She manages to turn heads, both onstage and off stage. The quintessential performer, Shalini Mohan is popular as the bass guitarist of folk rock fusion band ‘Lagori’ but has managed to create her own space within the male-dominated industry. Having gained a significant fan following for her performances and her YouTube channel, ‘ShaliniMohanBass’, the grandniece of famous flautist T R Mahalingam is a one-time software engineer who gave up a lucrative IT career to pursue her passion .
She talks to Rajitha Menon about her life on and off stage.
Have you always been interested in music?
Yes, I think so. Music runs in my family, though my generation was not exposed to it much. In fact, I found out about my grand uncle a short time ago, that too from Wikipedia! But I have been singing for a long time (I was the youngest member in my school choir), though the streamlining of the whole process took place once I started working.
How did ‘Lagori’ happen?
‘Lagori’ was formed around five years ago. By that time, I had worked with a lot of artistes, done a few recordings and gained enough experience. One of my SAP
colleagues, Shashank, talked about this band and I was instantly interested because theirs was the kind of music I wanted to create — popular, funky, something people would tap their feet to. I met the band members and there was an immediate bond.
Soon I joined them and it has been a terrific journey so far.
Why do you think there are so few girls in music bands?
I think it has a lot to do with the social stereotypes. Unless you are into traditional Carnatic or Hindustani music, people think you are just fooling around. They don’t
realise how serious contemporary music is, the kind of effort that goes into it.
Some people think you must be up to some mischief if you voice your intentions to join a band. There is a joke in my family that when I told my father about wanting to join ‘Lagori’, he must have thought ‘Oh my God, you are doing drugs!’
And sometimes, I have people asking me what I plan to do once I become older. I am sure they wouldn’t ask my male counterparts this. So there are a lot of stigmas that prevent female talent from coming up.
Other than music, what are your interests?
Well, I used to work in SAP but that was not an interest, it was a necessity (laughs). I am passionate about animal welfare. I have fostered a lot of rescued animals and I volunteer with NALGO whenever I get time. I have four rescued dogs at home. In fact, I bought this house for them, so that they can have more space.
An interesting on stage experience?
Well, I don’t know if this classifies as interesting but it is definitely was an experience. We were playing at a corporate gig and generally having a great time. During the performance, I suddenly lifted my head to look at the audience. I caught a man staring, not at my face but at a certain part of my anatomy. I kept on looking at him and when he realised that, he instantly closed his eyes and started swaying to the music. I was like ‘sure’.
Three things we don’t know about you.
And you want me to tell you? (laughs) I am a very good cook. People are usually very surprised when I tell them this. And I love tattoos. I have dedicated my left arm to tattoos. And third thing...oh, you can say that I am related to T R Mahalingam.
We know that...
Oh, I just found out recently so I thought people wouldn’t know that.
Upcoming gigs or projects?
I have quite a few things coming up. I have been collaborating with Vasundhara Das
for a video which will be released shortly. ‘Lagori’ is making inroads into North
India and we have quite a few gigs lined up in the coming months. And we are working on our second album too!