The unstoppable Royal

Neha Kirpal

You’ve probably heard her inimitable voice in songs like “Love You Zindagi” from Dear Zindagi and “Din Shagna Da” in Phillauri. Ludhiana girl Jasleen Kaur Royal (26), who became popular after qualifying as a semi-finalist in India’s Got Talent in 2009, is out with her first solo album Hichki, which stars Rani Mukerji. Excerpts from an interview with the young singer-composer:

You have composed music for the upcoming Rani Mukerji-starrer Hichki and Karan Deol-starrer Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas. What do we look forward to in these albums?

My first solo album Hichki is special to me for more reasons than one. I have invested a whole year in Hichki. As part of many musical experiments we did with composing the music of the film, the song “Oye Hichki” uses utensils, tubs and spoons. Also we worked with four Dharavi rappers for “Madamji Go Easy”, another song in the film.

Then there are quirky lyrics like “Vasco Da Gama, Columbus Ka Mama, Ghar Na Thikana, Tiffin Se Khana.” A number of traditional musical instruments like  dhol, tasha and cough beat-boxing have been used to give this song a raasta (street) feel. I hope the effort, sweat and social cut-off (my friends blame me for) that has gone into the making of this album comes across. As far as composing music for the Deol family is concerned, it is every Punjabi’s dream come true. My father would be very proud of me.

You have mostly self-taught playing instruments like the guitar, mouthorgan, tambourine and keyboard. Tell us how you became a one-woman band.

I didn’t have any formal training in music since my family isn’t inclined towards music. Moreover, there are no good music schools in Ludhiana. I would drive from one end of the city to another on my scooty, chasing anyone who could teach me music. I would go to the local gurdwara to learn playing the harmonium and tabla and pestered my music teacher at school to teach me chords and carols. I ended up playing several musical instruments at the same time.

Tell us about the earliest musical influences that have shaped you.

I have grown up listening to all kinds of music. My mother is a  fan of Gulzar. Maachis is one of her favourite albums. I have grown up loving poetry because of her. Lucky Ali, A R Rahman, R D Burman, S D Burman, Cat Stevens, the Beatles, Ray Charles are all on my favourite list.

Recently, Anushka Sharma made her wedding entry to your song “Din Shagna Da” from Phillauri. How does that make you feel?

Overwhelmed! I remember working on the song for her engagement sequence in the film, and once again it came to life when she walked down the aisle to the song on her wedding day. The wedding was the talk of the nation, and suddenly everyone was sending me video snippets of her entry.