Sonali goes pop

Even for someone like Sonali Vajpayee who has sung innumerable songs for films and music albums in various regional languages, her first solo album is a major happening. Tum Ho Mere Paas has been released by Rajshri Music and the song Dil kisipe jab aa jaye featuring her is making the rounds of all music channels. With a strong classical background and a flawless rendition, voice and conviction Sonali wants to be recognised as a talented artiste who has made a mark in every genre of music including pop music.

I was approached by Rajshri music to do a music album with them, which is a dream come true. I was actively involved in each and every stage of the project from writing, programming to recording. I have sung all the songs to the best of my capability.

Born in Bhopal, Sonali was brought up in a musical environment. At the tender age of nine she got acquainted with veteran music composer Kalyanji while she was on a trip to Mumbai. That meeting changed the course of her young life as she stayed back in Mumbai to get formally trained in music.

Sonali performed for the first time in Mumbai at ‘Hope 86’, a mega show along with singers like Alka Yagnik and Sadhana Sargam. She was introduced to the audience by none other than Asha Bhonsle. Since then, she has been performing at innumerable stage shows all over the world. She has also done playback singing for Hindi films like Do Qaidi with Kishore Kumar for composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Khoon Bhari Maang with Sadhana Sargam for Rajesh Roshan and Pratigyabadh (solo) for Kalyanji-Anandji. She has also sung for various TV serials including Jai Veer Hanuman, Shri Krishna and Mahabharat.

But it’s her album that excites her right now. Says she, “I was approached by Rajshri music to do a music album with them, which is a dream come true. I was actively involved in each and every stage of the project from writing, programming to recording.” Terming it as the most important project of her career, Sonali states that she has sung all the songs to the “best of my capability.”

Being promoted as an artist on screen for the first time was an unforgettable experience for her. “When they put forward this idea, I was very apprehensive because everything was new but all the same, I liked the concept as it was simple and elegant. I am grateful to Rajshri music for having kept my personality in mind while conceiving the video,” says the singer gratefully.

Although playback singing is her ultimate aim Sonali would need to break the barriers of her inherent shyness. With efforts and good luck, Sonali Vajpayee can cross these barriers and carve a niche for herself and achieve what may look tough and impossible.

Anita Seth