I'm a temperamental musician

National Award-winning singer Shashaa Tirupati collaborated with ace music director Amit Trivedi for the song 'Manasu Maree' in Telugu movie 'V'.

Shashaa has entertained us with songs like 'Humma Humma' (Ok Jaanu), 'Phir Bhi Tumko Chhunga' (Half Girlfriend), 'Baarish' (Half Girlfriend), 'Kanha' (Shubh Mangal Saavdhan), 'Mahi Aaja' (Singh is Bliing) amongst others.

She recently collaborated with the legendary singer Chinmayi Sripada for the first time for their Tamil video single 'Yezhundhu Vaa' and the Hindi audio version of the same is 'Roothi Hui'

The Tamil version of the song has a music video featuring Shashaa Tirupati and Chinmayi Sripada. Along with composing the song, Shashaa also wrote the Hindi lyrics of 'Roothi Hui'.

Shashaa has also recently been in the news for her first self-composed and written Hindi original singles 'Beparwahi' and 'Hum Kahan Hai'. The Canadian raised successfully released her English singles 'Oceans Rained' and 'Strings of Air'.

Excerpts from an interview

How was to collaborate with Amit Trivedi for Telugu film 'V'?

It would be a delight if Amit would sing an original composition of mine someday! It was the icing on the cake to be able to sing on the same track as him as my co-singer besides as the composer of the song.

He's so comfortable to work with, and he never makes you feel like he's THE Amit Trivedi we've studied! I think all of that put together commands all the more respect from those of us who go on to work with him.

Do you have Telugu roots as your last name is Tirupati?

None at all. Tirupati is my title, it's not our real surname. Our ancestral guru gave it to us a couple of generations ago and we continued using it. I'm of Kashmiri origin and Canadian citizenship.

What are your fondest musical memories?

Growing up listening to Rafi Sahab and thereafter Rahman Sir back home in Canada has been the most beautiful journey.

He was a dream I would live every day, without the faintest idea I'd have the honour of working and touring with almost decades down the line. And Rafi Sahab would be one person I wish I could go back in time and meet.

How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

I make them and come home and practice and try my best so as to never make them again. In the moment, I move on.

You can't let one mistake spoil the rest of your performance, which is very likely if you keep thinking about it.

How often and for how long do you practice?

I end up spending a lot of time in the studio or on stage, which is also nothing short of practising, but I do make it to do my riyaz at least an hour a day.

Please explain your creative process

I'm a temperamental musician. I suppose all those artistically inclined are. If I feel like writing a song, I'll sit and write and on the flow, complete the track in a week's time. Other days, I'll evade till I feel the vibe again.

I need to connect emotionally to songs I sing for me to able to do 100 per cent justice without forcing myself.

In other situations, I become the entity I'm required to become, much like an actor taking on the role of the character he or she is playing, and thereafter render.

What do you enjoy most about being a singer? What do you hate most?'

I love that we provide our voice, emotion, render lyrics and rhythm and all the good stuff to the song! I wish singers' faces were given more pertinence though.

More than what's there today, which is definitely better than a couple of years back.

Also, considering it's a muscle, it may tire or go for a toss with fatigue and lack of sleep or rest or maybe just a cold. We need injections to make us perennially and optimally functional!

Which is the best song you have ever released and why?

From midst my originals, I feel Oceans Rained and Yezhundhu Vaa are songs that came from very damaged parts of my heart and I'm quite relieved that people have appreciated both.

An instrument which you want to learn and why?

I play the harmonium, kazoo and a bit of the classical guitar; I'd love to resume playing the guitar and one day perhaps basic saxophone. it's such a romantic instrument! One thing you want to change in the music industry.

We need more female-centric scripts and film-like funding for independent musicians/artists.

Who are your musical inspirations?

So many! Nusrat Saahab, Madan Mohan Saahab, Norah Jones, Amber Bain, Bon Iver, Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Bade Ghulam Ali Saab, Mehndi Hassan, Radiohead, Rahman Sir.

What kind of music do you listen to today?

It's insane, my playlists! All of the above plus Stereophonics, Bon Iver, Radiohead, Vance Joy, Novo Amor (I would kill to collaborate with him, Bon Iver, Mark Ronson and Radiohead!), Widowspeak, Ed Tullet, Jamilia Woods, Seapony.

What is your favourite song to belt out at the bar/in the car/for karaoke?

The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson, White Flag by Dido.

Future projects?

Besides film, which I'm unable to speak about just yet, a lot of independent collaborations and songs, including with Papon, Harshdeep Kaur, Vishal and others!