After doing background songs for films like Hasee Toh Phasee and R Rajkumar, PRAGYA DASGUPTA is now looking forward to her latest project, says SHAlINI SAKSENA

You started off as an RJ and went on to become a singer. WhyIJ

I started singing for All India Radio in Kolkata when I was in Class IV. My mother is a classical singer, I used to go with her and found that there were no RJs just announcers. When I grew up, FM came and I was attracted to the work of RJs and joined AIR, then moved to Radio Mirchi and then Big FM. The journey as RJ was very long before I finally moved to Mumbai in 2009 to begin my singing career.

Tell us about your gharana.

I belong to the Rampur Sehswan Gharana. If you have heard of Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan saheb, his Guru was Ustad Nissar Khan saheb. My mother learnt from him. Back then, nobody was taught music out of the fraternity. She was the only woman student. Music has always been a part of my life. Then RJ happened but was not happy and shifted to Mumbai and working for a TV channel. In 2015, I finally quit my job to ensure my singing career took off. It was then or never.

How tough has the journey beenIJ

It has been amazing. Every day is a challenge. It is a tough field that I have chosen. Nothing is certain. Every day one has to do something new. If you sung a song is a certain manner, the other has to be different. But there is a sense of satisfaction as well. After all I am doing something that I love and it is for myself. When your work is appreciated, it gives you a high.

Would you agree that in order to pursue a career in Bollywood, you need to quit your jobIJ

If you are a genius, then maybe you can handle both. One has to give this industry 100 per cent to get back 70 per cent. When your attention is divided between your and job and passion (singing), you are not giving your best to one field. This was true for me. I was working 12 hours, then there was socialising, there was networking and practice. I had to quit my job.

You made a debut (singing) in the Telugu industry. How did you manage the languageIJ

I have sung a lot of jingles for ads in different languages. So that was not a problem. I also have a knack of picking up local dialects so that makes it easy.

Classical singing is different from Bollywood. How do you make the switchIJ

Yes, it is totally different. I use my classical training to strengthen my base and develop my voice since I don’t sing classical. Bollywood has three-four minute songs. The only difference is that in a Bollywood song you have to give expressions and a feel. The sur, the taal, etc, has to be perfect which I get from my classical background. The switch comes easy since I have had training in ragas, surs and taals.

What nextIJ

There are a few Bollywood projects but don’t know whether my song will end up in the movie so don’t want to talk about it.

What does it take to remain on the topIJ

I am very new to the industry. What I have seen is that there is need for everyday planning and strategy. Talent alone may not get you to the top unless you are exceptionally brilliant. Today, networking and how you get people to perceive you is just as important. Social media has opened many opportunities. One can showcase one’ talent easily. Earlier, one had to go to people with a CD. Today, a song put on social media that goes viral means that you can get picked up for a project.

What about doing independent musicIJ

I did a song (Kajri Ka Kajarwa) with Shahid Mallya, an original which was much appreciated. I have collaborated with my sister and some international artists as well.