Notes of success

Manpriya Singh 

Singer Hamsika Iyer hasn’t rendered a single Punjabi number so far, but when she croons Lambergini Chalai Jande Ho she does connect for sure! Lyrics truly aren’t restricted to any language, music all the more.  Which is why she’s equally sure to get the audience swaying to some of her hit Bollywood singles, starting with Chamak Challo to Kuch To Hai Tujhse Raabta. 

“I want to make everyone dance and ladies better come in your flats for that,” shares the singer, as she lands in the city for the first time for a performance at Chandigarh City Centre, Zirakpur.  “Let alone for a performance, I’ve come here for the first time ever. Had heard a lot of things about this place and it is truly amazing.” Coming here was like a confirmation of the image of Punjabis she has long harboured. They are about living in the moment, and about the good life primarily comprising khaana, gaana and nachna! 

Good & bad 

A judge on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs, she, however, believes we must have a censor for music industry, just like films. To ensure the much-needed check on objectionable lyrics. “Music is such a strong medium and a lot of the young listeners so impressionable. It’s time we ensured the responsibility lies with us or an organisation to ensure everyone behaves responsibly.” 

There is no denying the presence of good and aspiring singers in every street of the nation; what’s your take? “These kids. They are so talented and fearless. I wonder what they eat!” With the ever-swelling numbers of aspiring singers, it also means that auto-tune is not just software, it’s a practice. Truly not the one she has adopted. “I hate auto-tune. I simply feel it should be done away with. Primarily because now they don’t work all that hard on the right pitch. Also, I feel there is beauty in little imperfection too,” adds the trained Carnatic singer.  

Social angle 

There is another practice, not just in the music industry, but in the world of entertainment in general, which she doesn’t endorse. When social media dictates and interferes with a talent’s worth. She laughs, “Even as I speak, my manager doesn’t seem pleased about it. There are people who feel the need to update and post every morning. It’s not me. It’s too much stress. Social media accounts are no barometers to any artistes’ talent…” She is happy to not give into the fad and, “If a number is scheduled to come my way, it will.”  

While her mother tongue is Tamil, she promises to be, “very language-friendly. In fact, I feel if you can respect your mother tongue, you can respect any language.”  A Punjabi number hasn’t happened so far, simply because, “It’s not been offered.” In the meanwhile, there are a couple of artistes from Punjabi music industry that she enjoys listening to.  “I am a Hans Raj Hans fan and I also quite like Daler Mehndi.”  Musictranscends language barriers for sure! 

manpriya@tribunemail.com