Anupama Raag

Anupama Raag is a Bollywood music director and singer, born in Lucknow and educated at Bhatkhande Music Institute.

 She works for Salman Khan Productions and Yash Raj Films and has also composed music for Lucknow Development Authority and the Uttar Pradesh Pride Song for Uttar Pradesh Government. She has also composed jingles for TV Commercials for various brands.

Let’s read more…..

Taking you back in time, share with us your working experience with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for the album Saware?

Working with Rahat Sahab has been the most cherishing experience of my career. I look at Saware as a melodious and exceptional composition that came to life only because of Rahat Sahab, otherwise, it was a body without a soul.

The video of Saware was shot in Lucknow. He came from Pakistan because he had immense respect for my composition. I take it as a privilege for having such a fankar coming to my place just to shoot my song. It was a moment to cherish. He, despite all the odds with burning locations in the heat of June and breaking of conflicts and local riots, shot his part without complaining and went back with an unforgettable smile. Saware will always be my most endearing possession because of these prized memories.

Any moment that you would like to share with us of your debut song.

I will always respect Anand Raj Anand Ji for giving a chance to a fresh voice like me. ‘Shalu ke thumke’ was next in the series of Sheela/Munni item songs; these songs were a rage at that point of time.

The song was an instant hit. It was all over the nation. I felt like I was a discovery for everyone and was presented as one on many news channels. I was fortunate that my first song was such a hit. It got me many playbacks offers later. It was the dream launching pad, any new singer can wish for.

You got a chance to sing with Madhuri Dixit Nene. Share with us your experience on Gulab Gang traditional folk song;

Singing with Madhuri Dixit ma’am and her mother, Snehlata Dixit in her debut song were like a dream come true. I’m thankful to Anubhav Sinha Ji and the Director of the movie, Soumik Sen Ji for the opportunity. Although I never got to meet her during the recording as we all sang according to our convenience of time, sharing the same audio track with her was out of the world experience.

Recently you put up a message for Composer Wajid Khan, can you tell us how are you dealing with the current pandemic anxiety after hearing news about your fellow friends from the industry?

I consider Sajid Wajid as my mentor. Especially Wajid Ji who guided me in my initial days.

I sang for the movie ‘Mile Na Mile Hum’, ‘Nazar se nazar mile’ with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for him. We became good friends and shared some memorable times.

His demise is something I still can’t come to terms with. I can’t believe that he is no more. We were always in touch and he was hoping that his health will improve soon despite the fact he was admitted to the hospital for many months. He was a man with a beautiful soul; always making people around him smile and in high spirits. We have lost an exceptional composer and human being. It is tragic.

How is your music helping you during this quarantine period?

I think this quarantine and lockdown period is working best for people connected with creative fields, especially music. We need some alone time, reclusive lifestyle to create something new. So it is proving a blessing in disguise for me. I have been able to churn out many new compositions including four songs dedicated to the difficult times we are stuck in today. The songs have even got massive appreciation and have been featured in the news channels ofttimes.

I feel that every difficult phase in life and society gives birth to new genres in literature and music; so will this phase. As they say, literature is a reflection of the happenings in society, so I am hoping that this fire and frustration will find its way out in these creative vents and make a mark in the history of the world.

What is your message to other women out there?

 I feel women should be economically independent in their lives. It gives us control over our lives and also the power and confidence of being useful not just for us but also for our loved ones. Even if you are not working, one should be at least eligible for work so that you are prepared for any kind of eventualities in life.

We women have been programmed for multitasking. It is a unique quality that the male counterparts lack. No woman should ever miss a chance of exploring this side of her personality.

Author Bio :

Mariam Ansari hails from  the exotic country of Tanzania but has chosen to settle down in India. A multilingual girl with a degree in English Literature and a flair for writing,became an social media influencer.At present Content & Communication Head for UNIMO.