She may not always be in the news, or prolific even, but you can’t miss Vasundhara Das. Be it her stint with acting in Monsoon Wedding or Hey Ram, or her chartbusters ‘Shakalaka Baby’ (Nayak) and ‘It’s the Time to Disco’ (Kal Ho Na Ho), Vasundhara has always managed to receive rave reviews for her work.
For someone who is trained in Hindustani Classical music and regularly collaborates with Spanish and Columbian musicians for concerts, it is sad that Bollywood hasn’t explored her potential to the hilt. But that’s not going to bog Vasundhara down. In a candid interview, the singer who last sang ‘Kone kone mein’ (Acid Factory) for Bollywood tells us why she has no regrets about the way her career is shaping up.
Describe your love for music. Was it in the family?
Oh! I can’t put that in words. Well, all I can say is that I can’t imagine my life without music (smiles). And, yes it was indeed in my family. My grandmother, Smt. Indira Das, was not a professional singer, but she had studied music from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Bangalore.
I think I was too young to realise my interest for the art. However, my grandmother’s dedication and parental pressure compelled me learn it, which eventually became my love too. I was put under my grandmother’s guidance for Indian classical singing and later she recommended me to Lalita Kakiri. And, when I thought over it as a profession, Parameshwar Hegde became my guru.
Wasn’t any other profession ever on your mind, since you are a graduate in Economics and Mathematics?
Well, education has always been on my agenda, although I knew I would take up music as my profession. My mother worked at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. After I was finished my studies, I explored each department, from genetic engineering to bio-technology. I had a good time working there. However, there I realised that music was my forte and I should channelise myself in that direction.
But how did an acting career become a part of your career plans?
(Laughs) Acting was never on my mind. My parents wanted me to commence my professional career in singing at Chennai itself. So, I happened to meet producer Praveen Mani. To my surprise, Kamal Haasan too had come to meet me. He appreciated me for my talent and offered me a role in Hey Ram. I got an opportunity as a playback singer in Tamil cinema and later, post the release of Hey Ram, I got into Bollywood music.
You are considered to have a very contemporary voice. Do you think your talent or potential is being restricted to a selected genres of songs?
Yes, I absolutely agree with you. I would wonder earlier as to why, despite my learning of all genres of music – especially Indian Classical music – my audience has not been exposed to other shades of my voice. However I don’t regret that a bit, for I believe I have been giving my best in whatever has come my way, even if it is mostly up-tempo, peppy numbers. I do venture into other genres outside Bollywood. I used to perform in concerts at Bangalore as a part of a band called Arya three years ago. The band isn’t active any more, but I still do concerts individually and meet Columbian and Spanish musicians to create music for niche audiences. Thus, I have been enjoying every bit of my professional life.
As far as your singing career in Bollywood is concerned, Acid Factory was your last release. What are the other projects coming up?
I think it’s too early to talk about the projects; they are still in the pipeline. Nowadays, I am concentrating on a show called Idea Rocks India on Colors, where I have been appointed as a judge. The show is on-air and trust me, I have come across a huge talent across India.
You have starred in five or six films so far, and Pathar Bejuban is to be your next release.
Well, the film is kept on hold and I can’t divulge any details about it.
Any plans to direct or produce a film?
(Laughs) Nothing of that sort has yet crossed my mind, but I will definitely announce it if I make up my mind. I own a company in Bangalore called Drum Jam, which deals in entertainment and corporate training in music. We have around 12,000 drum instruments, the largest in Asia. I believe music binds people together. That’s the idea behind venturing into such a business.
