<div align="justify">Rasika Shekar is more than just a name in Bollywood. Having trained in both Carnatic and Hindustani music, there isn’t anything that is stopping her from exploring the depths of music. <br /><br />She started her journey as a singer with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lent her voice to films like ‘Kill Dill’, ‘Katti Batti’ and ‘2 States’. She’s also known for her flute renditions. <br /><br />In a chat with Anila Kurian, Rasika talks about what it’s like as an artiste who is a singer and a flautist. <br /><br />What do you like to be known as - a singer or a flautist?<br /><br />Both. My voice and my instrument are both important and equal parts of who I am as a musician. I always try to put out the most honest music I can and hope that people will genuinely connect with it. Whether it’s as a flautist or singer, my approach is the same in this regard.<br /><br />Tell us about your current projects. <br /><br />I’m working on some of my own material and some in collaboration with others. But I’m looking forward to releasing an original composition which also has a video to it. It’s a flute composition with very different influences of mine.<br /><br />What is like when you’re performing? <br /><br />Ah, there is nothing like being on stage! The connection that you have on stage with your audience and musicians is something just amazing. <br /><br />You have audiences both here and abroad. What are they like?<br /><br />It’s pretty magical. The responses so far have been incredible and that warmth is always a beautiful feeling. I find myself performing different kinds of music and in that journey, there’s been a lot of exploration for myself in terms of style and expression.<br /><br />Your biggest influence...<br /><br />My grandmother has been my role model since the time I was initiated into music. She’s a violinist by profession, an amazing mentor and an amazing human being. <br /><br />A song you’ve been listening to on loop... <br /><br />‘Migration’ by Bonobo.<br /><br />A track that instantly makes you happy or sad...<br /><br />‘Urvasi Urvasi’ by A R Rahman makes me want to dance. ‘Gham Nahi Ji Tan’ by Ghulam Ali Khan does the opposite for me.<br /><br />The motto you live by... <br /><br />Seek the path that demands your whole being. <br /><br />Tell us three random things about yourself.<br /><br />I dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player. I am terrified of cockroaches — I will run, jump or scream even if I see one 10-feet away from me. And I am fascinated by cello and I want to learn it one day.</div>
<div align="justify">Rasika Shekar is more than just a name in Bollywood. Having trained in both Carnatic and Hindustani music, there isn’t anything that is stopping her from exploring the depths of music. <br /><br />She started her journey as a singer with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lent her voice to films like ‘Kill Dill’, ‘Katti Batti’ and ‘2 States’. She’s also known for her flute renditions. <br /><br />In a chat with Anila Kurian, Rasika talks about what it’s like as an artiste who is a singer and a flautist. <br /><br />What do you like to be known as - a singer or a flautist?<br /><br />Both. My voice and my instrument are both important and equal parts of who I am as a musician. I always try to put out the most honest music I can and hope that people will genuinely connect with it. Whether it’s as a flautist or singer, my approach is the same in this regard.<br /><br />Tell us about your current projects. <br /><br />I’m working on some of my own material and some in collaboration with others. But I’m looking forward to releasing an original composition which also has a video to it. It’s a flute composition with very different influences of mine.<br /><br />What is like when you’re performing? <br /><br />Ah, there is nothing like being on stage! The connection that you have on stage with your audience and musicians is something just amazing. <br /><br />You have audiences both here and abroad. What are they like?<br /><br />It’s pretty magical. The responses so far have been incredible and that warmth is always a beautiful feeling. I find myself performing different kinds of music and in that journey, there’s been a lot of exploration for myself in terms of style and expression.<br /><br />Your biggest influence...<br /><br />My grandmother has been my role model since the time I was initiated into music. She’s a violinist by profession, an amazing mentor and an amazing human being. <br /><br />A song you’ve been listening to on loop... <br /><br />‘Migration’ by Bonobo.<br /><br />A track that instantly makes you happy or sad...<br /><br />‘Urvasi Urvasi’ by A R Rahman makes me want to dance. ‘Gham Nahi Ji Tan’ by Ghulam Ali Khan does the opposite for me.<br /><br />The motto you live by... <br /><br />Seek the path that demands your whole being. <br /><br />Tell us three random things about yourself.<br /><br />I dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player. I am terrified of cockroaches — I will run, jump or scream even if I see one 10-feet away from me. And I am fascinated by cello and I want to learn it one day.</div>