Shibani Kashyap said- Now a song runs for only 15 days, people make reels and then forget it

You have been in the world of music for a long time. How do you see this journey of yours?

I am thankful that my journey has been long and is still going on. I started my career in 1996 with the signature tune of All India Radio FM. My first song ‘Ho Gayi Hai Mohabbat’ came in 1998, which became a huge hit. If people remember that song till date, it means my song has been successful. Then I entered Bollywood with the song ‘Sajna Aa Bhi Ja’ from the film ‘Vaisa Bhi Hota Hai’. These songs of mine are heard even today. I represent India not only in India but also in other countries. I perform every year in the New York Day Parade to celebrate India’s independence. I feel happy to create my own new content. I do not plan much. I believe that when you plan too much and things do not get completed, it is disappointing.

No one wants to call me a composer, I have to fight as a woman: Shibani Kashyap

In this era when people forget things in a short span of time, your songs are still remembered. What do you think is the reason behind this? What is your opinion about today’s songs?

This is melody. When your melody and song is good and you sing it with all your heart, then this definitely happens. There are some musical frequencies and melodies, they stay in your mind in such a way that they do not go away. Then it gets absorbed in people. Some music in today’s music is very good, then some music is such that you hear one song and copy it in all the songs. They are just copies of each other. There is a lack of rhythm in the songs. If your songs do not have emotions, then it will not work. Bollywood song ‘Lag Ja Gale’ is the most famous and liked song in the whole world. As soon as you hear Lata ji’s song ‘Rahen Na Rahen’, tears come to your eyes. If this emotion is there in today’s songs, then they will run for a long time. But nowadays that song runs for 10-15 days, people dance, make reels on them. Then after a few days people forget them and no one listens. That is why it is important to put life into the songs.

You perform in different countries. Do you ever think of settling down in another country?

Change is always good. When we go abroad, we learn new things about that place, but home is home. There is no country like India. I have been to America, Russia, Australia, and recently to Uzbekistan as well. But there is something here that is connected to the heart and nothing can replace it. The feeling of patriotism among the people cannot be replaced. I respect all those places, but I have never thought of settling and living there because my heart does not agree.

We should celebrate that we are a free country: Shibani Kashyap

The language of every place is different, but the language of music is one. What difference do you see in the music there?

Every place has its own specialty. They have their own special culture and their clothing, food and music are a part of that culture. I am lucky that I have had the opportunity to visit so many countries. I have especially had an exchange of art with music there, which was amazing. When I went to Uzbekistan, there was a food and music festival going on there. I talked to the musicians there. Dotara is a special musical instrument there. Then in Russia, opera is more popular. When you go to America, hip-hop, RnB and jazz are preferred. I have even tried to include all these music elements in my music. I am an empanelled artist of ICCR. They often send me to participate in their festivals in different countries.

You travel all over the world. But when you return to Delhi, how do you feel?

My heart is in Delhi. This is my hometown. Whenever I come here, I feel like I have come back home. Although I am not able to visit Delhi much now. Despite this, wherever I live, Delhi is always in my heart.