March 22, 2017
Singer Neha Bhasin says folk music is like an old recipe, and it should be
passed on to the future generations.
Bhasin is trying to do the same with
her renditions to Punjabi folk songs like "Madhaniya", "Akh kashni", "Laung
gawacha", "Nai jaana" and the latest "Chitta kukkad".
"I feel like folk
music is almost like an old recipe that is passed on from generation to
generation. It is our culture, no matter how far the borders change, because it
is what keeps you rooted and connected to our core DNA," Bhasin told IANS.
"So even when these old Punjabi songs are sung by different singers over
generations, they are still with us by that common emotional thread running
through it over the years. And above all, its amazing how the entire country
responds to that emotional connect and thus that music," she added.
Which
one is her favourite rendition?
"It's really very difficult to pick one.
Each rendition has some connection that I am very attached to. But if I
absolutely had to pick one -- it would be a close tie between 'Madhaniya and
'Chitta kukkad'.
"Both are very emotional for me, especially 'Madhaniya',
which has a deep connect in my heart from my family, my mother to me leaving
home at a very early age. It was sung at my sisters 'vidai'. It's a song that
really stirs my soul."
The "Jag ghoomeya" hitmaker thanks her team for
supporting her.
"All thanks to the fabulous team I have. Prayrit Seth, my
director has worked with me on most of my songs and videos. It's a very organic
process for him and me to conceptualise and brainstorm on how to present our
work. We listen to a song and see what it connects best with," she said.
Explaining the process of recreating the song, she said: "Because I grew up
listening to and watching loads of pop/pop rock videos, I'm very influenced by
the 1990s. So, I always want to find a way to include that visual within that
quintessential artistic form, thereby connecting the traditional vibe and the
modern sound.
"Amidst that, we also like to create a contrast in our
videos to include elements creating a pop new age vibe interwoven with an old
retro zing. I love fashion and he loves stylised videos, so we both live our
fantasies through these beautiful videos."