Posted:
October 31, 2007 Bombay times
She doesn't even remember when she started crooning. She was a singer even before she learnt reading or writing and the stage became her playground. That's Chauhan for you. Very few people know that who's a pro at singing any kind of songs hasn't learnt singing at all. So, how does she know it all? Well that just because she seems to have an uncanny ability to learn music all by herself. And that's probably the reason why she is so confident every time she is in front of the mike or is on stage. But that doesn't mean that she keeps working 24x7, is known for her brilliant sense of humour and can have a person rolling on the floor with her brilliant imitation of some singers. She speaks to BT about making it big at such an early age and her future goals.
At the age of 11, won the music show Meri Awaaz Suno and got her award from Lata Mangeshkar and the world noticed her for her brilliant rendition of songs. A frock-clad was definitely excited but not nervous when she walked on the stage to receive her trophy. And was noticed by many, but at that young an age few offers came her way. She remembers singing her first playback number for Aadesh Shrivastav for the movie Shastra. Having performed with music directors Kalaynji-Anandji's troupe called Little Stars, was noticed by many people. So did the victory of Meri Awaaz Suno help her at all? "Of course it did. Firstly people like Lata Mangeshkar heard me; secondly I reached so many homes. Also, I got my first playback break after that," she says. Her second big break came with Mast, where Sonu Nigam recommended her to Sandeep Chowtha. " Mast made a huge difference to my career. I got to sing some great songs, which are remembered even today. A beginner can't ask for more," she smiles.
When asked why she didn't learn music, she says, "The age when one is supposed to learn I was already performing and now I hardly have any time to learn music. But I am a quick learner and what better teacher than onthe-job experience?" At 23 years of age is already independent girl. So how does that make her feel? "I don't feel proud, but yes it makes me feel really good. It's a huge boost to my confidence. At my age some girls are still undecided about the career they want to choose. But I can make my own decision," she points.
But becoming a playback singer was not a conscious decision, says , who believes in going with the flow. "I never plan anything. Singing was more of a hobby that turned into my profession. Had I planned too much I would have missed out on the fun I had doing what I knew to do," she says. But it wasn't smooth sailing all the while. voice was very different from the saccharine sweet voices that people were used to among female playback singers. "But the good thing was that no one said she can't sing. Yes, after Mast I was offered a lot of fast numbers. But luckily that changed when Annu Malik offered me Meri zindagi mein song in Ajnabi. People suddenly realised that I can sing romantic numbers as well. Then things changed and I got to sing all kinds of songs. It got be a lot of appreciation. I think an artist has to be versatile. Thank god I was able to deliver. I have more than item-songs to sing," she says. The passion for her music helped her survive even when she was going through crisis in her personal life. After her a brief courtship, married Bobby Khan, who's choreographer Ahmed Khan's brother. However, the marriage did not last long. But did not falter; she picked herself up and moved on with her life. is happy to be single at the moment. Doesn't she have any plans to settle down? "No, not at the moment. I am 24, single and happy. I not in any hurry," she laughs. doesn't have any reason to hurry. The world is already crooning her songs.
But looks like some colleagues have a grudge against . Her growing popularity seems to have become an eye sore for some. Alka Yagnik has often been said to making unflattering comments about . So how does she deal with such malice? "I don't deal with it all. The thing is that no one has come up to me and said anything to me. Alkaji is my senior; she has been nice to me whenever we've met. So, I don't get upset over such petty things," she says.
Many Indian singers often say that they don't ever receive the kind of adulation that singers in other parts of the world get. And one of the main reasons for that is that there isn't much of a market for music other than Bollywood music. says, "Bollywood music is pretty much the thing for us. And there isn't anything to complain about. Nobody and nothing can change anything. One person cannot do anything. People for whom you are making your music have to like it and accept it. Till then you just have to do whatever you can to the best of your abilities." Seems like this 24-year-old is speaking words that are beyond her age. Does she miss growing up the way other girls her age do? "I don't regret it at all. I am independent. If by growing up you mean hanging out with friends or going for movies or having fun, I am doing all that now. I don't have a reason to crib about the way things have shaped up for me," she says. So does that mean she has realised all her dreams? "No, I want to cut an international music album. Of course there are dreams that are to be fulfiled," she dreams on.
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'I am 24, single and happy'
Chauhan already has more than 10 years of experience behind her. This early beginner tells Harshada Rege she's glad she started out young
She doesn't even remember when she started crooning. She was a singer even before she learnt reading or writing and the stage became her playground. That's Chauhan for you. Very few people know that who's a pro at singing any kind of songs hasn't learnt singing at all. So, how does she know it all? Well that just because she seems to have an uncanny ability to learn music all by herself. And that's probably the reason why she is so confident every time she is in front of the mike or is on stage. But that doesn't mean that she keeps working 24x7, is known for her brilliant sense of humour and can have a person rolling on the floor with her brilliant imitation of some singers. She speaks to BT about making it big at such an early age and her future goals.
At the age of 11, won the music show Meri Awaaz Suno and got her award from Lata Mangeshkar and the world noticed her for her brilliant rendition of songs. A frock-clad was definitely excited but not nervous when she walked on the stage to receive her trophy. And was noticed by many, but at that young an age few offers came her way. She remembers singing her first playback number for Aadesh Shrivastav for the movie Shastra. Having performed with music directors Kalaynji-Anandji's troupe called Little Stars, was noticed by many people. So did the victory of Meri Awaaz Suno help her at all? "Of course it did. Firstly people like Lata Mangeshkar heard me; secondly I reached so many homes. Also, I got my first playback break after that," she says. Her second big break came with Mast, where Sonu Nigam recommended her to Sandeep Chowtha. " Mast made a huge difference to my career. I got to sing some great songs, which are remembered even today. A beginner can't ask for more," she smiles.
When asked why she didn't learn music, she says, "The age when one is supposed to learn I was already performing and now I hardly have any time to learn music. But I am a quick learner and what better teacher than onthe-job experience?" At 23 years of age is already independent girl. So how does that make her feel? "I don't feel proud, but yes it makes me feel really good. It's a huge boost to my confidence. At my age some girls are still undecided about the career they want to choose. But I can make my own decision," she points.
But becoming a playback singer was not a conscious decision, says , who believes in going with the flow. "I never plan anything. Singing was more of a hobby that turned into my profession. Had I planned too much I would have missed out on the fun I had doing what I knew to do," she says. But it wasn't smooth sailing all the while. voice was very different from the saccharine sweet voices that people were used to among female playback singers. "But the good thing was that no one said she can't sing. Yes, after Mast I was offered a lot of fast numbers. But luckily that changed when Annu Malik offered me Meri zindagi mein song in Ajnabi. People suddenly realised that I can sing romantic numbers as well. Then things changed and I got to sing all kinds of songs. It got be a lot of appreciation. I think an artist has to be versatile. Thank god I was able to deliver. I have more than item-songs to sing," she says. The passion for her music helped her survive even when she was going through crisis in her personal life. After her a brief courtship, married Bobby Khan, who's choreographer Ahmed Khan's brother. However, the marriage did not last long. But did not falter; she picked herself up and moved on with her life. is happy to be single at the moment. Doesn't she have any plans to settle down? "No, not at the moment. I am 24, single and happy. I not in any hurry," she laughs. doesn't have any reason to hurry. The world is already crooning her songs.
But looks like some colleagues have a grudge against . Her growing popularity seems to have become an eye sore for some. Alka Yagnik has often been said to making unflattering comments about . So how does she deal with such malice? "I don't deal with it all. The thing is that no one has come up to me and said anything to me. Alkaji is my senior; she has been nice to me whenever we've met. So, I don't get upset over such petty things," she says.
Many Indian singers often say that they don't ever receive the kind of adulation that singers in other parts of the world get. And one of the main reasons for that is that there isn't much of a market for music other than Bollywood music. says, "Bollywood music is pretty much the thing for us. And there isn't anything to complain about. Nobody and nothing can change anything. One person cannot do anything. People for whom you are making your music have to like it and accept it. Till then you just have to do whatever you can to the best of your abilities." Seems like this 24-year-old is speaking words that are beyond her age. Does she miss growing up the way other girls her age do? "I don't regret it at all. I am independent. If by growing up you mean hanging out with friends or going for movies or having fun, I am doing all that now. I don't have a reason to crib about the way things have shaped up for me," she says. So does that mean she has realised all her dreams? "No, I want to cut an international music album. Of course there are dreams that are to be fulfiled," she dreams on.
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