Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Been there, sung that

The number of hits to Vasundhara's credit is rising by the day and here's why...

LEARNING ON THE JOB Vasundhara Das

Time and again, she scores on the top 10 lists and her songs are in demand at popular night spots. From one of her first songs `Shakalaka Baby' (`Oke Okkadu'), `Rabba Rabba' (`Aks'), the retro `It's the Time to Disco' (`Kal Ho Naa Ho') to the recent `Where's the Party Tonight?' (`Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'), hazel-eyed Vasundhara Das has many a hit to her credit.

Vasundhara, a polyglot, says, "I speak Tamil as I was born in Tamil Nadu; I am comfortable with Kannada because I lived in Bangalore; I am proud to converse in Hindi because I am an Indian and English is what we've all learnt in school." These cool words come from a singer/actor who began training in Hindustani classical music when she was six.

In the few years she's been in the entertainment business, she's "been there, done that," working with some tinsel town greats, language-no-barrier.

Fan of Malayalam films

With a self-confessed `special' liking for Malayalam films, this Mount Carmel alumnus from Bangalore says she learnt a lot sharing the arc lights in the company of Kamal Hassan and Mohanlal. Unlike most of her ilk, she hasn't let the spotlight affect her and remains down to earth.

Although she made her debut as an actor in Kamal Hassan's `Hey Ram' and acted in films such `Monsoon Wedding,' she is more in the reckoning for her repertoire of songs.

Vasundhara Das has also co-founded Arya, a band with Roberto Narain to dabble in World music, a fusion band called River and yet another group called Jam Tree for rock and funk music, playing reggae versions of songs from Police and Bob Marley.

While admitting that Dame Luck had indeed been generous, she says every situation is a learning experience. Beginning projects with an open mind and a willingness to learn does wonders, she says.

SURESH KRISHNAMOORTHY

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail