Shreya to create a new genre of music

She is among the most successful playback singers in the Indian film industry today but Shreya Ghoshal longs for something different that would not only take her to greater heights of melody but also test her ability to execute intricate ragas.

“I am keen to explore my musical talent much beyond film music and if I can enter the horizon in other genre of music, especially Hindustani Classical Music,” she told Indian Newslink during an interview from her Mumbai home.

Unique combination

What distinguishes this young woman is that she personifies a rare combination of beauty in her voice, physique and mental attitude.

“I continue to learn every day, although I am grateful that I have been accepted by the Indian film industry in general and Bollywood in particular. However, my ambition is to become proficient in the time-tested and time-honoured traditional classical music of India,” she said.

Shreya is due in Auckland next month for a performance at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau.

ABC Entertainment Limited and Perfect Harmony Productions are promoting the programme, called, ‘Ooh La La Shreya Ghoshal Live in Concert,’ to be held from 730 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013.

Apart from a number of Hindi songs that have made her, the concerned films and music directors famous, Shreya also has a number of South Indian songs to her credit in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

Her resounding voice can be also be heard in Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Marathi and Nepali languages.

Her dedication to the music profession was evident when she said, “I have found a place in Bollywood. I am able to record songs after just one or two takes in Hindi. Songs in South Indian languages may take a little longer because I have to perfect the diction and pronunciation.”

Smashing hits

Among her recent films that hit the box office are ‘Khiladi 786’ (starring Akshay Kumar and Asin) and ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ (Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif).

Shreya has no reservations about working with anyone so long as she gets respect and recognition as an artiste.

“I like to work with all music composers and music directors. I enjoy every singing moment of my life. I like every good song and love to add colour to it.

“I am gratified that many of my songs have become hits in Bollywood. I am also happy that I have found a place among top singers, seniors, juniors and those upcoming artistes,” she said.

“I enjoy this life of music, songs, takes and retakes. Every day is a challenge. I regard every day as a new day in my life.”

Rise to stardom

Born in Berhampore (West Bengal), Shreya moved to Rawatbhata near Kota, Rajasthan, where her father, an Electronics Engineer, was posted

She participated in several cultural programmes while at school and later appeared at a number of contests, winning prizes, awards and citations.

But a turning point in her career came in 1996 at ‘Sa Re Ga Ma,’ a realty show on Zee Television, designed to explore and expose musical talent among the youth.

She was judged the best singer in the Mega-final, by a panel of eminent judges, including Vilayat Khan, Anil Biswas, Girija Devi, Pandit Ram Narain, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain.

Indian Newslink will publish further details of this artiste in its ensuing issues.