Four years ago, Shivi Kashyap came to Mumbai with dreams of becoming a singer. She had recorded a folk album in Kinnaur, her hometown in Himachal Pradesh, and Bollywood seemed to be the next logical step for the girl who had inherited her mother’s vocal skills. “I sang a few songs for composers here, but the offer that really surprised me came from Ketan Mehta and his wife Deepa Sahi. “They asked me to compose a song, using the three words of their film’s title, Tere Mere Phere . The next thing I knew, I was composing the film’s music,” says Shivi. For the 19-year old, it was quite an achievement.
Shivi is experiencing the same high now, with three films in the bag this year, where she composes and sings. “It’s been a great start to 2014, and I have some fabulous songs lined up,” says the singer-composer, whose song ‘Aisi Hi Hoon Main’ from Amit Sahni Ki List is a chartbuster. “The song’s about women’s empowerment. It talks about how women don’t need to wake up looking like they just stepped out of a Vogue shoot! Lighten up, people!”
The crooner says composing is quite a part of her now. “I am composing three songs for Dilphire and four songs for another film, which is still under wraps. Most music composers focus on production levels in their compositions, but being from the hills, melody remains my focus. I believe in the folk music of India,” she says, adding, “For Dilphire , I have recorded a song called ‘Tujh Bin’ with three Rajasthani folk singers and the effect is ethereal. I even have a tapori dance number with Mika Singh and a lovely romantic song with Arijit Singh.” Shivi says working with Mika is a great experience, as he is very experimental. “He is open to singing in new styles and I have done something different with him for another film album.”
Working as a female composer in Bollywood is no great shakes at all, says Shivi. “You are as good as your composition. You face the same challenges as a male composer. Make good music and you will be appreciated.”
