INTRODUCTION
This is a peer reviewed featured artist of excellence from Smule India Community. Thanks to Sangeetha Rajesh and Karthik Jayaraman for the strong endorsements of the singer. Vidya is the most unassuming singer one may come across, who sings phenomenal some of the toughest songs from Bollywood classics; yet as a person is down to earth and she recognizes all her peers at such great appreciation. The true evidence of a great artist. It gives such immense pleasure writing this feature to bring to you all her fantastic music on Smule profile. Vidya who can easily speak in many languages and is a seasoned musician with excellent qualities to her singing. A singer who spent hours perfecting her singing, and a person of few words says her music speaks for itself. Here is a short account of her music, likings and viewpoints.
“I am Vidya Suresh from Hyderabad. I am a medical writer and a mother of two beautiful kids. I have spent most of my lifetime in Nagpur and my parents hail from Palakkad, Kerala.- so yes, I sing Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and very few Marathi songs; however, I am most comfortable singing Hindi songs.”
She sits with us to describe her early days of music “ I had a pretty humble start with my music learnings. Like many other stories written here my story is also not very different . She says “I started my music listening to music on tape recorders and tapes of Hindi music played by mom. She says I was very attracted and started singing naturally to the music. Now also I am a great listener and also try really hard to learn a song. Usually it takes so many takes before I finally kind of satisfied with one song. But later when I played back I still felt there were so many imperfections. I am a singer who yearns for that perfection in a song with all the details that a music director intended to be presented.”
So you are telling me that music is very natural to you, and you took that with you no matter what stages of life you went through. What is that same music to you today?
Music is like a language for me. The “Bhavam” in a song is what I am always in search of; for that expression of each song that is interwoven in the lyrics and raagam and the expressions. I am practicing all notes to perfect it, but I am still putting all that concentration to bring the right bhavam across. I am satisfied with a song when that communication between the singer and listener is achieved. If I feel even slightly that I can’t achieve this, I keep trying to get it across. You can see, my profile has only very few songs totally sung. I sing and post only when I feel that it conveys that emotion across my listener what that song is intended for. “
Are you a socially committed artist? What I mean by that is do you stand for use of an artist talent to benefit for a cause say child abuse etc., that may be a cause that you want to stand for?
“Yes, of course. If an artist stands for a cause if that musician’s fame or talent can benefit for a cause it can be used for strengthening the stand on that or in other words as an artist I will stand for the causes I care about . No questions about that.”
What does your present music mean to you?
It gives me immense happiness, and it makes me roll through tough times and makes it all feel like I can get through this easily.”
Briefly tell us about your musical journey so far
Music has always been an integral part of life; though I have never taken up music professionally. I have learnt some Hindustani classical music from my teacher Mrs. Chandra Banerjee; however, I was always inclined to light music. She did recognize this interest and taught me many ghazals, semi classical hindi film songs, bhajans etc. During my school days, I have participated in many local (within Nagpur) competitions.
I have participated in reality shows like Zee Saregamapa (2005) and Star voice of India (2007) and have had a good opportunity to meet with amazing singers like Toshi Sabri, Debojit Saha, and Ujjaini Mukherjee. Though I did not go too far in these shows; this was the first time I got an opportunity to meet people who eat- sleep- breathe music- super inspiring it was.
During my college days, I have done quite some musical programs in and around Nagpur for some time. I also used to be a part of Sai Bhajan programs during my post grad days in Delhi.
Your earliest memories of your interactions with music as a child
My mom always said that even as a baby, songs always invoked the emotion in me- especially-‘ Ek pyaar ka nagma hai’ even as a kid she says I used to look kind of emotional listening to it- (I still get choked up listening to this song).
My earliest memory of having sung for an audience (the kids in my school bus) is when I was probably 5 -6 years old. The biggest fan then was my bus driver (Khan uncle we called him) and the song Ek do teen (from the movie Tezaab) was my most popular song.
Every singer has that one song which they prefer singing in any competition. My standard song was Bole Re papihara from the movie Guddi. This song has helped me win many accolades.
Who influenced you the most as a child as far as your music interests and talents
Though there are no well-known classical singers in my family; all my relatives, especially on my Mom’s side, are decent singers and have a good ear for music. My mom wanted to take up music but couldn’t. I was such a lazy bone, but she was so driven- whatever little I have done in music- I completely owe it to her.
Classical music expertise:
As i said earlier, I had learnt some Hindustani music from Smt Chandra Banerjee; she was my music teacher in school. She has always understood my pros and cons as a singer and has a great role in molding my singing- especially for fine tuning of the harkats and bringing out the right bhaav. I had stopped learning classical music and now, after 10 long years, I have finally started learning music from her again.
I have also had an opportunity to learn music from Smt Sandhya Deshmukh. Along with Hindustani music, she also taught me Sai bhajans and gave me the opportunity to sing with her in many bhajan programs.
Classical music and its relevance in the current time
Having a decent grasp of sur and tal- is the basic qualification of a singer. Learning classical music and semi classical forms like- bhajans, thumri, ghazals definitely helps you understand the nuances of sur, taal, lay, and bhaav. Many people think classical music to be a set of harkats/ sangathis – that’s not true- classical music- be it Hindustani, Carnatic or even western helps one to be able to sing any kind of song( remember the scene from the movie Sankarabharanam J).
What exactly does your music mean to you?
Music is a way to express yourself; pour out your feelings- be it love, happiness, sadness.
Your thoughts about Tamil Malayalam and Hindi songs
Since childhood, I have listened Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam songs. My dad is a big fan of late legendary SPB and Ilayaraja and my mom listened to a lot of old Malayalam songs. I, on the other hand, always enjoyed listening to Shankar Jaikishan, Madan Mohan and SD, RD Burman music. I feel that the quality of music especially in Hindi and tamil movies albums has deteriorated (such a cliché na). However, there are still some amazing music directors whom I love listening to. My favorites present day composers are – Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Salim Suleiman,AR Rahman etc.
Do you think there is gender discrimination or any such inequalities exist in the music industry?
As far as my experience goes, I don’t think there are any gender inequalities in the music industry. There are so many amazing singers in India. I think 1 in 4 people sings well. We are just small fishes in a huge pool of singing talent. These days I believe there is a lot less monopoly in the music industry and many singers are getting opportunities to sing.
To really have a career in music, one really has to be the creamiest of the singing lot, extremely passionate, dedicated and highly driven (meaning one should grab every possible opportunity to display their talent, have an amazing network – well that’s true for any career choice though)
Do you pay attention to the lyrics and meaning of songs? Do you think they are important for music? If yes then why?
Well, when I listen to ghazals and bhajans, I really feel that lyrics are everything; lyrics from the essence of such song formats. However, when I listen to instrumentals say, flute by Ronu Mazumdar Ji, Violin by Subramanian sir- I think music needs no words. The instrumental notations are strong enough to create a meaning.
What career ambitions you have in music. Then how are you planning to achieve it?
Though I would love to be a singer, frankly, I have never actively sought a career in music. I love singing; it never tires me. Singing makes me feel calm, happy, positive, and connected to the divine. I joined Smule during the lockdown period, I never thought the experience would be so great. Collaborating with amazing singers like Karthik Krishna Jayaram, Jay Krishnan, Rahul Mars and TN Arunagiri is no less than a blessing I would say. Listening to this awesome talent pool of smule has really rekindled the drive to sing my heart out.
Where do you see yourself five years from now in your music?
Not expecting to have a career in music, unless a miracle happens (J)
Now it is time to list all your favorites in music (you may go with languages etc)
Classical play back singers music directors etc
Of course Asha Ji, Lataji are no less than goddesses for me. There are so many singers whom I adore- Chitramma, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shwetha Menon, Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam, Vijay Prakash. My present day favorite is Kaushiki Chakraborty Ji. Uff, she is class apart.
Aayiram Kannumai self group collab
Aaj jaane ki zidd na karo with TN Arunagiri
Payaliya jhankar and jivalaga(marathi) fusion with Karthik krishna Jayaram
Yamuna Veruthe- Malayalam song with Rahul Mars
ENDNOTES
Like Vidya said in her initial part of the interview, her music is a language that she uses to communicate with her listeners. The emotions and the rasa of each song she brought to us today told exactly that. When a musician’s music speaks volumes than our words, it makes it hundred times easier for us to write this. With an underline and capitals, Vidya’s music is exactly what she says it is. Her songs told us in a language of bhavas, that she is an artist with great understanding of what music stands for. Without any doubt Vidya’s profile is among few of the outstanding ones that we presented here. Please visit her profile at this link here and follow her and encourage her. Wishing her all the best in the future.
The great India Singers on Smule Sing 