A well-versed Jazz singer, Mili Nair of ‘Mithi Boliyan’ fame from the Hindi film Kai Po Che will perform in Chennai tonight. She talks about her tryst with different tunes, her inspirations and musical future.
Your first singing experience…
I have been singing from when I can remember. I have learnt a little bit of Carnatic music and have completed all the grades in Western classical music. My first professional experience was at the age of 13. I went to a studio in Mumbai to sing a jingle for a shirt brand.
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It was unbelievable! I think it was a blessing. He is an amazing musician and the vision he has for his music sets him way apart from others. As singers I think we just add some colour to an already beautiful composition of his!
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It was surreal! Like a dream. I watched ‘Mithi Boliyan’ first on screen and all my friends who were there whistled and clapped! I had to hide. Even in Ambikapathy , the music was beautiful. And listening to my voice in a theatre, where it sounds so big… It was great.
Collaborating with different artistes on Coke Studio…
Amit Trivedi is fantastic to work with and at Coke Studio I got to sing with people from across the spectrum. From Carnatic to Rajasthani folk. I have got all that experience now and it has definitely enriched me.
What inspires you?
I listen to a lot of music and I perform with different set of musicians. So even when I am working on a cover, I work in a way that the strengths of these musicians get highlighted. I am not too experimentative but I have a lot of fun with music and I do take creative liberties while I am on stage.
Mili Nair will perform at Elevate — The Lounge bar today from 9 p.m. onwards