Shashaa’s big break given by AR Rahman

Shashaa Tirupati’s story is the stuff that could inspire Bollywood movies — from growing up idolising AR Rahman, abandoning a pre-medical course in Canada to move to India so she could pursue music full-time and taking a three-year hiatus because a top Bollywood singer told her that she had a “bad voice’ to being given a break by Rahman himself and winning the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the Tamil song ‘Vaan Varuvaan’; the singing sensation has come a long way.

She now has around 36 multi-lingual songs to her credit; many of which are blockbusters. Having recently performed for ‘Hungama Music Room’, Shashaa spoke to Rajitha Menon about her journey so far.

Were you always interested in music?

Yes, not just me, my entire family is quite inclined towards music. I just wasn’t sure of taking it up as a profession. But all that changed after the release of the movie ‘Guru’. I played the tracks ‘Jaage Hain Der Tak’ and ‘Tere Bina’ on loop for a long time and realised that I found my passion.

How did you get noticed by A R Rahman?

I was called to audition for ‘Coke Studio’ in 2013. I was told by one of his engineers that he was looking for someone for his Hindustani classical all-female choir; I was very excited. I would have swept the floors for a chance to work with AR Rahman. Seven of us were selected, and then during one of the shoots of Coke Studio, Rahman sir specifically asked which one of us was Shashaa. I hesitantly put my hand up. He said nothing but exactly a month later, I was called to a studio, saying that they wanted to try my voice for a song. I flew down to Chennai and it’s been a magical journey since then.

How has your life changed after the National award?

I think it is a huge responsibility. I was getting songs before that and I still am but I have become more cautious — I check out the song, the lyrics, the melody, I see if it’s something I want to attach my name to and then I’ll sing it.

How do you prep for songs in languages you don’t know?

I’m a good listener but that is not enough. I don’t know 90 percent of the languages I sing in so a lot of credit goes to the people who teach me these languages. They guide me with the pronunciation and the diction. Also, I make a point to constantly read the lyrics, especially before I record and sing these.

What do you think is the main difference between songs in the south and north?

I think they both have a traditional accent. In the South, there are a few particular instruments that they specifically use. I think it’s cool when Bollywood gives its songs a South Indian instrumental touch. It gives a very different perspective and a very different sound. Same goes for the South.

A crazy fan reaction?

There are so many. There are many fans who constantly message me, say every 5-10 minutes. They say stuff like ‘Ma’am, why aren’t you replying? Why are you ignoring me? You are not good to your fans’. I try my best to reply to them. Then there are fans who want to marry me and there are people who come to meet me at the airport whenever I’m travelling. I have fans who have flown down all the way from Delhi to South India to meet me for like five minutes. I feel blessed with all this love; people like this inspire and motivate me.

We hear you are interested in acting also...

I acted in a play recently called ‘iCloud’ at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai; we did around 3-4 shows. Hopefully there will be more shows and tours soon. After that, I have been getting more offers and other plays. I have been reading scripts and am on the lookout for powerful roles. I guess I am interested in acting because artistes, especially introverts like me, like to express ourselves and any medium which allows us to do that attracts us.

Three things about you that no one knows.

I’m very scared while crossing roads. I might have taken around 3000 flights till date but I’m very scared of turbulence. And I have a caffeine addiction.