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

On a firm footing

CALM WATERS Pop singer Shael Oswal hates remixes

Looks can be deceptive and this fits pop singer Shael. With a happy go lucky expression, he accredits more to formal training and riyaaz, than is evident. "Music is all thanks to Biddu," he says, attributing his beginnings. With a past of formal training under Shiamak Davar behind him, he claims that he's more of a dancer. "But music is something I can't live without."

On Punjabi pop making its foray into music he simply nods. "There are about four or five kinds of beats in Punjabi music. I use hip-hop beats for my songs," he says. This is evident in `Hasna kamaal', a foot tapping number by him. "Pop music in India has slipped in its standards because of piracy. FM becoming a rage has also affected sales. If one plays a number on radio innumerable times, people won't go and buy the CD," he complains. His reply is blunt when it comes to remixes, "I hate them." Nowadays, Shael is humming a new note with the release of his album, "Aitbaar".

Bright future

"It is a mix of Punjabi and Hindi and has something for everyone," he says. With two songs for Aadesh Srivastava and a number for Shiney Ahuja in the pipeline, the Ludhiana-born singer is optimistic about the future.

Experiments with the `alternative' genre are also on the list. And armed with his own CDR unit for music production Shael Oswal is slowly but steadily all set to churn out more melodies in times to come.

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