Shoma Banerjee: Whenever I Hear My Voice on Screen, I Cry [Singer, Composer, Playback for A.R. Rahman, India]

Shoma Banerjee Interview

Playback singer Shoma Banerjee has spent decades navigating music, criticism, and creative independence. She reveals how one simple sentence from A.R. Rahman changed the way she approached every performance.

"You are sounding great but we can have another one ," such reaction from the music director gives you courage and you do much better.

Q. As a performer, you have built a large and dedicated audience. Beyond being a singer, how would you describe yourself when the camera is off?

I am an emotional person but very very impulsive. At times don't like to be consistent in the mundane life. But what is consistent is my desire to help people, which comes naturally.

Q. You have had a remarkable journey in music since beginning your career and participating in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 1995. Looking back, what changes do you feel in yourself and in how society sees you as a singer?

I am really content in whatever I have achieved because I did it on my own terms. But yes, the career of your talent, that is the music companies manipulated a lot in making the voices reach out to people. This is changed now. You have your own media to reach and make your own audience. Till now people come and asks me, where are you. Didn't get to know much after sa re ga ma because we were not promoted but we definitely had a huge fan following. Remembering the participant of a 30 years old contest is commendable.

Q. Your first movie as a playback singer was Taal in 1999, and you became the voice of Aishwarya Rai. How did it feel to know your voice would represent her on screen?

Though I sang for many films before Taal came. But I have to tell you that, the main song is by Alka ji. But that theme song on her gave me goose bumps. Whenever I see my song on screen, I can't stop my tears of happiness because it's actually the God's pick. You can see HIS hands.

Q. After the success of your work, A.R. Rahman gave you another opportunity in Saathiya, where you sang “Chhalka Chhalka.” How was your experience working with such a legendary music director?

Working with Rahman Sir is life learning experience. He is such a divine personality. He gives you all the liberty to experiment. Before meeting Rahman, I had the experience of ugly criticism but with Rahman, it will always "you are sounding great but we can have another one ' such reaction from the music director gives you courage and you do much better.

Q. You are also one of the leading playback singers in Marathi music. Coming from Bengal, what challenges did you face with pronunciation and language while singing in Marathi, and how did you overcome them?

Singing Marathi is a real challenge because the Marathi listeners are too possessive about their language. But my lady producer Nita Deokar confidently made me two movies with prominent songs. I have sang 15 languages in a Bharat shah produced movie, Jai Jagannath. I do have a interest in learning languages.

Q. What are some of your favourite books, movies, or series?

As a child started reading Charles Diken, Enid Blyton but I widened my reading. Read Premchand, Agatha Christie, Fyodor, Kafka ...many Started reading poetries quite late when started understanding the feel. My final destination is definitely film making. I am hooked to Majidi, Aparna Sen, Federico, Satyajit. My story Central Avenue is ready to find a producer.

Bio: 

Shoma Banerjee started her journey in participating Sa Re Ga Ma Pa music show. After participating she started her career as a Bollywood playback singer. She is an playback singer for legendary music director A.R. Rahman. He gave her break in taal movie, and she became the voice of Aishwarya rai on screen. After that she sings for many movies and build her strong career. Also, she did Marathi music. Now she is doing "Baithak" which is meant a music night to all music lovers, and those who worships music.

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Interviewed by: Vanshika Gupta