Apart from using it to spread the word about my translation company Blue Elephant and to talk to fans, I find social media an extremely powerful forum for charity.
Chinmayi
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.
To be honest, until I started dubbing, I didn't realize the amount of work of a dubbing artiste puts in. Especially the artistes that dub for villains. They really stretch their vocal cords to a different dimension.
When I was offered to sing 'Tere Bina' in 'Guru' by A. R. Rahman sir, it was a surreal experience. The song clicked, and many composers took notice of me and my work then.
I was brought up by my mother, and she is my guru in classical singing. I have trained primarily under her.
Lekha Washington is a very successful, award-winning product designer, and her company has made some fantastic products in the past few years. Comments from some men calling her 'failure' makes me laugh, really.
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.
There is a myth that Rahman sir only works at night. He works through the day and night, so it depends what time slot you end up working with him. Besides nights, I have sung for him in the morning and at noon, too. I think he's the first composer to work at night, and that's why it's spoken about so much.
I got recognised for my work in 'Guru' as 'Tere Bina' became extremely popular, but very few people know that I have sung major lyrical portions of the song 'Maiyya' as well.
Of course making money and being able to live life the way one desires is important.
I feel blessed that I got an opportunity to work with the likes of A. R. Rahman, Vishal-Shekhar among others.
The truth is, I have an excellent team, a staff that handles Blue Elephant, my translation company, perfectly. It is like a well-oiled machine.
I will safely say that I prefer singing a song in a stretch if I am allowed to. A lot of times, I do choose to and do sing the asthayi and antara in one take, respectively. And I give a few takes until I feel it is perfect.
The MGR Sivaji awards are organised by the PRO stalwarts in the industry whom I actually respect.
I am a trained singer in Hindustani and classical music.
I started a company in 2005 for language services called Blue Elephant. We handle translation and interpretation services in over 120 languages.
I am grateful to Rahman sir. There is no way I can repay the graces he has extended to me by making me sing his compositions.
Of all my dubbing projects, the toughest one has been 'Eega!'
Rahman sir has a sweet sense of humour. He chuckles a lot and is very friendly.
I have been dubbing since 2006.
Bollywood has a pretty chilled out approach. For instance, we don't wear shoes inside the studio. There is a strict behavioural protocol to be followed in the regional studios, while here in Bollywood, it is more informal.
Every time I meet Rahman sir, it's a fan moment for me. I don't take the fact that I am working with him lightly. I get excited every time I see and work with him. But I don't embarrass him.
I love baking.
As for song recordings - well, that's something that just happens. I've been working with music directors like Harris Jeyaraj sir, A. R. Rahman sir, and the experience is great.
There is mental as well as physical fatigue. You have to cry, scream, keep on repeating the same dialogue till you get it right.
A dubbing artiste does a lot of repair work for an artiste who doesn't naturally speak the language they are acting in.
A song like 'Kilimanjaro,' which is such a fun, entertaining track... Singing the song was an amazing experience.
It is difficult to have the guts to speak up about any kind of sexual assault.
To me 'Varayo' is a special song, not just because it has given me seven awards so far, but the experience of singing with Unnikrishnan ji.
At the end of the day, I am singing the composer's creation, and I follow the instructions given to me. What I feel may be a right take may not work for the composer or his vision on how he thinks the song should sound.
I agree that when you sing for Bollywood, the reach is bigger. But I don't want to concentrate on any industry in particular.
I like the continuity of singing my lines together instead of going line by line.
I'd rather not be called 'brave.'
No singer who sings for Rahman sir would ever say they were nervous to sing for him, especially during the session.
It is quite normal these days to record a song in the absence of the composer.
Women know when a man touches them inappropriately. Hugging one man doesn't mean it is an invitation. Wearing nail polish isn't an invitation.
There's a marked difference between a sexual predator, coercion tactics, and a man hitting on someone with the intention dating/wanting to get to know a girl he likes, however awkward, unpolished it may be.
I love challenges.
Firstly, I'd say that A. R. Rahman sir is one of the biggest influences in my life. He's given me some great numbers, and I've looked at him for inputs many a time with regards to my career.
I do more singing than dubbing.
I have won many awards for my singing, and I have sung in 8 languages.
A man might actually brush off vulgar tweets that come to him. Women are likely to be affected by it.
As a teen, I enjoyed Sufi music and ghazals the most. But as my career began, I drifted off to playback and other streams over the years.
I'd rather not have to come face to face with predators. I'd rather not be harassed. But no. Those weren't my choices to make, were they?
Music inspires me, and I'm grateful that I've been able to make a career out of something that I'm so connected to.
Few years ago when I visited a palliative care centre in Chennai for the first time, it completely moved me. It's an emotionally draining experience. I saw and met patients who were abandoned by their families, and there is complete sense of hopelessness. Ever since, I have been a supporter for the need for funding and awareness of palliative care.
I have sung all the songs in '96,' and I have dubbed for the film as well.
Also, there is a way I like to lead my life, which would adhere to certain norms. Anything that goes beyond that is not my purview.
It was one of the best experiences in my life to work with Director Prem.
Indians take great pleasure in celebrating a genius, and then go into mindless criticism once the celebrity starts doing well.
