Singer-composer PAYAL DEV, who has sung Yoon Karke in Dabangg 3 speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about why she took up composing and the challenges that come with it
Are you a composer or a singer first?
This is a tough question to answer since I am both. But I began my career is as a singer, so a singer first. I have recently taken up composing.
Why take up composing then?
I didn’t realise that when I was taking down my voice notes and tunes and recording them I was in fact composing. It was not because I was thinking of turning to composing music. I was being appreicated for my singing. But if you see the artists today, almost everyone is a singer but there are few very few women composers. I just tried my hand at it and found that I was good at it. It adds to my accomplishments. It also gives me at opportunity to showcase my talent in another field as well.
Do you think that it is important for artists to have a holistic approach towards music?
Definitely. If you are a composer yourself, one can understand what the composer wants when you are singning for someone else. I have turned to penning my words. I am trying my hand at being a lyricits. I work long hours to explore where else I can excel. Each singer should not only sing but also try their hand at different aspects of their craft.
How did your song Tum Hi Aana from Marjaavaan happen?
Like I said earlier, I used to record my voice notes. Everyone is releasing singles. I too wanted to try my hand at it. I had released Sajna Ve; it was my first song as a composer. In fact, Salman bhai (Khan) had told me that whenever I will release the song, he would share it and he did. It was such a great feeling. The song was much appreciacted so I decided to do another song — Tum Hi Aana. But at that time, the tune and the style was very different. While I was in the process of recording it, Kunal bhai, a dear friend, was there and so was Zubin. I ran the tune by them. They loved it and convinced me to do it for a film. The mukhda was recorded then and there. Kunal wrote the lyrics in a day. That is how composing for Tum Hi Aana happened and went to Marjaavan.
How did the Dabangg 3 song happen?
I had worked with Sajid-Wajid before on a project Welcome to New York. I did one song with them. When I was recording the song I knew it was picturised on Salman bhai and Sonakshi Sinha. One didn’t have to be genius to guess for which movie the song was for. Wajid had approached me. We recorded the song and sent it to Salman bhai who loved it.
The song has been sung by Salman Khan.
Yes. I am co-singing Yu Karke with him. It was great to work with him. I had only dreamt of meeting him but with this song, I got the opportunity to work with him. I had sung a song Saansain Hui Dhuan Dhuan for Race 3 as well.
What are the challenges you face while composing?
I don’t compose music on the spot. I take my time. However, there are times when the inspiration strikes and music happens on the spot.
Is it tough to sing for other composers?
It is not always easy to fill the demand of the composers. It is important to be in the composer’s shoes to understand what he wants. Some composers make you feel at home, working with them is easy. Others are tough since they put pressure which then makes it difficult to understand what they want.
