Singer Suvarna Tiwari, who is known for her songs in High Jack, Mulk, Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi has crooned two songs for the upcoming biopic, PM Narendra Modi, that got caught into the whirlwind owing to the credit row.
Suvarna, who started learning singing from the age of seven, got an opportunity to sing the recreated version of Ishwar Allah, which was originally sung by AR Rahman for the 1999 movie, 1947 Earth.
In an exclusive interview, the singer shares her experience of singing the already famous song, music director Hitesh Modak, crooning for the entire background score, upcoming projects and more.
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Can you tell us about ‘Ishwar Allah’?
There are certain sequences in the film, PM Narendra Modi, where they wanted a song that talks about humanity as a religion and hence this song came up. There are three original lines, composed by Hitesh Modak and written by Luv Rajji rest is original composition of AR Rahman and lyrics by Javed Akhtar have been retained. Apart from singing Ishwar Allah, I have a very small singing portion in another song Namo Namo from the film. You will also hear my voice in the entire background of PM Narendra Modi.
How did this opportunity land in your kitty?
I have earlier worked on different songs with Hitesh Modak (music director of PM Narendra Modi) . He called me as he wanted to try my voice on this song. My first trial went exactly like the one they wanted in the final song. Also, a lot from the first trial was retained in the final take.
How challenging was it to croon a song already sung by a legend?
Rahman sir is a legend and our inspiration. All the musicians look up to him, both, for the kind of music he does and the person he is. So, singing a song, already sung by him, was challenging as he has set a bar, but it was also a good opportunity. You need to have that potential to be able to pull it off. According to me, when you are singing a very good composition, it gets much easier to connect with it, dress as well as garnish, embrace it. Also, the outcome is good when the composition is good.
Do you think people will love the song?
I am already getting a very good response for the song. The makers have also put up the making video featuring me along with other artists to create a buzz. T-Series’ head Bhushanji was very happy apart from our producer Sandeep and music director Hitesh Modak. I have also received a lot of messages from people. But, what I like the most among the comments received was people saying, ‘this touched our soul.’ I have actually read a lot of reviews of the song, which also says the same thing, which is lovely to hear.
When did you realise that you were meant to sing?
I am not from a musical background. But, when I was very young, my mom wanted me to learn singing because she would hear me sing some unheard song while revolving around a stick. Mom was a part of a spiritual organisation, where they would sing bhajans. I would therefore watch people singing there. So, when I was around seven, my mom got me a teacher and that’s how it started. I am trained in Indian classical music. Besides, my uncle is also into music.
How has your musical journey in Bollywood been so far?
It has been nice. 2018 was lovely because I debuted with the song, Prabhu Ji for the Bollywood film, High Jack. There were two versions. I did one of them. My version was used in the film. Later, I sang Thenge Se for Anumbhav Sinha’s Mulk. Although the music was not promoted that much, the song did very well and my work was acknowledged. I had dubbed Happy Bhaag Jayegi much before. I had sung a small portion alongside Dalerji and Harshdeep for the song. But Ishwar Allah was a huge song for me because these days, there is only one verse in a song, but they allowed me to sing two verses, which is a good singing space for a singer.
What are your upcoming projects?
I have a lot of film songs, which might release in a span of two months. I am also working on a lot of independent songs, my friends are designing for me, one of which is a folk song. But, I am yet to start working on them. Besides, there are a lot of things, I have recorded. I am looking forward to everything that comes my way.
Don’t you find melody missing from the current songs?
Melody has nothing to do with the sound as the latter enhances the former.To have a good melody, we have to give more time. It is neither ours nor Bollywood’s mistake for melody to be missing because people want to roll on things, which are not melodious. It’s the need of time. Wherever, you go, there is a demand for party songs, so Bollywood is producing them. Musicians have a lot of good music to give and if they start producing melodious music only, we will have a very musical India. But, we supply based on the demand. Hence, if you demand for good music, we will give you one.
How promising do you think the current independent music scene is?
I am glad that independent music scene in India is going good. I hope that it does well for all the artists. I still feel Bollywood is much bigger platform till date because there are a lot of charming, things involved. This is why people cannot go beyond Bollywood as far as music is concerned. But, I am pretty sure that independent scene is creeping up, which is good.
What would you choose between Indian classical music and Bollywood?
I would prefer good songs, wherever it comes from, be it independent music or Bollywood. It has to have the best of the lyrics, engineering, production etc. If film songs allow me to work on songs like Ishwar Allah, I would be more than happy.
