Shalmali Kholgade on the music industry: Versatility is no longer a good thing for singers

One can easily say that the Indian music scene today is crowded, overcrowded even, something that singer Shalmali Kholgade also agrees with.

And she feels that in such a situation what becomes challenging is sustainability since everything is so fleeting including the audiences taste in music.

“It is getting harder and harder to stay in the game now because there is so much stimulus and the listeners are so distracted. Today they might like something, tomorrow something else. I feel for an artiste to have longevity is to find your voice. And that does not mean you are trying to sound different but it could be style of singing, or kind of songs or the tone,” she tells us.

The 32-year-old, who is the voice behind hits like Pareshaan — Ishaqzaade (2012), Balam Pichkari — Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), Lat Lag Gayee — Race 2 (2013) and the recent Beqaaboo from Gehraiyaan, feels that it helps to have a certain niche you create for yourself.

“It helps because people tune in and recognize you amid other musicians. For me I feel blessed that my tonal quality is what marks my voice from others because I was born with this voice. There are so many incredible singers out there, my favorite ones like Sunidhi Chauhan, Neeti Mohan, Jonita Gandhi, and they all have shown Their strengths and they play by their strength,” she continues, “It is not advisable keep changing n the style of singing. I don’t think it is as important to be versatile, it is not a good thing. I think it is important to be good at one thing and keep working on that one thing so that no one can touch you in that space. I feel like that works for longevity for an artiste.”

Another aspect that has in recent times given singers a chance to establish their names more firmly and stand out from the crowd is the indie music space. Even Kholgade launched her solo English music album last year.

“This is a welcome change and the fact that there is a market now and it is growing and that people are listening to independent music more and more with every passing month. It gives you more confidence to do it again without the fear and without questions like ‘will I be wasting my time doing this and not playback and stage shows.’ You can do both and that’s what I am doing and I want to do it more,” she ends.