‘Pollution horrible, I feel sorry for kids’

Singer Shilpa Rao says she fell ill due to the air quality while performing recently in Delhi and Gurugram, but the audiences keep her going

The city’s pollution is not just taking a toll on our health, but also isn’t sparing those briefly in the city for performances. Such was the case with singer Shilpa Rao, who was recently in Delhi and Gurugram. She says pollution was “horrible”, and she had an unpleasant experience with the city’s air.

“I fell sick. I feel sorry for the kids [here]. My friend has a one-year-old daughter who is suffering from cold and asthma,” says Shilpa. But it doesn’t deter her from performing in the city, which she’s doing for 10 years now.

Shilpa says she loves the energy of the Capital and its people, especially in college fests. “It’s very overwhelming to perform for the kids there. They know all songs, sing with you, know all lyrics. The crowd in Delhi-Gurugram is very enthusiastic. [They are] connected with performers. It’s a pleasure to come back and perform for them,” she says.

Shilpa has several popular Bollywood numbers such as Bulleya (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil; 2016), Malang (Dhoom 3; 2013), Manmarziyan (Lootera; 2013) and Gustakh Dil (English Vinglish; 2012).

The Jamshedpur-born singer is based in Mumbai, but cherishes every visit to the Capital. In fact, she never misses to catch up with friends when in town. “I have a lot of friends [in Delhi-Gurugram]. Almost every time I come, I stay for a few extra days to spend some extra time with them. We go, eat and chill,” adds the 34-year-old.

Today, her decade-old career includes a number of albums as well as live gigs. But, what does she prefer — recording in a studio or singing live? “I like to do a bit of everything. It’s great to record, be on studio, stage and cut off from everything from time to time,” she says.

A trained Hindustani classical music singer, she credits her father for introducing her to music.

“[I have had] a lot to learn from everybody; met composers, worked with many directors. [But] I have been myself for every song that I have sung. Hariharan [the singer] uncle has been a guiding force for me always. Not just a great musician, he’s an awesome human being. We can all strive to be like him,” she concludes.

My friend has a oneyearold daughter who is suffering from cold and asthma. I also fell sick [in the city]. It’s a collective call, everybody has to do their bit SHILPA RAO

SINGER