'Films are the dream of any artiste'

A Delhiite at heart, singer Shibani Kashyap still reminisces her childhood in the City where she will be back soon. “My wonder years of childhood were when my career began in Delhi,” says the songstress who is a graduate from the Delhi School of Music.

“I still cherish attending music shows like Jahan-e-Khusrau when I was still growing up,” shares Shibani who soon shot to fame with the signature tune of the AIR FM channel of All India Radio and her song Sajna aa bhi jaa from the film Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II added to her popularity.

Reviving old memories, Shibani says, “I used to be part of a forum titled Friends in Music which started when Mohit Chauhan was also in Delhi. With Qutub Minar in the backdrop, my friends and I used to perform there and jam in the end. These memories make me nostalgic even today,” she says as she gears up to perform in her City during Direct Dil Se festival on the occasion of World Music Day.

“For the show, I will sing a very interesting Ganesha chant - a devotional song with an International appeal. It has popular sayings and will inculcate the singing of Mame Khan too. In addition, I will also sing my new composition Thodi thodi saanj...,” shares Shibani who likes to sing for both albums and films. “For me, there is no discrimination. Films of course give a special high and are the dream of any artiste. It is something that I achieved very early in my career and a lot of it came my way when I was in Delhi itself.”

Her songs such as Ho gayi hai mohabbat are still fondly remembered by her fans but the singer feels that “I think I sounded immature when I listen to these songs now. But there is a certain innocence in them along with a lot of memories which got attached during their recording.These are precious to me till date.”

Loved more by fans for her Sufi renditions, Shibani loves to play on her versatility. “I do rock and hip hop too. That is why I even did a very peculiar song for Rakhi Sawant’s Bhoot Chad Gaya and have recently shot a song with Mika which is very Punjabi and peppy,” confesses the singer who has struggled to make a mark in the industry but is of the opinion that, “Struggle is important because when you achieve after struggling, it is much more appreciated. My struggle still goes on,” she signs off!