Culturally, I remember listening to Salil Chowdhury's music for Malayalam films. Many Bengali actors have worked in our films, too.
I owe so much of my musical growth to my exploration and performance of Carnatic music.
I grew up listening to dappan koothu songs and loved the fun party vibes they gave.
I started off as a mimicry artist, have sung 'Gaana' folk music and popularized pop music in the South before I got into acting.
My roots are Carnatic music. I think everything stems from that.
I'm a huge fan of Chennai - the culture, the musicians, the audience... Language is not a barrier. It is all about the emotion in the music.
Across generations, the torch-bearers of Carnatic music have mastered the art form of connection.
I come from a musical family, and Carnatic music made up so much of my childhood, my upbringing, and my musical transition.
Being from a middle-class Indian family, I learned Carnatic music.
By the time I was 14, I had seen only three Tamil films - 'Anjali,' 'Bombay,' and 'Puthiya Mugam.' And I loved the music in the films. When I found out Rahman sir was the man behind the music, I made up my mind that I wanted to sing for him.
For a Punjabi singer to find acceptance down South is a tall task. I'm glad I earned their love and respect.
I wish to contribute more to south Indian music, especially Tamil music.
Just as the cultures, lifestyle and food differ vastly from our own, music for the Tamil/Telugu audience is vastly different from that of Mollywood.
I come from a very strenuous, strict, disciplined classical music background. My grandfather, noted Carnatic classical exponent Dr. Sripada Pinakapani, was a Padma Bhushan recipient.
Though there is such a rich tradition of culture and arts, I have never been invited to perform at a concert in South India.
The inner core of my being is Carnatic music.
From when I first started listening to music, M. S. Subbulakshmi has been one of my biggest influences. She poured her heart and life into everything she sang.
