GENERAL DISCUSSION TOPIC OF SHREYA

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THIS NEW FORUM THREAD IS DEDICATED TO SHREYA GHOSHAL....

POST ALL ARTICLE,NEWS ABOUT HER....

this thread is extension of my Shreya Ghoshal site:

http://www.freewebs.com/shreya-ghosal

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A BRIEF ON SHREYA GHOSHAL:

Early years
Of Bengali origin, Ghosal grew up in the remote southern corner of Rajasthan, in the small township of Rawatbhata near the city of Kota. Her father works in Bhabha Atomic Research Center as an Engineer in the nuclear power plant by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (BARC) and mother is a postgraduate in literature. She belongs to a highly academic family. Her early days as a singer started from the age of four. Her mother was a good singer and whenever she used to play any note on the harmonium, Shreya used to sing correctly on her own.[citation needed] Her father recognized her talent and decided to give her proper training. But as she was residing in an isolated place near Kota, she could not get much help. Later on she started going to Kota and started learning proper Hindustani classical music.

She auditioned for Sa Re Ga Ma, an Indian television show, and they sent her for a year and a half training. It was here that music director Ismail Darbar discovered her and determined that she should be the voice of Paro, the heroine in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas (played on-screen by Aishwarya Rai). She began recording songs for the movie in 2000; the film itself was released two years later.


Career
Moviegoers from across the world heard Ghosal's singing voice pictured on Aishwarya Rai, and she quickly became one of the top female playback singers in Bollywood, alongside Alka Yagnik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sadhana Sargam and Kavita Krishnamurthy. Since Devdas, she has gone on to sing for many more actresses under the baton of various music directors, including M.M. Kreem, for whom she sang "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai", a sensuous number pictured on Bipasha Basu in Jism.

She targeted doing good work and has won many awards (8 awards in a single year including a National Award).

Ghosal has completed her college education, and is planning to pursue her MA in literature, a subject which she adores. She enjoys Symphony and instrumental in western music and her favourite is ABBA group. But Indian music is definitely her soul. Her voice has a texture that suits romantic songs and she can project voice very well (a fine example is "Jadu Hai Nasha Hai " from Jism). She is also comfortable singing sad songs or peppy songs. She has recorded in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi, besides Hindi. Apart from Devdas, she has done songs for Jism, Saaya, Inteha, Out of Control, Khakee, Munnabhai MBBS, Dhoop, Kuchh Kaha Aapne, Aarman, Desh Devi, Tujhe Meri Kasam, LOC Kargil, Aetbaar, Police Force, Lage Raho Munnabhai, etc.


Hindi
Mr Khujli - 2008 (Unreleased)
Guru -2007
Rehguzar - 2006
Jackpot - The Money Game 2006
Aryan - Unbreakable 2006
Vivah - 2006
Woh Lamhe 2006
Iqraar - By Chance 2006
Dor 2006
Shiva 2006
Kachchi Sadak 2006
Naksha 2006
The Killer 2006
Krrish
Ankahee 2006
Banaras 2006
Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi 2005
Tumsa Nahin Dekha 2005
Aashiq Banaya Aapne 2005
Nazar 2005
Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye 2005
Shabd 2005
Blackmail 2005
Dil Maange More 2004
Khakee 2004
Munnabhai MBBS 2003
Devdas 2002

Marathi
"Masta Shaaradiya raat" This album was launched on 27 th May 2006.

Shreya Ghoshal has sung melodious songs in new Marathi album. Lyrics in this album are written by noted Marathi author from Maharashtra, Late Dr. Vasant Krishna Warhadpande (Nagpur).

Other singers are Pt. Suresh Wadkar, Suchitra Bhagwat and Abhijit Rane. Album has introductory note by famous Marathi artist Dr. Girish Oak

"Masta Shaaradiya raat"is produced by Dr. Kulkarni and Dr. Harkare, daughters of late Dr. Warhadpande, in the memory of their late parents and brothers.


Kannada
Kannada listeners too are privileged to hear Sherya Ghoshal’s ‘magical’ voice. The first opportunity came in 2003, when she sung the song ‘Krishna nee begane baaro’ for the movie ‘Paris Pranaya’. Her latest numbers include ‘Araluthiru’ from the hit movie ‘Mungaru Male’.Some of her mesmerizing tracks in Kannada include:

Krishna nee begane baro - Paris Pranaya - 2003
Rome rome - Paris Pranaya - 2003
L O V E ge - love - 2004
Usiraguve hasiraguve - Maurya - 2004
E manasella neene - monalisa - 2005
Bachiko ninnali - Chappale - 2005
Munjaneya - News - 2005
Nann sona sona - Gowramma - 2005
seritu mana seritu - Namma basava - 2005
Aha yentha a kshana - Akash - 2005
Gilli - Ravishastri - 2006
bhagyada balegara - sevanthi sevanthi - 2006
Jaji mallige node - Sevanthi Sevanthi - 2006
O gunavantha - Jote joteyali - 2006
Yen chanda - Ajay -2006
Yaarivanu - Madana - 2006
Aralitiru - Mungaru male - 2007
Ivanu geleyanalla - 2007
turu tunturu - Sajni - 2007

Tamil
In Tamil, she has sung many songs. Her pronunciation is her greatest strength - her pronunciation of the zh syllable which is unique to Tamil is flawless. Her first Tamil song is "Chellamai Chellam endrayada" with Hariharan from the film Album. Then she sang 2 great melodies in Balumahendra's "Julie Ganapathy". The songs are "Enakku piditha padal" and "Idayame Idayame". All three were great hits. Quite a few of her songs are the famous "Munbe Vaa" with sensation with Naresh Iyer from Sillunu Oru kadhal,"Unna Vida" from Virumaandi with Dr. Kamal Hassan,"Panithuli" from Kanda Naal Muthal with KayKay. She has attained a mass following in a language which is not her forte. She sang "Azhaginazhagi askawa" in Unakku18 Enakku20 and "Uruguthe" in Veyil and her latest song is "Ayyayo" from "Paruthiveeran". The great S.P.Balasubrahmanyam in his recent interview praised Shreya as one singer who flawlessly sings in Tamil. Her recent concert in Chennai was a great success due to her large fan following especially because it was her first direct solo concert in Chennai.

In her interview she said "She likes Tamil language a lot and she is amazed about the wealth of the language and this language has the ability to show the full talent of the singer".

Telugu
In Telugu she started her career with the film "Okkadu". From then onwards, she has sung nearly 71 songs up to date. Some of her telugu hit songs are:

Thalachi Thalachi Choosa Album: 7G Brindhavan Colony
Nuvvena Naa Nuvvena Album: Anand
Vachhe Vachhe Album: Anand
Righto Lefto Album: Anukokunda Oka Roju
Andamlo Andhra Kosta Album: Laxmi Narasimha
Indradhanshu Album: Maha Nandi
Nee Kosam Album: Nenunnanu
Nuvve Naa Swasa Album: Okariki Okaru
Vellipothe Ela Album: Okariki Okaru
Kopama Album: Varsham
Neelo jarige thanthu Album:Balu abcdefg
Enni ashalo Album:Jai
Pillagali allari Album:Athadu
Preme Neramouna Album : Maya Bazaar

Awards

Filmfare Award in the year 2003 for Jadu Hai Nasha Hai from Jism.
National Award in the year 2003 for Bairi Piya from Devdas
Zee-Cine Award in the year 2003 for Dola Re Dola from Devdas
Sansui Award in the year 2003 for Dola Re Dola from Devdas
IIFA Award in the year 2003 for Jadu Hai Nasha Hai from Jism
R.D.Burman Award in the year 2003
AV-MAX Award in the year 2003
Stardust Award in the year 2003
2006: Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Female for Piyu Bole (Parineeta)

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A bit old article...
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'I simply closed my eyes and sang'
18-year-old Shreya Ghoshal gives voice to Aishwarya's Paro in Devdas

Ronjita Kulkarni

Shreya Ghoshal is a typical college girl.

What makes Shreya different from the rest of her ilk is the fact that she has bagged the biggest film of the year --- Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai and Jackie Shroff. Shreya playbacks for Aishwarya Rai (who plays Paro).

Eighteen-year-old Shreya considers herself very lucky. It is not everyday that a filmmaker like Sanjay Leela Bhansali calls you up and offers you a film. The singer, like the rest of the cast and crew, is obsessed with her debut film --- she has even set her mobile phone ring to Bairi piya, her song in Devdas.

Shreya, who arrived in Mumbai five years ago after spending her childhood near Kota in the northwest Indian state of Rajasthan, discloses how she bagged the coveted film: "Sa Re Ga Ma, a popular Indian television show at the time, was on the lookout for talented singers. I grabbed the opportunity and mailed my songs in a cassette. Within days, I was called to audition." She sang her way to the children's finals, where she won.

The judges, musical duo Kalyanji-Anandji were so impressed with her that Kalyanji took her under his wing and trained her for a year-and-half.

When Bhansali noticed Shreya on the show, he knew immediately that this was the voice he wanted for Paro. It had innocence.

Shreya continues, "Sanjayji tried to trace me. I remember that phone call. I could not believe that the director of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was on the line, asking for me. The film was such a hit, yet Sanjayji was so polite and humble. I was speechless."

Shreya was auditioned and selected. She remembers her first sitting: March 9, 2000. And the first song she recorded was Bairi piya, "I remember I was asked to rehearse the song once before finally recording it. I simply closed my eyes and sang without a break. When I opened my eyes, I noticed a lot of excitement and chaos outside the recording room. Then Sanjayji told me I had sung the song so well that they had recorded it at one go."

The song has done very well on the Indian charts and has made Shreya very popular in her social circle. "My friends keep teasing me with, Issh [a refrain in the song]! I do not mind it."

Playbacking for Aishwarya is almost a dream come true for Shreya. She states, "I have always admired Aishwarya. I was so excited when I realised I would sing for her. I met her first on the sets of Devdas. She is so humble. I remember between shots, we would sit together, and Sanjayji would ask me to sing Lataji's (Mangeshkar) songs. Aishwarya has a ear for music, so she would join in too."

She adds, "When I sang, I imagined myself to be Paro. Just like Aishwarya. I tried to bring in the Paro's pain, confidence and innocence."

About the director, Shreya says, "I never imagined I would work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He guided me a lot. I was nervous initially, but the cast and crew were so good to me. Ismailji [Durbar, composer] was also very nice to me."

What is most memorable for her is the experience of singing with those she had always admired --- Udit Narayan, Kavita Subramanium, Jaspinder Narula, K K and Pandit Birju Maharaj. "They encouraged me to give my best. I remember once, Uditji told me I that since I had talent and luck, no one could stop me from achieving my goals. This was a great moral boost, coming from such a senior artiste."

She adds, "Kavitaji and I sang Dola re dola together. We had a great time. I kept observing her."

Shreya, who first performed at four, says her mother is an amateur classical singer and her a music aficionado. Her father, an engineer working at Mumbai's Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, took a transfer from Kota to Mumbai only to further his daughter's interests. "When Kalyanji offered to train me, I was still in Kota. He advised my father to take a transfer to Mumbai if I wanted a career in music."

"Devdas has changed my life," she continues. "I now have to balance my life to include college and my career." Among her forthcoming films are Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Munna Bhai MBBS, [director] Shiva's Hindi version of the Telugu hit Badri, Viju Shah's Tujhe Mere Kasam and three films with Ismail Durbar --- Julie, Thoda Tum Bolo Thoda Hum and Desh Devi.

Shreya also has her own plans. "I want to establish myself in the industry. Then I will cut an [independent] album. I want to come out with a new concept, break the monotony in music. Lata Mangeshkar's Meera bhajan was so out of the ordinary, a trendsetter. I too want to explore different styles of music."

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On getting Filmfare Nomination :
Urvashi Ashar

How does it feel getting two nominations for the Filmfare Award in the Best Playback Singer (female) category?
“Being nominated for the Filmfare Awards is always a thrilling feeling. It’s excitement of the highest level. I’ve been nominate earlier too, but this time I’ve got two nominations. I am indeed very happy because these two songs are very close to my heart.”

If you were to choose between Agar Tum Mil Jao and Piyu Bole , which one would it be?
“It’s a very unfair question. I really can’t answer this one.”

Were you expecting a nomination?
“I was expecting a nomination, but only one, not two.”

Who’s your toughest competitor?
“That’s difficult to say because Kajra Re has been the most popular track of the year, and Sunidhi is a brilliant singer, so it’s going to be tough. All songs are good and popular, and I am glad just being a part of the list.”

If you do win, how will you celebrate?
No plans. I’m not ready for winning yet. I’ll probably celebrate with family.”

How is life after Devdas?

Work wise it has been good after Devdas. My major film was Jism because it got me lots of awards and lots of critical acclaim-particularly the song ‘jadoo hai nasha hai’-even others like ‘khushiyan and chalo tumko lekar chalein’. Were noticed. This made my foothold stronger. After that there were films like ‘Munnabhai MBBS, Saaya, Main hoon na, Tumsa nahin dekha. Garv, Dhoop, Dhoom.

My kind of song?

It’s difficult to say because I do sing everything happily. If the composition touches your heart somewhere there is great satisfaction in singing it. That’s what I look for-soul because those are the kind of songs that last. The song should be soulful and I should have enough scope to express myself put in something-anything that gives me scope for variety for creativity for imbuing it with emotion-that’s the kind of song we all look for. I like singing.

The little girl has grown up hasn’t she?

Yes you had seen me three years ago when I was just beginning my career. I have always been positive about myself. I have never been timid or shy. I have always been an extrovert but confidence definitely comes with experience and assurance from people around so one grows with time. When I sing in concerts I meet a lot of people. I have audiences coming to listen to my songs-that’s boosts ones confidence. I have matured in that I have begun to understand the film industry, and life and people in general. Many of my friends at this age may not get the experiences that I am getting. So in a small span of time I meet a lot of people I have to handle so many different types of sensibilities, it’s plus point.

Any non-film albums?

Not currently. But I did one called ‘Tera mera pyar’ it was one with various artistes and I had four songs-the song ‘yeh kya hua became popular in that. That album happened accidently. I wasn’t meaning to do it.

How important are live shows?

They’ve always been important our legendary stars too have done shows but their magnitude was bigger, there were live orchestras etc today we perform with the electronic orchestra and for smaller audiences- and one doesn’t earn so much from playback singing so shows are an avenue to earn additional income.

Forthcoming releases?

Parineeta, Rakesh Rosha’s next-a sequel to Koi mil gaya for which a couple of songs have been recorded, there’s Shahrukh’s next production which is being directed by Amol Palekar. Dil maange more has just released Gumnaam, Blackmail etc.

Are there too many singers today?

It’s good-that times have changed. There is a different requirement for every song and a variety of voices to fulfill those requirements. It’s nice that there isn’t the same voice in every song and there is a fresh feel to everything. New voices to suit all age groups are very welcome. All singers are sharing the space and there are different audiences for different styles so that’s a good thing

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'I'm representing Indian art and music'
Patcy N | March 24, 2006 17:38 IST

Shreya Ghosal is very excited.

In Melbourne for the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, the singer is one of the participants in the cultural extravaganza that will showcase India, the host of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and its rich diversity.

"I feel very proud that I am here to invite the Commonwealth Games to our country and I am representing Indian music and art," says Ghosal on the phone from Melbourne, where she arrived on Thursday.

"I am really happy. It is a different kind of experience, which is I am sure I will remember through out my life," she adds.

Bollywood stars participating in the event include Aishwarya Rai, Rani Mukerji, Saif Ali Khan, Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra and Isha Sharwani.

Percussion virtuosos Taufiq Qureshi and Sivamani will strut their stuff and singers Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam and Shiamak Davar will be performing as well.

"I am singing the Delhi theme song Delhi chale chalna hai chal (written by Gulzar and put to music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy). We have just 11 minutes for India and our song is around three-and-a-half minutes. It appears at the finale of the cultural program," says Shreya.

She, Sonu and Sunidhi will be wearing costumes with the colours of the Indian flag, which have been designed by Anna Singh.

"It is fantastic because this is not just about singing but also about participating in the Commonwealth games," says Ghosal, who informs us that they have already rehearsed once. Though the Melbourne Cricket Ground – the venue -- is occupied, the Indian team of musicians, dancers and singers have been rehearsing at a different venue, which is also a huge ground.

"Rehearsals are fun and they are going great. Even though it is very hot in Melbourne right now, we are enjoying. Australia is a very vibrant country. Melbourne especially is the centre of art and culture," says Shreya, who will be leaving for India on Monday.

"People here are very nice friendly and peace loving. It's fun to be associated with such a wonderful country, people and occasion. There is a festive environment everywhere," she adds.

What about shopping? She doesn't like shopping while on work, is Ghosal's professional answer.

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She’s image-conscious and says she wouldn’t really sing the mobile number kind of songs. Meet Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s discovery, singer Shreya Ghoshal, who sings for Aishwarya Rai in Devdas...

Shreya Ghoshal’s sweet voice strikes you when you start talking to her. It made an impact on Sanjay Leela Bhansali too, two years back, when he heard her on Sa Re Ga Ma, and decided to launch her as as a singer in Devdas. Today, 18-year-old Shreya is looking forward to being listened to as Aishwarya Rai’s voice in Bhansali’s ambitious film. “I am all excited and nervous, but I am confident that the songs will be liked,” says the debutant singer.

It was Shreya’s father who coaxed her to take up singing since he felt she had it in her. “Dad is an electronics engineer with the Nuclear Power Corporation, but he is quite fond of music. When I started singing at the age of four, dad felt that I should take it up seriously. My Naniji is a classical singer and my mother too is a good singer, though she doesn’t sing professionally. So I guess it came down to me from them. But had it not been for my dad egging me on, I would never have made it into a career.”

With her father by her side, Shreya entered the state level singing competition from her hometown Kota, in Rajasthan, and won it. “It was my first competition and winning it was a big boost. I then took part in the national level competition, the All India Light Vocal competition, in New Delhi, and ended up winning that too. Kalyanji-Anandji, Rajan-Sajan Mishra were among the judges. I remember the year was 1994 and I was 10 years old, and I had sung the song from Lekin, Suno ji araj mari...’,” she recalls.

At around the same time, Sa Re Ga Ma commenced telecast and Shreya’s father felt she needed to be on the show. “I recorded a song on a cassette at home and send it, and in a month’s time I was called for the audition. Since I was just 11, I was a part of the Children’s Special of Sa Re Ga Ma, and ended up winning it. Kalyanji, who was the judge here too, asked me to shift to Mumbai to hone my singing talent. My father also felt the same, and he took a transfer here. After that, for a year-and-a-half I learnt singing from Kalyanji. Presently I am training in classical singing under Mukta Bhide,” she informs.

Things took an unexpected turn for the better when, one fine day, she got a call from Gajendra Singh of Sa Re Ga Ma asking her to take part in the second mega-finals. “I was surprised since I was just 14 then, and didn’t qualify as a senior participant. But Gajendraji asked me to participate since one of the finalists didn’t turn up, and he felt I had a good chance of winning it,” she says, “And would you believe it, I won the mega-finals. It was in that Sa Re Ga Ma episode that Bhansaliji noticed me. And what impressed him was the fact that I was singing his favourite song, a Meera bhajan.”

Shreya tells us that when Bhansali wanted to contact her to sing for Devdas, he didn’t remember her name and got it from Gajendra Singh. “I remember the date, it was March 9, 2000. Bhansaliji called me up and asked me to meet him. I couldn’t believe it, and was too stunned to react,” she says, “When we met, he asked me to sing some Lata Mangeshkar songs. Later, he had me sing a song from Devdas, and liked the way I sang it. He then told me I would be singing for Devdas.”
Her first professional recording was an experience she’ll always cherish, says the young singer. “I went to the recording studio and Sanjay uncle and composer Ismail Darbarji asked me to get comfortable with the mike. They then asked me to get acquainated with the song, which was Bairi piya...’ and sing it casually. After I finished singing the song, they revealed to me that it was the final take. Sanjay uncle was so happy he gave me a hug. He then told me that had I been informed beforehand that it was the final take, I would have become conscious, and maybe not sung it confidently,” she says.

If ‘Bairi piya...’ was a cakewalk, recording the next number ‘Silsila ye chahat ka...’, Shreya’s solo song in the film, was a bit tough. “I just couldn’t get the mood of the song right. And after some takes, I started crying. But Ismailji and Sanjay uncle were very encouraging and told me I could do it. Their faith in me did the trick, and after that I got the song just right. After the recording, Bhansaliji and Ismailji said since I do a better job after I cry, they would make me cry everytime before the recording,” she laughs.

Shreya has sung five of the 10 songs in the film, and is the voice of Aishwarya Rai, who plays Paro. “The fifth song has me singing just three lines, but I have been given the credit,” she says. Though Bhansali was the guiding force, Shreya says she did her homework and tried to grasp the situations. “I first read the novel and it had me crying throughout. Before recording the songs, we had a lot of rehearsals, and I was involved in the making of the tracks right from the beginning,” she says, “Bhansaliji was of course instrumental in me getting the right mood. He’d explain the situations in detail, and help me get the apt expressions.”

And did she keep in mind the fact that she was singing for Aishwarya Rai? “Not Aishwarya Rai, I had to keep in mind that I was singing for Paro,” she points out, “It’s always the character one has to sing for, not the actress. I can’t change my voice according to the actress. A singer’s voice ultimatley ends up suiting whoever is singing it on screen. But yes, the character has to be understood and the expressions given by the singer should match the artiste’s feelings on screen. Also a composer explains the song, but the singer gives the colour to it through his/her understanding.”

Besides ‘Bairi piya...’ and ‘Silsila yeh chahat ka...’, Shreya has sung ‘Chhalak chhalak...,’ and ‘Dola re dola...’. Which is her favourite song? “I like every song. Every song of the film is appealing. There’s versatility in the score. Though Ismailji’s score is classically inclined, according to the theme of the film, and there are some mujras, there are peppy songs too, though not with techno beats. ‘Maar daala...’ is already being liked and other songs too should endear themselves to the people.” But she must be having a preference for a number? Thinking a bit, she answers, “Yes, I like ‘Dola re dola...’, the competition dance number bewteen Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai.”
So after the classy songs of Devdas, will she sing the racy, What is mobile number kind of songs too? “I don’t think I’d like to sing such songs, though they are the youthful kind of songs, and preferred by the masses. The words of a song matter to me and they should be meaningful. I am very image-conscience,” she explains, “And after the high standard of songs for Devdas, I don’t think anybody would approach me with these mobile number kind of songs.”

Shreya did get singing offers, but since she was busy with her exams, and later since Bhansali wanted to launch her, she couldn’t take up any of them. Says she, “I am now looking forward to singing for films. But I think I’ll be selective.”

Like all upcoming singers, Shreya too idolises Lata Mangeshkar. “Nobody can surpass her,” the singer gushes, “And I just love Rafiji and Talat Mehmood, whose voice quality is unmatchable. Also, I like Ashaji’s (Bhosle) adas and nakhras.”

And she has a dream too. “Maybe, sometime later in life, when I get older with experience, I’d like to sing those kind of tough compositions, especially the Meera bhajans that Lataji sang for Hridaynath Mangeshkar,” she hopes.

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Sounds of a winner
Somashukla Sinha Walunjkar

You can hear the joie de vivre in her voice even from a distance. Playback's rising musician Shreya Ghosal may be young, but she sure knows what she wants out of life. “I don’t have the freedom to choose the songs I have to do. That’s something actors are allowed to do. I only choose the banners and the directors I would like to work with. But I will never sing songs with double meanings,” she says.

Tera Mera Pyar, Shreya’s first non-film album, is a feel-good, entertaining album with mushy, soft, romantic numbers. “The concept is novel: a popcorn romance in a movie hall. It’s a marked departure from the remix albums that have deluged the music market.” Shreya says musicians like Leslie Lewis and Harry Anand can make a world of a difference even to a regular remix. “You don't necessarily need pretty models to market an album.”

Shreya, 20, graduated in English Literature from SIES College, Mumbai, earlier this year. Outside the recording studio, she is a regular youngster who likes reading (even if it's through the night: between 12 am-4 am), watching movies on her DVD player and catching up on her beauty sleep. “I don’t have much of a social life but I don’t need one. There’s plenty of time to catch up on my life after I’ve become successful.”

Modesty comes easy to one of the most successful voices in playback singing. “It is unfair to label me a top-notch singer just on the strength of a Devdas or a Jism. I have a lot to achieve professionally.” Sounds just right.
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SHREYA GHOSAL - INTERVIEW - OWES HER CAREER TO PARENTS

Shreya Ghoshal who won the hearts of music lovers with her voice in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Devdas, was recently in New Delhi for the Kala Shree Music Awards 2004. Shreya became a popular playback singer in a very short span of time. She talks with the smashits team and expresses her love for music and also elaborates her future plans.

Excerpts of her recent interview:

How did you become popular in a very short time?

Yes, it is true that I got success in a very short time. I would like to tell you that I have done a lot of hard work to get to this position. But it is also true that the love and appreciation, which audiences have given to me is the main reason of my success.

Who do you give credit for your success?

The whole credit goes to my parents and my teacher. They made me so perfect that today I can say that yes I am Shreya Ghoshal.

How do you feel after getting this award?

I am very thankful to Punjabi Kala Sangam that has chosen me for this award. I am also thankful to the Dilliwalaas who showed such an interest in me and gave me such a prestigious award.

As a singer what would you think about the present condition of India?

You see, I am not a politician and I dont know anything about politics. But I would like to say that we are Indians and we all have to work for strengthening our country. And as a singer I will do whatever I can do.

Do have any future plan to do act in any movie?

No. Not at all. I am singer and I want to be remain a singer only. I want to pay my full attention to singing.

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Young and talented
Shreya Ghosal’s flawless rendition of songs like Bairi Piya in Devdas has made her one of the most sought-after playback singers, finds out
RAJIV VIJAYAKAR

The tragic saga Devdas had a happy ending for singer Shreya Ghosal, the voice of Paro in the film’s music soundtrack. Or make that a happy beginning. For this daughter of a NPC (Nuclear Power Corporation) scientist seems to have the clear-headed acumen and professionalism needed to capitalise on a dream break.

At 19, Shreya - student of English Literature in a city college - has taken her place in the topmost echelons of female playback singing. In just one year after the release of Devdas, Shreya has opened her account with every music director who matters - Anu Malik, Nadeem-Shravan, A R Rehman (in Tamil and Telugu films as of now), Rajesh Roshan, Anand Raaj Anand, Himesh Reshammiya and Jatin-Lalit.

Given today’s different and fast work ethic, does she get a chance to develop her skills and learn the way singers did under master-composers earlier? “Of course,” she replies. “Each composer has specific requirements and guides me in those, so that the overall effect is a continual learning process. I have also been lucky enough to attend workshops on voice training from (late) uncle Kalyanji (-Anandji) and recently sang for (Laxmikant-) Pyarelal-ji.”

A child prodigy, Shreya was a mere four years of age when her musical flair was noticed by her parents. Recalls Shreya, “Dad was posted about 70 km from Kota in Rajasthan. Our colony was so isolated that there was no hope of finding a music teacher there. So my mother Sharmistha Ghosal, who is a trained singer, became my first teacher. But dad took the initiative of getting me to learn music in Kota from Master Maheshchandra Sharma. From the age of eight, for four years, Mom and I would travel thrice a week to Kota by a dusty state transport bus though it took three hours for a one-way journey!”

The Mumbai chapter began after Shreya won a couple of finals in the Zee TV show Sa Re Ga Ma. At the recommendation of composer Kalyanji, who was one of the judges, Shreya’s dad gustily took a transfer to Mumbai. At the mega-finals of the show, Sanjay Leela Bhansali saw Shreya and traced her. “He called me over and asked me to sing one composition each of his favourite composers,” exults Shreya. “And the next thing I knew I was singing in Devdas for Aishwarya Rai!”

How does she handle so much success and fame at 19? Soberly, Shreya says, “It’s a great feeling. God has blessed me. After a dream break like Devdas, and the string of awards that I have won this year, loads of expectations have been created. If I make a mistake now, I may not get another chance.”

What does she think is the secret of her rapid success? “Good vocal quality and singing ability are key factors,’ she feels. “Your tonal quality should match heroines and at the same time display a definite individuality so that your voice is recognised even if people are not familiar with your face. I was lucky to get an easy entry, and Jism, where the songs were a complete contrast to those in Devdas, gave me a great advantage since it showed a completely different Shreya from my first film.”

Shreya approaches a song with the interesting philosophy that the composer of the tune has created a figure that singers have to colour. “For that we have to understand what he tells us, and equally important, what he does not tell,” reveals the singer whose assignments include Shah Rukh Khan’s Main Hoon Na, Vinod Chopra’s Munnabhai MBBS, Rajkumar Santoshi’s Khakee, Mukesh Bhatt’s Zaroorat, Vikram Bhatt’s Aitbaar and Basu Chaterjee’s new film apart from several Tamil and Telugu films.

What about doing albums, I ask her. Shreya says, “I will do them only if I get something special. I am not interested in cover versions and remixes. And I believe in good music, not pop albums!”

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She is Magical :
Deepika Sahu
[ 5 Apr, 2006 2112hrs IST TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

She was just 16 when Sanjay Leela Bhansali signed her for Devdas.

Success raga: I don't take life in terms of success. Of course, goals motivate me. But I breath, eat and sleep music. Bhansali saw me on television and had heard all my songs before signing me for his film. I feel hardwork and talent is what leads to success.

The road to music: My father is a scientist. I started my performance in a club's annual function. My maternal grand-mother is a classical singer and my mother has a wonderful sense of music. But it's my father who initiated me into music. However, coming from an academic background, there was always peer pressure to go for technical courses.

Bairi piya to Jadoo hai nasha hai: I started play-back singing with Devdas as the songs had a classical feel to it. Jism helped to broaden my canvas. And recently Parineeta gave me a great chance as a singer.

Studio blues: I consider studios as my home and one doesn't feel nervous at home. But when there's too much expectation from a song, I do feel the pressure.

Memorable moments: It was wonderful to perform at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne recently. Being with so many athletes from different countries was simply amazing. And of course winning the National Award was also a moment of pride.

I would have loved: To sing with Kishore Kumar.

I get excited by: People doing extra-ordinary things. So my wish list is forever getting longer: To go on an Antarctica expedition, mountain climbing, bungee jumping and... Good food also excites me and I share this passion with my father.
deepika.sahu@tim

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The twinkle in her eyes takes you deep into the creative world.

Her sweet smile can soothe many a tense nerves, but her biggest asset is her melodious voice. A good singer with a good a voice – a rare phenomenon that has happened to Bollywood. Winner of eight major awards including the national award, 2003. Discover the child prodigy – Shreya Ghoshal, who greeted me with her favorite song, Aji rooth kar ab kahan jaayiyega, jahaan jaayiyega hame paayiyega…how truly said. As these days, she is extremely busy recording, virtually every movie has at least one song rendered by her (Jahan Suniyega, Shreya ko paayiyega). In spite of her hectic schedule, Shreya managed to grant an interview in between recordings. Shreya Ghoshal in conversation with Francis Coutinho from Showbizindia.com

SB : How did your first break in playback singing come about?
SG : Well my first break came through TVS Sa Re Ga Ma, the music talent hunt show on Zee TV. Being a perpetual contestant and winner of several episodes, I was selected for the 75th Children’s special episode of TVS Sa Re Ga Ma, which I won. Later on, I also won the children’s mega final show way back in 1996, at the age of twelve. During one of the episodes, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had heard me and was very impressed by my performance. Sanjayji remembered me, and after a year and a half, he called me. That’s how Devdas happened to me, which was my debut film as a playback singer.

SB : What were your early days like as a singer?
SG : My early days as a singer started from the age of four, well I really don’t remember the fourth year of my life (says Shreeya with her bubbly attitude). But as my parents say, I was very surili (melodious). My mother was a good singer and whenever she used to play any note on the harmonium, I used to sing correctly of my own. My father recognized the talent in me and decided to give me proper training. But there was a problem in the beginning, there were not many singing teachers available, as in those days, I was living in an isolated place called, Rawatbhata near Kota, Rajasthan, where my father was posted as an Engineer in the nuclear power plant by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. Later on I started going to Kota, where I had to travel for 70 kms, once a week. Thereafter, I started learning proper Hindustani classical music.

SB : How did you get to sing for Devdas and what was the selection process like?
SG : In fact Sanjayji had already decided that I would be singing for Paro (Aishwarya Rai), but he wanted the music director, Ismail Darbar to hear me. So he called me for about three days, it was unlike an audition rather than a get together, a kind of a Mehfil, which all of them enjoyed very much.

SB : From winning accolades as a child singer to working with some of the top names in the film and music business … how was the journey like?
SG : The journey has been very enjoyable right from the beginning. I have always targeted doing good work. Yet, it’s a big achievement that in a year I have won so many awards, especially the national award, it’s a very big honour and I believe it’s one of the biggest reasons that I have started working better.

SB : How did life change after the huge success of Devdas?
SG : Personally life has not changed much, I am still the same person. But professionally life has changed a lot, the schedules are hectic and I enjoy all that very much. In fact, on a day when I don’t have work, I feel bored. I think after Devdas, people know me, even though they have taken time to recognize and slowly they are getting the feel and essence of Shreya in the industry. I am grateful to all those people who have shown faith in me and continue doing so.

SB : What is the essence of Shreya?
SG : The essence of Shreya is that when I go to the studio, I just don’t go and sing on the mike and come back. I enjoy interacting with people, the way I joke, they say I have a good sense of humour. I cannot just simply sing in a tense situation, and that is very important. I need a very conducive atmosphere, with khaana-pina, mauj- masti, so that I can give my best. That is the essence of Shreya.

SB : Who is your favourite singer in Indian as well as Western music?
SG : I enjoy Symphony and instrumental in western music. But Indian music is definitely my soul. I have heard and learnt a lot from most of the Indian singers. I believe it’s a blend of all of them in me, as I have heard all of them so many times since childhood that all of them are my favorite, I patronise everyone. For western music I don’t think I have any favorite singer in particular, but the ABBA group is my favorite, and I like the song, ‘I have a dream‘

SB : What would Shreya Ghosal be if she were not a singer?
SG : I will have to ask God for that. But I think I was destined to be a singer. Actually I belong to a highly academic family. My father is an Electronics Engineer, employed with Nuclear Power Corporation India Ltd. as a Chief Engineer. My mother is a postgraduate in literature. I have studied science till the twelfth, and at the moment I am pursuing my final year in B.A. But had I not got to sing for Devdas, then perhaps I would have ended up doing medicine or biotechnology, as my other major interest is towards genetic engineering. But ultimately I feel, whatever I would have done, I would have definitely returned to music.

SB : Given a choice what would you like to sing that would be memorable?
SG : There is one song that keeps haunting me constantly… ‘Kis Tarah Bhoolega Dil, Unka Khayal Aaya Hua, Jaa Nahin Sakta Kabhi…’ it was a song sung by Noor Jahan. It has got fantastic music, which penetrates deep into the soul. I also prefer singing romantic songs, as I feel my voice has a texture that suits romantic songs and I can project my voice very well, but I am also comfortable singing sad songs or peppy songs, it’s a real challenge.

SB : In which languages have you sung, besides Hindi?
SG : I have recorded in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi, besides Hindi.


SB : Other than Devdas, which Hindi movies have you recorded for?
SG : Well apart from Devdas, I have done Jism, Saaya, Inteha, Out of Control, Khakee, Munnabhai MBBS, Dhoop, Kuchh Kaha Aapne, Aarman, Desh Devi, Tujhe Meri Kasam, LOC, Aetbaar, Police Force etc.

SB : Which are the other awards that you have won, besides the national award?
SG : It was a great honour to win the National Award 2003, as a best playback singer (female). But besides that I have also won other awards like, Filmfare Award, Filmfare R. D. Burman Award, Zee-Cine Award, Sansui Award, Stardust Award, IFFA Award and AV-MAX Award, all within a year (2003).


Shreya Ghoshal’s Comments On showbizindia.com
Showbizindia.com is amazing! It has a lot of variety, a very good platform for creative people like me to be featured. I thank you for this interview and for considering me as the artist of the month.
2/12/2003

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Sharing Notes With Shreya
Author: Dr.Mandar


As soon as the MMI-event PR-person introduces me to her, Shreya Ghoshal exclaims, “Oh, but we have already spoken before! Wasn’t that about the Fareb-song?” I am pleasantly surprised by her memory recall because that telephonic conversation was almost three months back. With her pleasant nature and typically Bengali good looks, Shreya totally bowls me over. This slender, dusky singer who in her sweet melodious voice has been regularly belting hits like Bairi Piya, Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai and Kiska Hai Yeh Tumko Intezar is very candid and eloquent about her career and state of contemporary music. Long after the formal interview gets over, we keep chatting about past, present and future of Hindi film music. Here are the excerpts of this conversation.



What do you feel when superb songs like Teri Aankhon Se (Dhoop) and Suna Suna (Krishna Cottage) don’t get noticed, thanks to flop movies?



Obviously as an artiste you get disappointed when a good song is not appreciated for reasons other than music. For example, I don’t think a good album like Dhoop got its due. It had nice numbers and even the presence of Jagjit Singh. The album wasn’t promoted well and as a result, lost out. But it feels nice when knowledgeable listeners remember such forgotten songs and compliment about them!



What is your approach while singing on stage?



On stage, I am not really looking for the perfect execution of the song- it is more tuned to connect with audience. The onus is on impromptu improvisation according to the audience response. The attempt is to cast a spell- or rather attempt to cast a spell on the audience and get their applause. I just prefer to go with the flow of the song on stage.



With duets taking centre-stage in today’s film-music, what is your take as a singer to current trend of recording separate singer-tracks and then mixing them?



This trend has taken away the live, interactive element from the duets. It is all pre-planned and as a singer, one is not sure whether to ad any improvised bit or not. As far as possible I try to sing it after the male-part has been recorded, so that I am aware of what my co-singer has done in his take and then, I try to complement that. But unfortunately this is not possible to do for every duet, since sometimes I have to record first!



How was it working with composer Ismail Darbar in your first film- Devdas?



Darbar likes a lot of expression and modulation in his songs. He is very strict and on many occasions, I burst out crying after his scolding! I was very young then. I found it difficult to understand what he exactly wanted but Sanjayji (director Sanjay Leela Bhansali) helped me out.



Is there a time when you get a historical perspective while singing today’s songs?



There is a definite sense of history while working with Rajuji (Rajesh Roshan). He is from the old school and he wants proper rehearsals before the recording. I have to first understand the feel of the song from him and then I could improvise if I wanted. Rehearsing in his music-sitting-room gives me the goose pimples- thinking that this is the place where legends like Roshanji and Lataji have rehearsed before. Many a time, he shows how Lataji would throw a particular note in a particular manner and I try to grasp that. It is all very inspiring.



What do you feel about the current composers?



Himesh Reshammiya is very clear about what he wants in his songs, which have many planned, marked vocal effects like vibratos. He is very particular about getting them right and once the recording is over, you realize how much those effects have enhanced the song. Anu Malik is much more relaxed- a one-take okay kind of a composer. He also has his peculiar nuances for my songs. Shantanu Moitra (the composer of Parineeta) is a multifaceted person with a terrific musical talent. He is an intellectual who doesn’t follow the industry’s norms. His songs have great lyrics.



But the best composer for me has been M.M. Kreem. My songs for his Jism and Paheli have done well. His style is unique. At the time of rehearsing he records all that I am doing- whether it’s singing, laughing or speaking. Then he uses many bits from those unplanned, informal recordings into the final version of the song. He uses technology but with a human touch.



Do you think the present Hindi film-music is too westernized?



Yes, I do think that. We are aping the West for no reason and we are doing a bad job of it since we can’t even copy them that well!



Has this showbiz stint made you world wise?



I don’t think so. I am still very gullible and have been fooled by many in showbiz. I have often been chided by my father for this. Still I don’t get hurt by these incidents. Live and let live- that’s my motto!



So how do you feel looking back at your childhood days?



I grew up in Rawatbhata in Rajasthan, which is a beautiful riverside town. It was a perfect, carefree childhood- running around green trees, playing pebbles in sand, chatting with friends. Now whenever I am singing a song, which has a sense of nostalgia like the Yahan-song Urzu Urzu Durkut, those wonderful childhood memories come rushing back.



………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………



Best Of Shreya Ghoshal:



1. Bairi Piya – Devdas

2. Silsila Yeh Chahat Ka – Devdas

3. Suna Suna Tanha Tanha – Krishna Cottage

4. Jadoo Hai Nasha Hai- Jism

5. Chalo Tumko Lekar Chalein- Jism

6. Teri Aankhon Se Hi Jaage – Dhoop

7. Saansein Maddham Hai- Kasak

8. Dheere Jalna Dheere Jalna – Paheli (With Sonu Nigam)

9. Piyu Bole – Parineeta (With Sonu Nigam)

10. Urzu Urzu Durkut - Yahan

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Shreya Ghoshal- a talent beyond her years
Author: Dr.Mandar

When I first call her on the mobile, Shreya Ghoshal sounds like any other twenty- year old girl- a little hesitant, unsure of what to talk to a stranger. But as the conversation progresses and as she comes to realize my genuine admiration for her songs, soon that hesitancy disappears and the real Shreya emerges through her conversation. One thing is sure that behind that sweet, young voice lays an even more impressive intelligent mind.


This young singer who captivated millions of TV viewers right from her Kids Special Saregama days, has already won even more hearts of classes and masses with her sweet and melodious songs in films like Devdas, Jism, Dhoop, Krihshna Cottage, Munnabhai MBBS, Khaakee and Main Hoon Na. I still remember how one of my music aficionado friends had gushed after listening to her singing in Devdas – ‘Here’s a voice of the next millennium.’ I had not agreed to his assessment then, but if Shreya’s singing career graph over last few years is any indication, then that prediction is well on its way to becoming a reality.


Early Grooming:


When I ask, "So how did it all begin?" Shreya starts reminiscing about her childhood days spent in a small township Rawat Bhata near Kota, Rajasthan. " I come from a Bengali family. A good singer herself, mom was my first teacher in music. I was just four, when I first sang in a public function. Later, I started taking training in Hindustani classical music. The TV musical competition Saregama was my first big opportunity and in fact, through that program Sanjay Leela Bhansali spotted me as Paaro’s voice in Devdas."


Devdas: The Big Break

‘What were Bhansali’s expectations from your voice?’ When I ask this question, Shreya candidly answers, "I was just over sixteen when I sang those numbers like Bairi Piya, Silsila Yeh Chahat Ka and Dola Re Dola for Paaro. I don’t think that age- wise, I even had the maturity to carry off those heroine-numbers but somehow my voice has always sounded much more mature than my age. Sanjay-ji was looking for a similar voice- sweet, thin and innocent.


Both Sanjay-ji and I are big fans of Lataji’s singing and at the trial, when I sang few of her numbers like Jeevandor Tum Hi sang Baandhi, Sanjay-ji was really impressed and confirmed my selection. It was a big banner, a big break and a great experience. No, there wasn’t any musical discussion with Aiswarya Rai as Sanjay- ji was the captain of the ship. I consider him as my Godfather- he literally held my finger and taught me to walk in this field!"

‘What about Ismail Darbar?’ I ask her about the reclusive composer of this film and she says, "Oh, he was a real hard task-master. He is so talented but he is also very strict. For days, we worked on each tune. He also has a fiery temper and many a time, onlookers would find me crying after a scolding. But all he did was to ensure that we delivered the best output."


Jism: The image change


"Jism was the next milestone for me"- Shreya explains. "The songs like Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai and Chalo Tumko Lekar Chalein proved that I could do justice to sensuous numbers, too. That music proved that I wasn’t just a singer who could only sing classical or sentimental numbers. Then the rest of the hits like Chhan Chhan (Munnabhai MBBS), Vaada Raha (Khakee), Kiska Hai Yeh Tumko Intezar (Main Hoon Na) followed in its wake."


Then I ask her the obvious question, "How does she manage to bring in such rich emotions through her songs?" Shreya’s answer is thoughtful. "I learnt my singing by listening to great singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt and Noor Jehan. By imitating and imbibing their rich emotional singing style, I started my singing and slowly those emotions became a natural part of my singing. Over the years, I was able to evolve my own original style."


Present Music scenario:


Commenting on the present status of film music, Shreya says, "The onus is on quantity, rather than quality. The music programming is done in the morning; the singer learns the tune in the studio for 15 minutes and the recording is over in another hour. The whole process is so fast that the involvement in that song is minimal from all parties. For Devdas we had taken days over each song but that was only because the producer himself was the film-maker with a vision, otherwise such intense involvement in music-making is rare nowadays."


Then she goes further to add, "The music channels are beaming 10 song-clips every minute and even if you hear one good song in that constant barrage, it is difficult to be recalled. The music scene of today is really in a state of confusion."


So when I ask what her approach is in such a confused scene, she says, "I choose songs which appeal to my sensitivity, it doesn’t bother me even if the composer is new or the film is from a small banner. I try and understand the lyrics before rendition. In every song I make a sincere effort do my best as far as my part goes."


Item number fascination:


Explaining her views about the present-day fascination about item numbers, Shreya says, "Today there is a growing audience out there, which just wants energetic peppy numbers to groove to. To cater to their taste, item numbers are being made. But I feel that there is still an audience for good melodious music. In one of my concerts in South Africa, the audiences demanded an encore for my softer and relatively unknown melody Suna Suna from Krishna Cottage, instead of the peppier commercial hit like Dola Re Dola."


As a performer she says she treats the audience as her buddies. "It is not really necessary to dance furiously or look glamorous while performing on stage. The audience should be made to relate to the personality of the artiste. I enjoy singing on stage and make sure that audiences also enjoy my performance along with me."

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At 20, Bollywood playback singer Shreya Ghoshal of "Devdas" fame mock complains that she's often taken too seriously.

"After 'Devdas', people think I only sing melodious serious songs," laughs Ghoshal.

"But hey, that's not it. I don't mind singing dance numbers and item songs at all," Ghoshal, perhaps Bollywood's youngest playback singer at the moment, told in an interview.

"Don't forget I did 'Jism'," giggles Ghoshal, referring to last year's sex and murder flick. The sultry songs of "Jism" brought a lot of fame for Ghoshal.

The daughter of an engineer at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Ghoshal's musical genes come from her mother, who is a singer.

"She always inspired me to sing and taught me a lot. Though she doesn't sing professionally," said Ghoshal.

Her next big project is "Tumsa Nahin Dekha" from the team that made "Jism" - director-producer Mahesh Bhatt and his daughter Pooja.

"'Tumsa Nahin Dekha' is a big project for me, I have seven songs in the album and they are of a wide variety - from a jazzy number to soft romantic tunes," she said.

"It has allowed me to experiment with the entire range of my singing capabilities."

The film stars Emraan Hashmi and Dia Mirza.

Ghoshal, who was first discovered through the TV crooning contest "Sa Re Ga Ma", shot to fame when director Sanjay Leela Bhansali chose her for his epic "Devdas"

"'Devdas' was a mind blowing experience," said Ghoshal. "Sanjay spotted me one and a half years before I actually got involved with the film."

She went on to sing for Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai. "I met Aishwarya several times during the film and she was just wonderful. Extremely polite and charming.

"For me it was a dream come true. I was singing in a film which had the top stars of Bollywood -- Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dikshit."

She was also floored by Khan. "They say Shah Rukh is the King of Bollywood and he really is. He is just magnificent."

Ghoshal's other projects are a special album by Sony Music called "Tera Mera Pyar" and "Chehra", a film starring Bipasha Basu and Dino Morea.

As she notches up film after film, she is also planning to complete her MA in literature. I've just finished my graduation in English and since I love literature, I want to continue my studies. But it will have to be through correspondence."

The young Bengali girl is also dreaming of cutting her own album soon. "And I want to have a video that features me but I won't dance in it."

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Each song is a challenge:says national awardee Shreya Ghoshal

NEW DELHI, Jan 11: Just 19 years old and she is already being touted as Bollywood’s next ‘nightingale’.

Having won a national award for 2003 for best playback singer in ‘Devdas’ (for her rendition of ‘Bairi Piya’) besides a host of popular awards last year, Shreya Ghoshal is easily one of the most talented singers Bollywood has produced in recent times.

For, in just three years since she made her debut as playback singer in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Devdas’, Shreya has sung an amazingly wide repertoire of songs - ranging from the classical ‘Bairi Piya’ in ‘Devdas’ to ‘Jadoo Hai Nashaa Hai’ in ‘Jism’ to the soulful ‘Pyar Bhara Geet’ in the recently-released ‘LoC Kargil’.

For Shreya, however, singing different type of songs is part of her learning process as a singer.

"I look upon each song as a challenge. Ultimately, playback singing is about changing the expression of your voice from one song to another. Therefore, singing a wide variety of songs, ranging from the totally classical like ‘Dola Re’ (devdas) to the purely commercial variety like ‘Jadoo Hai Nasha Hai’ and ‘Dil Dooba’ from the yet-to-be-released ‘Khakee’ is, for me, a measure of a singer’s versatility. This is precisely why I do not want to confine myself to any particular kind of songs, "Shreya told UNI in an interview.

It is perhaps this desire to achieve versatility in her singing, coupled with her down to earth demeanour, that has made this teenager the favourite of almost every music director in Bollywood.

For, in the short span since her debut, Shreya has managed to work with several music directors like Amar Mohile, Anand Milind, Anu Malik, Anand Raj Anand, A R Rahman, Bapi Tutul, Bappi Lahiri, Daboo Malik, Illaya Raja, Ismail Darbar, Mani Sharma, M M Kreem, Nadeem Shravan, Nikhil Vinay, Kartik Raja, Koti, Uttam Singh, Rajesh Roshan, Sajid Wajid, Sanjeev Darshan, Vidyasagar or Viju Shah.

It was Music Director Ismail Darbar who gave Shreya her big break in March 1999, when he and Sanjay Leela Bhansali selected her for playback singing in ‘Devdas’ for Paro’s (Aishwarya Rai) character.

"When I sang the songs of the film, I imagined myself to be Paro. Just like Aishwarya. I tried to bring in the Paro’s pain, confidence and innocence," Shreya says.

After Devdas brought her all the accolades and awards, there was no looking back for Shreya.

In a single year, Shreya won eight awards. Besides the national award for 2003, Shreya won the best female playback singer award and R D Burman award at filmfare awards last year, the best music talent at Zee-Cine awards, best female playback singer Sansui Award and the female playback singer award at IFFA awards in South Africa.

With awards, however, come responsibilities.

"Winning a national award is definitely a matter of pride for me more so since I got it for my very first song. It is also satisfying since people now look towards you with a greater respect. However, at the same time, it also entails on you a responsibility to measure up to the people’s expectations."

In the last couple of years, Shreya has lent her voice for movies like ‘Jism’, ‘Saaya’, ‘Inteha’, ‘Out of Control’, ‘Khakee’, ‘Munnabhai MBBS’, ‘Dhoop’, ‘Kuchh Kaha Aapne’, ‘Armaan’, ‘Desh Devi’, ‘Tujhe Meri Kasam’, ‘LoC Kargil’, ‘Aetbaar’ and ‘Police force-an inside story’.

Among some of her favourite songs are ‘Jadoo Hai Nasha Hai’ from ‘Jism’ and ‘Pyar Bhara Geet’ from ‘LoC Kargil’. Also among her favourites were songs she has sung for the yet-to-be-released ‘Khakee’.

On her evolution as a singer since her debut film, Shreya said,’’in the last three years, since I sang ‘Bairi Piya’ for Devdas, I feel I have grown as a singer. For example when I sang ‘Bairi Piya’ I was barely 16 years old and there was a certain innocence in my voice which, in a sense, was fortunate for me since the innocence was what was required for the character of ‘Piro’. Now I am 19 and there is a greater maturity in my voice which reflects in the variety of songs that I have sung after Devdas."

"In fact, all the songs that I have sung after my first film are totally different from each other. For example, singing for ‘Jism’, ‘LoC Kargil’ and ‘Khakee’, after the classical songs of ‘Devdas’ helped me establish myself as a versatile singer," she said.

Besides Hindi, Shreya has recorded film songs in Tamil, Telegu, Kannada, Bengali.

Brought up in a remote place called Rawatbhata near Kota, Rajasthan, where her father was posted as an engineer in the nuclear power plant of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, Shreya Ghoshal has been singing from the tender age of four, an age when children are learning to talk.

Her talent, dedication and interest made Shreya’s parents provide her with formal training.

"My father has been the silent force behind my success. He has always been a source of encouragement to me and made several sacrifices, including getting himself posted to Mumbai, to help me further my career in singing. On the other hand, my mother, a singer herself, has been a constant source of guidance in my career."

As a child, Shreya’s mother taught her the rudiments of classical music before she got formal training in Hindustani classical from Rakesh Sharma, Shri Jayawardhan Bhatnagar and thereafter, from Mahesh Chandra Sharma of Kota.

Later, on the advice of Kalyanji, who offered to train Shreya in playback singing, her father got himself transferred to Mumbai.

"Currently I am receiving training under Ms Mukta Bhide," Shreya informs.

For Shreya, winning accolades began at an early age with the all India light vocal music competition, New Delhi, organised by Sangam Kala group, in Light Vocal Group (sub-junior level) where Kalyanji Anandji and Pt Rajan Sajan were the Judges.

Shreya’s first TV performance was for a programme called Awaz Nayi Andaz Wohi on El TV. In July 1996 she was selected for the 75th children’s special episode of TVs Sa Re Ga Ma, which she won, including the mega final.

Among Shreya’s ideals and inspiration are Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsale.

"Both Lataji and Ashaji, for me, are true examples of the fact that nothing less than complete dedication to and perfection of the craft is required to become a good playback singer. Following their example, I would like to focus on quality of my work rather than quantity," she said. (UNI)

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SINGING FOR SOCIAL CAUSE :

Haath se Haath Mila :

December 21, 2005 (EST)
India’s most expensive music video to be shot in January 06 to promote the awareness of HIV AIDS.

After scary figures have shown up the burgeoning incidence of HIV AIDS in India, the biggest stars of Bollywood have joined hands to come together in a music video to be produced by BBC World Service Trust as a part of their HIV AIDS awareness mass media campaign. The video brings more superstars than even the most lavish Bollywood film. These are: Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai, Viveik Oberoi, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, Diya Mirza, Zayed Khan, John Abraham, Bipasha Basu, Amisha Patel and Rani Mukherji.

Award-winning documentary film director Anu Malhotra will direct the four-minute track that will be shot in January as the New Year dawns. Rated as the most expensive music video ever made, it will have music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy and lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal will sing the song and Shiamak Davar will choreograph the dances. The song – Haath Se Haath Mila – addresses a scary issue and will be the beginning of a 16- episode show on Door Darshan One channel of the Government of India. “The stars are working absolutely free and Yashraj Films will support its distribution. Since the video will be shot in January,” says the director.

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LEJA LEJA - Best non-film song of the year
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By Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network




Ever since Ustad Sultan Khan and Shreya Ghoshal sung LEJA LEJA has arrived on the music channels, one cannot lay the sight off the song even if it comes at least a couple of dozen times a day!

An excellent number composed by Sandesh Shandilya and put to words by Irshad Kamil, LEJA LEJA is the opening number of the album 'USTAAD & THE DIVAS' which hit the stands just around a fortnight back.

In such a short period of time, this melodious track with one of the most interesting videos has captured the imagination of millions due to its soothing appeal and high recall value. No wonder, it is already being touted as the best non-film song of the year so far.

The song tells the tale of a bar dancer who is looking for a better life ahead and how a prince charming comes her way with destiny playing a big role in making them come together after a few rainy nights.

The album will also feature singers Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal. “I’m lucky to have pretty girls around me at this age,” laughs Ustad Sultan Khan who describes the album as fun experience. “It was a great learning experience for me — I consider him as my guru,” adds Shreya.

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Chaya Unnikrishnan
Posted online: Friday, December 22, 2006 at 0000 hours IST


Initially, Shreya Ghosal was to sing two songs for Ustad Sultan Khan's album Ustad And The Divas. But due to time constraints, Shreya had to let go of one song. Initially, Shreya Ghosal was to sing two songs for Ustad Sultan Khan's album Ustad And The Divas. But due to time constraints, Shreya had to let go of one song though she would rather not reveal which one it was. But "Le jaa le jaa re..", the song she has rendered with Ustad is currently a rage and the video featuring Elite model Nina Sarkar from Bangalore and Varun Toorkey, a young model from Mumbai is a hot favourite on the music channels.

Talking about the song, the diva says, Le ja... has a folk colour to it. Even the term ne moiye is pahadi. But the video has been shot in a contemporary style by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru. The emotions are subtle and in the right proportion. It catches the attention of the audience.

Though this is the first time Shreya has collaborated with Ustad on an album, this is not the first time she has sung alongside him. Khansaab is Sandesh's (composer) guru and I met him at various recordings. In fact, I sang with him in films but those songs and films were unreleased. So, when Sandesh appraoached me with this concept I loved it. There is a magic in Ustad's voice. It is honest, knowledgable and at the same time erotic, says Shreya who feels honoured to be a part of his album. I have a classical background but never performed a full-on classical and this inspired me, informs the singer.

As for the experience of singing with Ustad, Shreya says that, the saarangi maestro would always be in the studio when she was recording her part or dubbing for it. The best part about him is though he is learned and a senior, he is very jovial and friendly, smiles the singer.

Another reason, the young singer is excited about featuring on an album is that “it will take people by surprise.Everyone is familiar with my film songs and sometimes they even predict that so and so could be a Shreya composition. But an album evokes a different curiousity. So, is she planning to release her own album? I want to, but earlier whenever I had plans they didn't materialise, she informs.



How does she feel being called a diva, we ask the pretty singer? I feel it is an added responsibility. I prefer being a musician than a diva. A diva is just the effect, as people think this is one term associated with anybody who is popular in the field of music and is a female singer. Nevertheless, she finds the title quite interesting. I will have to do quite a lot of things to look like a diva, she smiles.

The year has turned out quite eventful for the singer who has the nation humming to her "Pal pal..." ditty from Lage Raho Munnabhai. A very romantic number, it was differently arranged. The acoustic was subtle, hats off to the composer,she grins. For the first time, she has sung a song "Barso re..." for A R Rahman in Guru which is unlike anything that I have sung before. She also mentions her "Keh raha hai..." number from Baabul and the songs from Salaam-E-Ishq which have a nice feel to them. She signs off saying, I am showcasing various moods in my singing and that is what makes the experience all-the-more interesting.

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“I consider myself very lucky”

To Kalyanji must go the credit, of selecting some of the best talent in the country through his Kalaveer Academy. Almost all singers in Bollywood today are his protégés in one way or another. To add to the AnuradhaPaudwal, Sonali Vajpayee, Sunidhi Chauhan gang, comes young Shreya Ghoshal. From small time singing she’s hit big time with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas in which she playbacks for Aishwarya Rai.

We trace this 18 year old’s journey into film singing.

“I’m a Bengali from Rajasthan Kota where I spent 13 years of my life. My father was working in NPC the Nuclear power corporation. I’m here in Bombay for the last five years. My parents have shifted here to help me pursue a singing career. Today I’m studying in SIES Collegeand have just finished my FYBA.”

How it all started

“I participated in the children’s episode of the Sa re ga ma contest on Zee Tv where Kalyanjibhai was the judge. I won the contest. He was impressed by my potential and was very insistent that we be based in Mumbai so I could follow my singing. He convinced my parents and we shifted here. My father took a transfer and I started learning with Kalyanjibhai. I was with him for one and a half years. I started learning singing from the age of four, initially I learnt from my mother and I still do. Dad too has a fine sense of music and teaches me. The fine nuances of expressions etc. In Mumbai I’m learning classical singing under Shrimati Mukta Bhide. In Rajasthan I studied classical under Shri Maheshchandra Sharma. I feel that though one may do light singing it’s important to have a classical base. I’ve learnt from listening to Lata Mangeshkar. AshaBhosle, listening to folk songs. I’m also learning western music, the piano with Mr Leon D’souza. I want to imbibe all kinds of music.

“Sanjay Bhansali saw me on the mega finals of Sa re ga ma-I was under age but Gajendra Singh asked me to participate. I happened to win the mega finals –that was mega finals two. Sanjayji saw this and contacted me through Gajendraji and I came to meet him. I still remember the date 9th march 2000. I sang for him and I happened to sing all his favorite numbers - Lata Mangeshkar’s old songs. He’s a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar and we shared our taste in music. Then I rehearsed for three days and he gave me a number from Devdas to sing. He approved and my work started.”

Shreya is not new to the microphone having sung some marathi and Bengali songs earlier. When she was signed on by Bhansali she was a science student but realized that a full fledged career was beckoning her and shifted to the Arts stream. Shreya has sung five songs for Devdas and is pretty thrilled that she’s working with the likes of Anu Malik for JP Dutta’s much hyped LoC and Vidhu vinod Chopra’ next film with Shahrukh khan and Aishwarya Rai-here she again sings for Aishwarya-the film is Munnabhai MBBS.

Her work with Vinod Chopra was also coincidental. Anu Malik was at the recording but no singer had been chosen yet and Anu asked Shreya to sing for Vinod Chopra and convince him that she was the right choice for this song.

“I went to the mike and started singing and after the first line itself Vinod Chopra decided that I would sing it. I’m very happy that I’m singing Anu Malik songs these are very good songs the best of Anu Malik. I had met Anu Malik earlier but nothing had worked out but he had kept my voice in mind.”

“I’m now working with Amar Mohile son of Anil Mohile who is starting his career. I’m singing for Ismail Darbar in another film too, in fact I’m recording for him tomorrow.”

“I consider myself very lucky that Sanjay uncle came into my life and gave me such a big break. All of a sudden career has started off. I feel blessed no one could have got a better vehicle than this to start off.”

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Singer Shreya Ghoshal is on a high note ready to experiment with all kinds of songs.


She is beautiful. Her voice is even better. In 2002, Bollywood stood up to applaud the fresh young voice of Shreya Ghoshal - the voice that lent naughtiness to Paro in Devdas.

Just when the world of music was beginning to welcome Shreya’s arrival, she went ahead and proved that “singing for the submissive, soft heroine” is only one of her strong points. The oomph factor she brought into the Jadoo hain nasha hain... number from Jism makes the song one of the ‘most requested for’ in radio stations even years after the movie’s release.

Sitting pretty and petite in a casual pair of jeans and embroidered white top, Shreya was on a brief visit to Bangalore recently to perform at a function organised for the dealers of Kurl-On. Shreya took time out to discuss her experiences and dreams with Metrolife.


Shreya’s break into the industry was what many top singers only dream of. “Sanjayji first noticed me on the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa shows on Zee TV. I was participating in the children’s category then,” she says. The elation she experienced on being asked to sing for Aishwarya Rai was unforgettable, she beams. She recalls her visits to the sets of Devdas, “which was like a picnic spot because the sets were so grand and so many just came to look at them”.

“Aishwarya Rai is extremely beautiful. She gave my voice a beautiful face. What more can a singer ask for,” she quips. When Shreya recorded Bairi Piya for Devdas, she was 16. When the movie released, she was 18. Today, at 21, Shreya Ghoshal is perhaps one of the most sought-after playback singers in the Indian film industry.

For this young singer the biggest challenge, she says, is to keep the audience’s attention focussed. She seems to have done that with her songs in Munnabhai MBBS, Zeher and more recently with Paheli and Parineeta.

On singing for Jism, Shreya says that M M Kreem retains the natural elements of a singer’s voice making him an interesting composer to experiment with. Though most of the offers she receives are for slow, melodious numbers, she says she is open to experimenting with different kinds of songs. “Anything that suits my voice is okay.”

Classical training to sing for Bollywood, according to Shreya, is not all that important because of the different priorities. Training ensures that the voice is more rooted, says Shreya, who practices for about 15 minutes a day.

Playback singing was all along her dream and to realise this dream, the family moved to Mumbai from a small town in Rajasthan about nine years ago.

Asked about her favourite singers, she says: “It may sound clichéd to say Lata Mangeshkar, but she is an institution by herself and started a whole new genre of music. I also like Asha Bhosle, Noor Jahan, Chitra and even Tracy Chapman.”

Shreya says that the best compliments come to her during stage shows when her fans get emotional and plead with her to sing more and more. It is not just her voice that is attractive.

Her opinions and the confidence with which she expresses them makes her equally endearing.

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Teen princesses of melody

Shreya Ghoshal: A new singing sensation


JUST a decade ago who knew today’s new music generation even existed? In fact when Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurthy started singing, this year’s Filmfare best female playback singer Shreya Ghoshal wasn’t even born. Some were just learning to speak! Today they are all box-office gold. And they all thank television for their good fortune.

When Sanjay Leela Bhansali heard Shreya Ghoshal sing in the finals of Sa Re Ga Ma on Zee he signed her for Devdas. And Dola Re her debut song with Kavita Krishnamurthy fetched her the best singer award.

Bela too took a roller coaster ride from obscurity to singing stardom, thanks to her winning the 1999 megafinals of Sa Re Ga. Her debut album, Kaisa Yeh Jadoo did well. Now she has a host of plum Bollywood assignments.

Sunidhi Chauhan was discovered when she was 17 also through a TV talent show. While judging Meri Awaz Suno, music director Sandeep Chowtha was so struck by her voice he signed her for Mast. Sunidhi is now on a one-way ticket to the singing hall of fame.

Says a film critic, "I think music competitions are the best thing to happen to films. Audiences have been wanting to hear fresh voices which the TV is now providing."