Shibani Kashyap | The singer who sung for films like Jack and Dil, speaks with Shalini Saksena about how doing live shows helps her reach out to her fans and why so many artists are taking advantage of the indie space
What is keeping you busy these days?
Lots of live shows. I am also judging a show in Dubai, it is called The One. We have already started shooting for the show. We are looking for the most sensational singer from UAE. The only criterion is that the person has to be a resident of UAE. A song from the film Jack And Dil released a couple of weeks back. I sang Bezuban Dil Ki. I also represented India in the New York India Day Parade. I performed at Madison Avenue. I released a couple of indie songs as well.
How did your musical journey begin?
It began when I was still in school. I did a jingle for FM when it launched its services. That’s how I started my career — with jingles and singing for ad commercials. Then my first album was out when I was in college — Ho Gayi Hai Mohabat. I went to Mumbai for the auditions and I got selected. That song and the album became a hit and here I am.
You are an English graduate end up learning classical music?
Just because you are a singer doesn’t mean that you have to be illiterate! Education is a totally different dimension. I am an Indian. My Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi are fantastic. Your talent gets accentuated if you can converse well too. Talent and education should go hand in hand.
How does live shows help you?
It helps me to reach out to my fans and better my craft. It is very good practise and helps you to keep a pulse of what the audience wants. I have been performing for over 15 years, so I hope I have mastered the art of performing live. But there is still so much to learn. Connecting with the audience helps me as an artist.
Are you still part of the band that you formed in Delhi?
Not anymore. It was a great way to earn some pocket during my college days. It was great fun and a learning experience.
What is the best part of being in Mumbai and the worst thing about Delhi?
The best part of Mumbai is that it is safe for women. It has great amenities. You get whatever you want in the middle of the night like medicines or even food. The work-energy here is great; people are so motivated. This helps you keep up your energy. It is such a cosmopolitan city and you meet people from all walks of life and learn different things.
The worst thing about Delhi is the pollution in the city during winters, it is a killer. Then there is the rise in crime. Third, is the increase in the number of cars and the traffic jams as a result of it.
Why are so many artists doing indie music today?
When I started my career, indie music space was rocking and flourishing in the 90s. It was a great time for singers like me. At that time I never thought of Bollywood. Also, the voices in the film songs were high pitched and too long — almost six to seven minutes long. Somehow I didn’t see myself fit into that scenario. But then Bollywood music evolved in 2000s. I did a few songs which were a hit and I became a part of the industry which I still can’t fathom how it works — how to give your next hit. Today, indie space has so more to offer and many more platforms. The only problem is people still want to know what your Bollywood hit is.
Does this mean that a Bollywood hit is important for you?
No, not really. Content is important. If you study the career of singers like Kailash Kher, Honey Singh and Badshah, they have had big hits in indie space. They prove that good content never fails. Bollywood will call you when your indie songs do well. One should not run after fame. People from Bollywood call me today because they want to have my style of singing in their films.