SHALINI SAKSENA speaks with VASUDA SHARMA about her latest track in Bhojpuri and the band
Why a Bhojpuri song?
I am original from Mathura, UP. These kind of songs are from this region and popular. My paternal aunt was a radio singer. When I was a child, I used to go for summer vacations to Mathura and she taught me Krishna bhajans and a lot of folk songs. I have grown up learning through these songs rather than Bollywood. I have had a strong connection with Bhojpuri songs and the melodies. I write English songs and pop songs but when it comes to best form of expression it is these songs. I don’t want to alter the melody but make the music modern by introducing desiness. The song — Ganga — is very beautiful. The base was folk we just added instrumentation like drums and guitar.
Ganga is from an album. Are all the songs in Bhojpuri?
Not all songs are. I would say that they are all desi. Our EP is also called BeDesi. Another song from the album, Balgaadi, in Haryanvi but the instrumentation is Raggae. All songs are different from each other with a desi element. Rahiman has his teachings put together and woven into a song but with funk rock. It has an Indian start and suddenly it moves to heavy guitar and drums giving it a fresh and new perspective in terms of sound.
Is this combination to reach out to more listeners?
Absolutely. Today, the way times are changing and people’s music interests have shifted if we present to them a folk or a classical song the way it is, it will lack the reach as sound has evolved. For the song to stand out and to get to the people’s system it there is need to find way to make it appealing without the folk loosing its essence.
What is your band about?
It is called Sharma and the Besharam. There is an interesting story how it got its name. At one of the gigs, we didn’t have a name for us. I was the only girl in the band. We started playing with my surname and came up with this the name.
What are the challenges in the indie space?
This is our first EP even though we have performed in a couple of festivals. We have just started so being consistant, puting out fresh content and music is key. I believe in creating a niche and being visible. I don’t have to compete with big Bollywood artist. Even in the indie space there was so many opportunites and yet with so much content with more platforms, it is distracting. As an artist one has to find one’s USP via trial and errors.
Have you had a professional training?
Not that was regular. When I was at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in New Delhi, I got selected as part of Asma and came to Mumbai. We underwent a training not necessarily only raag based but with different styles. After Asma, I went to Berkley, US. I studied western music theory since I wanted to read and write music. Now I am consistently learning from Ravi Jhule.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
A big part of my inspiration has been what I learnt as a child. My exposure to music was limited to Back Street Boys and Spice Girls. When I was in college, as part of my ragging, I was made to learn an entire album of Allyson Morris. It was the first time I had heard lyrics like that. Learning from musicians over the years, makes you grow. The biggest exposure came when I was at Berkley where I was exposure to world music. I also get inspiration from young artists who are 16-18.
In India, one is either a song writer or a composer unlike the West. Should the lines blur to being just a musician?
The mindset of the artist needs to change. Even if I am known as a singer, I writer and compose my songs. It all begins with the artists showing a side of themselves and that a singger can arrange, writer and sing their songs. The way the digital platform is moving, there won’t be need to blur the lines; it will happen on its own.
