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Grammy award-winning singer Tanvi Shah talks about music, A.R. Rahman and women's empowerment

The Grammy award-winning Jai Ho singer, Tanvi Shah, who was in Dubai recently, tells City Times how A.R. Rahman mentored her and why she's not a fan of commercial Bollywood music

She is India's first ever female singer to win a Grammy for the Best Song Written for Visual Media award (with A.R. Rahman and Gulzar) for the song Jai Ho from the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. Tanvi Shah who began her career in Bollywood with the song Fanaa from the movie Yuva, went on to show her versatility by singing in many other languages, including Latin. A trained soprano singer, she also featured in American rapper Snoop Dogg's song Snoop Dogg Millionaire.
Tanvi was in Dubai recently to sign an MoU with Dubai-based StratGurus Group of Companies to be the face and voice to of their global campaign called Body not Commodity. This initiative is spearheaded by Dr Tabassum Khan (Chairman of StratGurus) to raise awareness about human trafficking for organ trade. A music video and a film( partly shot in Dubai) is being produced for campaign. We speak to Tanvi Shah to know more. 
How does it feel being the only Indian woman to win a Grammy?
While it is a real privilege to be the only Indian woman to win the Grammy, it is also a lot of pressure. On that day (at the Grammys), going up on stage, I remember thinking that here I am, representing my country and the women of my country. It was a very proud moment. Since then, it has certainly opened doors for many other women to make a mark in the international music arena. And I am glad that I was, in some sense, an inspiration for them.
Tell us a bit about the Grammy winning song, Jai Ho?
Rahman sir called me into the studio along with Gulzar saab to work on Jai Ho. And while I was singing the song he said he wanted to do something different and asked me if I could pen some lyrics  in Spanish for the song. In the beginning, I felt apprehensive, but I went ahead and after I finished singing the song he said that was exactly what he was looking for. The thing about A.R. Rahman is that he always gets you to think out-of-the-box. He is always doing something new, something different.
How is it working with A.R. Rahman? Any more projects with him?
I have been working with Rahman sir since 2003. So far it has been a rewarding experience because each time I come away from the studio, I feel like I have learnt something new about music and about my own voice. Recently, I worked with Rahman sir on the background score for Mani Ratnam's movie Chekka Chivantha Vaanam. Other than that we've also worked on a couple of jingles.
Any incident you want to share while recording with A.R. Rahman?
 
 
Yes. I had an interesting experience once. It was during the recording of the title track of the Tamil film Sillunu Oru Kaadhal. We were supposed to leave for the U.S. that day, but 6 hours before the flight, Rahman sir asked me to pack my bags and come to the studio to work on the song. And in such a short time, the maestro made me sing the song in five different voices and recorded the track. That day, I learnt so much about my voice - the variations and modulations I was capable of doing. Rahman sir always inspires you to try something different and the results are often surprising and magical. 
How did your interest in music come about?
Music was always a part of my life, but I was more of a bathroom singer until Rahman sir heard my demo track and called me to record my first song Fanaa for Mani Ratnam sir's film Yuva. That's when my music career actually started. Music was never in my plans. I am a graphic designer. It just happened. It was thrown at me and I just took it on.
I did not have any formal training before I started singing for Rahman sir. My western classical vocal training started after I sang Fanaa. I used to listen to a lot of World Music during that time. I was (and still am) inspired by Latin artists like Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and Juanes. Among the Indian singers, Asha Bhosle and Sunidhi Chauhan are voices I love. I am a qualified soprano singer and now I'd like to learn Hindustani classical.
Lately, Bollywood music has been adapting Western pop styles. What's the reason?
Companies are packaging music differently now and personally I am not a big fan of commercial Bollywood music. Gone are the days of beautiful, meaningful lyrics. These days one hears songs about mixing drinks and shaking one's booty. Having said that, I think good music is also being produced. I see a lot of independent artists coming out with original stuff. The music industry has broken out of the notion that you need to sound like so and so. It is now very much about your personal style and giving music your own spin. I think like everything, it is a cycle. Music is going through this phase of commercialization, but I feel we are going to go back. 
You have sung in Western and Indian languages. Tell us a bit about that?
Around the time when my music career was taking off, I was listening to a lot of World Music and this led me to explore languages and genres other than Indian music. I love watching people talk and listen to the nuances in various languages. This led me to explore beyond the languages I grew up listening. I am equally comfortable singing in Western and Indian languages. As an artist you have to be versatile. You should be able to sing in any language. Because being an artist means you have the power to make a connection with your audience. If I am singing in Spanish and there is someone from Latin America in the audience, more often than not you see a smile on his or her face. As and artist, that smile is the greatest reward for me. Because that smile means that I was able to make a connection.
What are some of the challenges you faced while trying to make a break in the music industry?
I wasn't trying to make a break in the music industry. I just got very lucky. It was thrown at me. If something as divine as music is thrown at you and if someone like A.R. Rahman tells you that you can sing, then I don't think you should disrespect his judgment. So I went head and put in that extra effort and gave it my best shot.
What's your advice to budding talent?
Diligence, dedication, discipline and punctuality. If you have these four qualities you can never go wrong. It might take time but if you focus and believe in yourself things will happen. Don't let anyone make you believe otherwise.
You are also involved in the Latin music scene. Did you ever feel like an outsider at any time?
The Latin music industry welcomes artists with open arms. The never made me feel like an outsider. In fact, when they see someone from a completely different place singing in their language and actually making it, they love it. I have walked the Latin Grammy red carpet and also submitted a song. Hopefully, I can submit another song this time to the Latin Recording Academy and also get to see Wilmer Valderrama (actor, producer, singer) at the Latin Grammys!
You are actively involved in women's empowerment? Tell us a bit about that?
Women's empowerment has become a buzz word these days. But sometimes what you see in the name of women's empowerment is not based on the idea of equality but misplaced feminism. In my view, women's empowerment is about uplifting and creating equal opportunities for women. It is about making them confident, independent and savvy so that they can allow their strengths to shine through.
Tell us about your Dubai visit?
I was in Dubai to sign an MoU with the Dubai-based group StratGurus to be the face and voice of their global campaign called 'Body not Commodity'. This initiative is spearheaded by Dr Tabassum Khan (Chairman of StratGurus) and through it, we are hoping to raise awareness about human trafficking for organ trade. This is a serious global issue and it is high time we did something about it.
Are you a regular visitor to the emirate?
I have been to Dubai four or five times to perform with A.R. Rahman and Yuvan Shankar Raja.
Tell us something about your charity work.
I have always believed that as humans we have to give back to society. And if you are a celebrity, then it becomes your duty to do so. For me giving back to society is not about supporting with money. It is about giving your time and effort to something you really believe in. It is about being present and really getting involved.
What's next for you? 
I'm coming out with a few singles and have started discussions on a project with Egyptian artist Hisham Kharma. The projects I am involved in will connect me with people from different cultures, ethnicities and languages. And this really has been my lifelong passion.
 
 
michael@khaleejtimes.com