Shalmali Kholgade, who sang the hit song ‘Pareshaan’ from the movie ‘Ishaqzaade’, was in Goa to share her journey from singing at restaurants to Bollywood in the second edition of the Signature Startup Matserclass. In conversation with NT BUZZ Shalmali talks about how she began her musical journey and more
RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ
Q: How did you start your journey as a singer?
I have been singing since I was a child because it has always been a part of my home environment. My mother used to teach Indian classical and my father loves listening to music. So I was made to learn music with my mother, I did not want to sit for the class but I was forced till I turned 13 years old after which my mother told me that it is okay if I did not want to do Indian classical music. I was always inclined towards western music which my brother would listen to a lot. As a result I got to listen to the likes of Kumar Gandharva, Arati Ankalikar, Wadali Brothers and then Michael Jackson and Phil Collins. I think that really helped me to see the two worlds and the fact that I did not have much exposure to Bollywood music at all helped me later to get into Bollywood.
Q: You started as a small time singer at restaurants and a cabaret troupe and later went on to become successful in the industry. What do you have to say about it?
Those were very important years and unfortunately singing at restaurants did not last long because there were a lot of things that we understand when nobody knows who you are. Now it is a whole different experience playing to an audience; then it was just sitting and seeing what you can do to get that applause from an audience who is come to eat their dinner. So I learnt how to entertain an audience who is not really looking to be entertained, to playing to an audience who has only come to listen to you. It is a different experience because their focus is only on you so you have to give your best and not disappoint them. The journey has been an interesting one because I never intended to be a Bollywood playback singer. When I decided of getting into singing, I wanted to play in clubs as I like that intimacy between an artiste and the audience.
Q: What are the challenges to sustain in music industry?
There are a couple of big challenges: social media today is such a huge influence and to some extent it does distract you from what you should be focusing on to begin with. I saw on social media again Salim Merchant saying that ‘spend less time on your phone and more on your craft’ and I think that is a huge push out of your reverie that we are in. Although it is a part of our job also to be on social media but to focus on what you came here to do is the most important. Secondly, the there is a lot of competition, there are many good talented people doing the same thing that you do and the only way to move forward from there is to focus on yourself and to see your graph and compare yourself with yourself. Therefore, as long as you can keep your head and your mental state steady you are on the right track but otherwise there are lots of factors that can throw you off.
Q: If given a chance would you like to act or sing in a Konkani movie? And which is your favourite regional language to sing in?
Yes, I would like to work in any film whether it is a Goan Konkani film, Spanish, Italian or English as long as the role is challenging. I have done acting in the past and I feel the actor in me is always waiting for something challenging enough to want to pursue it. Telugu is my absolute favourite, and then comes Bengali and Marathi.
Q: Why must one never lose hope and be persistent when you are passionate about something?
Losing hope comes in everybody’s plate; it comes as the pickle so it is upto you how much of that pickle you want to eat. I believe that knowing what combination of things you should be eating is very important; and loving yourself. That comes as a blanket over any decision you might make in your life. If I know at this point in my life that singing a classical song is not my ball game I am not going to build those kind of dreams. However, that does not mean I will not sing Indian classical at home and attempt a lesser challenging song. Our hopes and dreams should have some kind of grounding and practicality. We must always in some way keep running towards a goal that will get us something along the way or closer to what we dream of being.
Q: What do you like about Goa?
I love the food. I love the people because this is the exact opposite of Mumbai. There nobody looks at each other; they walk at some other pace. It is always a good break to come to Goa, but I like the quieter Goa, which is not hustling and bustling.