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Things seem to be going right for playback singer Shalini, who is all set to emerge as one of the `stars' in the musical firmament, says K.JESHI
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HER CAREER as a playback singer is on the upswing. The ball started rolling with `Vai Raja Vai' in Panchathantiram and popular numbers like `Ennai Konjam Matri' in Kaakha Kaakha, the rap song `Fanah' in Aaiytha Ezhuthu followed.
Today, her life is packed with numerous recordings in different languages. "Being a singer is the most gifted thing," says this bubbly playback singer when she spoke to Metroplus in Coimbatore.
She was here to select wannabe popstars from Fanta SS music hunt, the nation wide talent search.
Shalini dreamt of making it big as a playback singer from childhood.
She channelled her energy in this direction and from jingles in ad films, she has graduated to solo renditions.
She came out with her first album at 13 years, titled ` Shalini', a mix of 8 songs done in Tamil.
Now this 22-year old singer has to her credit more than 100 songs in all regional languages.
New album
During a recent visit to Ooty flower show, people still recognised her as `popstar Shalini', thanks to her popular maiden album.
This unexpected surprise from her fans boosted her confidence and she has decided to cut a new pop album.
"It's going to be a from the heart album, more intense. The songs will revolve around the concept of friendship and love and I intend to complete it in another 3 months time," she adds.
But why a pop album when nothing is happening in the Tamil pop scene? " Quality is the key and I want to prove it with my second album also. There was a time when singers like Subha, Anuradha Sriram and Suresh Peters were doing a great job. But nobody banked on it."
Abroad shows
Shalini took a break from singing and was just learning to equip herself in Western and Indian music.
She was also busy participating in music shows in India and abroad.
"The NRIs are mad about music.
They turn out in huge numbers for such shows. In South Africa, at times the crowd turnout touches 30,000," Shalini says.
Is she working on any unique style to identify her voice? " I am yet to figure out what my style is. It's more like mix and merge."
Shalini's forthcoming assignments include `Bose', `Kathirippen', `7 G Rainbow Colony', director Shankar's yet-to-be titled movie ... . with different music directors.
She has also sung a Hindi song for T.V. Chandran an art film director & a National Award winner, and for Isaac Kottukkapally - a National Award Winner for composing. "The song is for an art film, the storyline revolves around the Gujarat riots.
The heroine in the movie foresees trouble, so she just wants to be happy in the present and sings her heart out.
She gets murdered the next day and the male character feels guilty for not making an attempt to save her. The song comes in bits and pieces throughout the movie," she adds.
Classical training
Shalini, like most singers, has been trained in Western classical music for 11 years.
She has learnt Hindustani music for six years and Carnatic music for two years.
"I am learning Piano for my sixth grade as well as Theory of Music for my 6th grade from the Trinity College of Music, London."
She in fact advocates all wannabe singers to get some kind of training in classical music. " Music is really expanding and more youngsters are coming in to choose this as a career option," she adds.
People who have inspired her in playback singing include Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Janaki and Chitra.
No Godfather
Having sung more songs in regional languages at a very short interval, Shalini is modest enough to admit:
"It is a share of big luck that without any Godfather I have managed to climb up the ladder in the music industry. It is certainly a gratifying feeling. I want to be recognised as a good singer.''
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