Singing about freedom

Q&A: Shubha Mudgal

Shubha Mudgal says that an artiste’s freedom of expression is paramount and is frightened of its being curbed. What if someone protests against Kabir ke dohe next? she asks Neha Bhatt

Do you stop to think about freedom? How do you perceive freedom?
Anybody who values life values freedom. It comes naturally. Not just politically but in every sphere of life. And freedom is extremely important to an artist. I have no problem if there is a rock concert somewhere and people want to listen to it. The diversity of our country should be embraced.

How does freedom find meaning in music?
It’s a complex process to put down in words. But it’s similar to learning a language. How one would take classes, learn the vocabulary and after years of training, gain mastery over it. It’s a craft. Like writing is to you. Music works similarly. Also, there has to be an inbuilt talent for it, an inner chemistry.

As an artiste, in your daily life what curbs your freedom of expression?
When freedom of expression of an artiste is attacked, as it has been happening so often, it’s frightening. When an artist is told how to paint and what not to paint, our freedom of expression is being taken away. Who knows? Next they might protest when we sing Kabir ke dohe and claim we are hurting somebody’s sentiments.

The younger generation has been able to relate to your music. Do you think the youth find it difficult to understand classical music and it needs to be moulded in a way that will appeal to them?
Well, no. There is something about every kind of music that appeals to people. One can’t sugar-coat classical music and sell it as pop. That would be hypocrisy. When I sing Indipop, there is a classical accent to it and that’s what I can give the younger generation. One cannot force it on anyone, but there should be exposure to it in its original form.

You recently released an album, Swadheenta Samar Geet. Any other album in the wings?
I’m getting old, I can’t bring out an album that often. Plus, I think one should wait a while before releasing the next album to avoid repeating oneself.

So what kind of music do you like listening to off hours?
Apart from classical music, I have a lot of Latin and jazz on my iPod. I prefer old jazz. I love artistes like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. I’m connected to the world music network.