National Award-winning playback singer Shreya Ghoshal has shared her insights on the intrinsic connection between singing and composing, stating that a singer always harbors a composer within. She emphasized the importance for a singer to cultivate the mindset of a composer in order to do justice to a song.
Fighting the Temptation to Compose
Speaking with IANS while traveling for shows across the globe, Ghoshal addressed the challenge of resisting the urge to turn composer. "The fight is hard because I keep doing it," she admitted. "I have released a couple of singles, which I have composed, and I have done it along with my younger brother. But I would say that there is a composer in a singer."
Blurring the Lines Between Singer and Composer
She explained that the two paths cannot be entirely separate, as not all composers demand strict adherence to their original composition. "When you are on the mic, you are constantly being creative, adding to the color of the song, enhancing it in some way, or adding your soul to it. In that process, you end up adding some compositions and ideas. It is a very fluid process," she told IANS.
Time Constraints and Self-Doubt
Ghoshal cited lack of time as a key reason for not fully stepping into music composing. "If you are doing independent music, it gives you a much more free hand to do that. For films, sometimes it is very rigid. But I save myself a lot from that temptation because there is a lack of time. I want to do it, but somehow I have to choose. And I feel maybe I am not that great as a composer," she said with a laugh.
Inspiration and Future Plans
Reflecting on her inspirations, she said, "The people I really look up to, like I idolize Lata Ji as a singer, Asha Ji as a singer. I have a lot of respect for composers. With such people, if you compare yourself, you will feel they are so far above in their craft. That is why I am on that singular journey, to be able to sing well. But I might spring into composing. You will hear me."
