"Saajana"

Music Season 2006

Ilayaraja live in Italy

'Ilayaraja's Thiruvasagam

Music Therapy

"Saajana"

The �Deewane� Girl, Shweta Shetty was in Chennai to release her latest Album, �Saajana�. It is her seventh Album and is released by Universal Music India. Shweta was exposed to music at a very early age. Her mother was a Carnatic classical vocalist and encouraged Shweta to take up the art. She was spotted by Shiamak Davar who was judging a contest at Malhaar, where Shweta was Singing. He offered her a role in his play, Best of Broadway. After that, string of plays followed. She bagged the exclusive recording deal in 1988. Clad in black formals and directly from the Airport, Shweta (she prefers to be called that way) spoke to S.Padma.

Padma : Welcome to Chennai, How is the place?

Shwetha: Great, but too hot, however the hospitality of the people make me forget the weather

Padma: Where has Shweta been all these years, its been a long break

Shwetha: I have been married for the past six years, Settled in Hamburg in Germany. For the past two years I have been working on Saajana. With this, Indian fans surely have a album to remember.

Padma: About the New Album

Shwetha: The Album is called �Saajana�. There is a variety of style of music in this. I have got a Sufi, and a beautiful classical ballad called 'Dhola Re'. There is a Drum and base, electro pop. The music is composed by DJ Moody and the lyrics are penned by Shabbir Ahmed, Sashikant Mishra, Yashpal Tanwar and myself.

Padma: How is it different from your previous Album?

Shwetha: The style of singing is different, the concept is a new one. It is of an international standard. It is the Best of all the albums I have done. I am sure it is going to do well. Its already on the top. I am happy my place is still reserved inspite of my long absense

Padma: How about Bollywood? Any new offers in playback singing?

Shwetha: I have done Roja and Rangeela already. Presently I have recorded a song for the picture �Zameen� with Himesh Reshammiya. The film stars Bipasha Basu and Ajay Devagan. I have sung the song with KK. Again, another South Indian. I have a soft corner for them.

Padma: How about acting?

Shwetha: Oh no, not at all. I hate to put on make up. And dance in front of those light. Moreover I want to spend more time with my husband and do my meditation properly. I have been meditating for the past four years

Padma: When will Shweta enter South Indian field?

Shwetha: I would love to. A.R.Rahman is one of my favorites. I will fly down from anywhere to do a song with him. But I have not been getting offers. I am open to them. South India houses great musicians like Illayaraja, Rahman. Given a chance I would surely work with them.

Padma: Has the hindi pop world changed in ten years?

Shwetha: of course, lot, and its really disappointing. Today there is a lot of remixes rather than pop. There are very few good singers. The music companies are going back to the old singers who have given good hits. No more can anyone and everyone strive in this field. I think the companies have learnt a very hard way.

Padma: If you are given a chance to change the music world what change would you bring about?

Shwetha: The answer to this is my latest album �Saajana� I am sure its different from what people have done or I have done. Even I have done some bad albums for which I repent now. But �Saajana� is the one for which I have put my heart and soul. Saajana surely carries a message with meaningful lyrics and meaningful music. Universal has been kind enough to accept it as it is without much of a change. The audience will surely feel the change.

Padma: About remixes, Do you approve of it?

Shwetha: Well I did one, Q-Funk (Kajra Mohabbatwala), that�s when the trend started. Today every song has got its remix. What is the kind of talent if you take music from other talents. I can�t bear to see such remixes. I would rather work on the remixes of my own songs than other songs..

Padma: Do you think the albums, especially the videos, are taking a Vulgar turn?

Shwetha: One has to accept that in show biz vulgarity and erotica is common. But the lakshman rekha should not be crossed. I will surely not resort to cheap things. Singing bad and looking good is a crime. The vice versa may be accepted, but there is a limit for every thing.

Padma: Do you think the field is male dominated?

Shwetha: Well, in India every field is male dominated. There are few females in the field. I would say Alisha and Myself have stood up. Of course Lataji and Ashaji did different kind of music. But in our own genre, I think we both have stood up.

Padma: Shweta's favourites?

Shwetha: Actor: Aamir Khan, Actress:Aishwarya Rai, Singer: Asha Bhosle , Kavitha Krishnamoorthy, Color:White, Western singer:Mariah Carey, M&M. Born on 20th June 1969.