Digitisation has empowered independent artistes: Ronkini Gupta

By Siddhi Jain

New Delhi, Sep 26 (IANSlife) Singer Ronkini Gupta won many a heart and a Filmfare Award nomination for the Best Female Playback Singer with her soulful rendition of songs 'Chaav Laaga' and 'Tu Hi Aham' in 'Sui Dhaaga' (2018) and 'Rafu' in 'Tumhari Sulu' (2017). A trained Hindustani Classical singer and winner of the reality show 'Saregamapa World Series' in 2004, Ronkini recently performed at the digital HCL concert. IANSlife caught up with the Goa-based vocalist to learn more about her work. Excerpts:

1. How do you balance classical singing and Bollywood playbacks?
   Classical music provides the building block for any and every kind of music. I trained in it thinking it would allow me to explore genres and help me grow in whichever direction or genre I want to. And it has helped me indeed. But I've fallen totally in love with Hindustani classical, which gives me complete satisfaction and has also become my strength. And as for balance, life balances us.

2. Does your 'Saregamapa' success still play a role in your life and career?
   It's a moment very close to my heart - early taste of visibility and success.

3. What do you think about the representation of classical music in Hindi films?
   Weak as compared to yesteryears, but change is the only constant. However, both the songs I've sung so far - 'Rafu' or 'Chaav Laaga' - have a fair hint of classical music and I consider myself fortunate for that. The universe plans for the person focused on the art.

4. What's keeping you busy these days?
   Music and lots of music. Riyaaz, recordings and live concerts. I have a fusion band called The Kheyaal-E-Jazz Projekt (of Indian Classical and Western genres) and I also teach a few people, so it's pretty time consuming and it all keeps me on my toes. I am also into painting. I enjoy reading, a little bit of poetry and theatre. And of course, I am a balanced person and I'm enjoying marital bliss to the fullest.

5. You've performed in a digital concert. Your thoughts on digitisation in music.
   It's great. I think, with digitisation a lot has changed in music. The reach that it gives to an artist like me is phenomenal. HCL Digital Concerts has given a lot of power to an independent artiste without making him/her too dependent on a music label.

6. About your upcoming projects.
   End of this year, I am releasing my Hindustani classical album "Mere Khayaal Se" for which I have recorded four Ragas - Yaman, Marva, Bihaag and Shyam Kalyan - and three original bandishes that I composed. The album will be available on YouTube and all the leading music apps.
   A couple of Bollywood songs are also in the pipeline. Let's hope they release soon. This week, my fusion band, Kheyaal-E-Jazz Projekt performs a web concert at the show "Circuit" produced by Sherrin Varghese from the famous Band of Boys.

   (Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)