'I'm all for experimentation'

Folk music is understood to be people’s music and this is what keeps Kashmiri singer-songwriter Aabha Hanjura hooked to the genre.

Deeply influenced by the music of the valley, the artiste, who remembers singing from her school days, loves being on stage and enthralling the audience with her peppy and charming voice.

In a candid chat with Tini Sara Anien, the singer talks about her musical journey so far.

When did you first perform on stage?

I must have been six or seven when I sang ‘Áe Mere Watan Ke Logon’ at my school. After this, people realised that I had a good voice and I started being recognised.

What attracted you to folk music?

It was by chance! I had auditioned for ‘Indian Idol’ in 2003 and performed on different stages after that. The scene was very different then and the industry was very monopolised. I didn’t
see myself doing commercial music, so I took a break and went on to pursue a corporate career. It was while visiting my old house in Srinagar that I realised that I wanted to make music again. I discovered that the folk music of Kashmir really influenced me and I wanted to bring it out of the valley. 

How important are reality shows for an artiste?

Reality shows are a very different story now, compared to when I was on ‘Indian Idol’. It is a bit of give-and-take now; these shows give one a platform and it depends on what you’re trying to achieve through the show. They can weigh one down also as the show has it’s own story to tell and one has to fit in accordingly.

Tell us about your forthcoming album.

The album ‘Aabha Hanjura and The Sound of Kashmir’ will include many tracks with sounds from santoor and other instruments. ‘Hukus Bukus’ is one of the song which was released
recently. It went viral almost immediately.  

‘Hukus Bukus’ is a traditional children’s folk song which was rendered by you in a very peppy format. How much do you believe in experimentation?

I’m all for experimentation. That is what I’ve been doing since a long time. I don’t know why music can’t be experimented with. I believe that for folk music to last, it will have to go through some experimentation. One has to move with the times to maintain the connect with people. It’s not the poetry but the presentation that goes through a transformation.

Describe the musician in you.

I’m an artiste who is eclectic with a bit of madness and energy. There is soul and fun in my style. Some artistes you look up to in the industry.I have grown up appreciating Jagjit Singh’s music. I am really inspired by how he was able to turn around ‘ghazals’ and make the genre relevant at a time when ghazal singing was restricted to ‘mehfils’. I am deeply touched by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s music too. Also, I love Norah Jones’ style of music; she has a voice of her own.

If you weren’t singing, what else would you be doing?

I would just be travelling the whole world, documenting stories and meeting new people. A few things you cannot do without. I need my cups of tea at regular intervals. My mobile phone is another must-have and I listen to music often, so I need my earphones around me always.