, Bollywood camps, and more.
Shibani emerged as an artist, courtesy independent music in 1998 with her album “Ho Gayi Hai Mohobbat”, which gave her an identity as a singer.
Speaking on the genre that made a comeback recently, especially during the lockdown, she says, “I am very happy that independent music is making a comeback with a bang since the pandemic started and is in fact flourishing now since there is a lacuna of Bollywood music at the moment. I have always been more of an independent musician and always supported it passionately. It is gladdening to know that so many new talented artists are emerging in fact it would be great if we can recreate the glorious era pop music the way it was in the 90's.”
Music is magic, it heals, it stimulates and is extremely therapeutic.Shibani Kashyap
The songstress, who is best known for delivering larger than life concerts says that the pandemic impact livelihoods of several artists, musicians, and event companies. However, virtual concerts are slowly becoming popular and carving a new niche for entertainment.
Despite that, Shibani says. “I truly miss touring and travelling and performing in different parts of the country and the world.”
When asked how she stayed put during the lockdown, the "Zinda Hoon Main" singer adds, “Thanks to yoga and meditation I could really stay peacefully. By creating new music, I was immersed in my art. Fortunately I did not go through any hardships.”
Reminiscing her childhood and how she inclined towards music, Shibani says, “My mother, who is a classically trained singer, introduced me to music. When I was 9, I participated in a huge vocal music competition on a pan-India level which I won. The judges were the legendary Jagjit Singh Ji and Chitra Singh Ji. That gave me the confidence and conviction to pursue it as a career.”
Recalling the time, she was asked to voice the signature tune for AIR FM (All India Radio), Shibani says, “In 1996 I was in my third year of college and I got a call from AIR. I was truly thrilled as this was a very prestigious assignment. My voice would launch FM stereo radio in India. When I recorded this song soon after, I used to hear myself 24 times a day.”
Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak, Bollywood music had to take a backseat, which create massive opportunities for artists to express their own content.
Weighing on the same, Shibani says, “When I started my journey with Bollywood in 2003, it was like a dream come true as “Sajna” became a blockbuster hit and I did 17 more films as singer-composer back-to-back. I have enjoyed being a part of Bollywood even though I am not from the industry so to speak. I have had my share of hits but since the past couple of years I did not get many opportunities. It seems the camps are too tough to break into now but this does not deter me or stop me from creating my own music and therefore keeping my fans happy.”
“I feel good that at least I have been able to create big hits which the world applauds me for I have many other songs and my true fans do know those too. At least I'm not a singer who has no original songs to her credit. I'm extremely thankful to god,” she adds.
