January 8, 2018
Singer Shalmali Kholgade says the emergence of multiple music
festivals and growing number of live gigs in India is a positive sign for
independent musicians, but the public needs to stop seeking free passes.
Shalmali is known for songs like "Pareshaan", "Balam pichkari" and "Lat lag
gayee", and she also celebrates independent music along with her playback
singing career in Bollywood.
Asked whether the increasing number of music
festivals is a good sign for independent artistes, Shalmali told IANS: "Yes, the
music festivals are surely a positive sign for musicians to survive as show
organisers are creating a platform for us.
"But it needs more publicity
and appreciation in mainstream media. And as an artiste, I think our listeners
should buy tickets and attend our concerts. The practice of taking free passes
should be stopped."
At the same time, Shalmali feels ticket rates should
be low so that everyone can afford it.
"Everyone should make it a point
and a habit to buy tickets. I wish that along with promoting good music, all the
show organisers should also encourage the habit of buying tickets."
Shalmali has collaborated with the seventh edition of Royal Stag Barrel Select
MTV Unplugged. She says singing an unplugged rendition is a creative process
that she enjoys.
"Though it is a risk to experiment with an already
popular song that is loved by our listeners, I think there is something about
organic sound.
"You see, on a normal day if a singer takes his guitar and
starts stomping and singing, even though he is not performing to perfection, it
is human nature that tends to love that acoustic sound, the natural sound of the
instrument and voice... It always touches us somewhere. Therefore, when we are
creating an unplugged version of a song, we are already presenting it in a
positive light."