from Daijworld's special correspondent Ares
Pics Rajtilak Naik in Panaji

Panaji, Dec 21: Hema Sardesai entered the world of music at the tender age of six with her tiny footsteps. Her live performance at the popular Navratri Festival, when she was hardly eight, was in fact a stepping-stone to her entry in music world. "I do not belong to the family of traditional singers," once she had said.

The deep-throated singer won her first singing accolade at the age of 11, when she was placed first at the all-Goa singing competition.

Born in Mumbai and brought up in Goa, this girl with a golden voice not only proved her versatility in India but also abroad. She graduated with honours in Indian classical music, besides nurturing her passion for western pop music.

Hema's perseverence catapulted her to the international league, and she achieved a rare honour. She won a Grand Prix in a German music competition of international repute.

"My milestone achievement is the solo song Awaara Bhavarein in film Sapnay which was the only Hindi filmi song in 1997 to remain on the number one position on almost every countdown." she told.

She sang many songs in many languages but the songs which she sang for Hindi films, hit the market such as Hulle Hulle, Tere Mere Sapne, Piyo O piya, Aisi Wasi Baat Nahin, Sona Sona, Jaanam Samjha Karo, Jungle hai Abhi Raat Hai, Ishq chandi hai and etc.

"In fact, the revolution in the music industry has given a chance to many people like me to display their talents" says Hema, while tossing her flowing hairs to most of them, it provides bread and butter. However, the element of vulgarity in the video albums should be discouraged. This poses a great threat to our Indian culture, she opines.
 
Her voice for popular jingles for selling products such as a Liril, Ponds and etc. had made her "most wanted person" in the advertising field. She has successfully performed on TV and live stage shows all over India, as well as the world over.

By singing not only Indian classical and western pop but also folk music, rhythm and blues, Hip Hop fusion etc, she has proved her versatility beyond doubt. She has established herself not only as a playback singer but also as a pop singer too. Wherever (state national or international level) and whenever she participated in the music contest, she always topped.

Perhaps August 14, 1977 was the most memorable day of her life, when she was given the honour to perform at India’s 50th year of Independence celebrations" at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi. There she sang a song composed by Louis Banks and herself, titled Mein Kaunsa Geet Sunaun, describing the greatness of "Mother India."

Other than Lata Mangeshkar, she was the only female singer chosen to sing for the country that day. Her star appearances on well known TV shows such as Close-up Antakshari, TVS Saregama, Star Yaar Kalakaar, Public demand etc attracted the hundreds of music lovers.

Her private album Piye Se Milka Aaye Nain released during the Navratra 99 was among the hottest selling albums in India.

A R Rahman chose her for 'Awara bhanwre' from 'Sapnay', and Hema's voice electrified the whole country. All it took was one magical song to fuelher musical career.

Since then, Hema has been a significant presence on the music scene, enriching individual numbers with her rich voice. She has drenched the soundtrack of 'Yaadein' with her superior rendition of 'Eli re eli', proving that she is one singer who will always remain in the reckoning. Major films she sang for were Pardes (1997), Pukar (2000) and  Asoka (2001).

Another event memorable for her was her performance along with Europe’s famous pop star Whig Field at the prestigious Lux Zee Cine Awards in March 1998. Hema was the only Indian playback singer chosen to perform that day.

She earned the nickname of Indian Nightingale at the 16th International Pop Song competition 89 held in Germany, representing India in a gathering of singers from 20 countries.

My hard work and God’s blessings have helped me to achieve whatever I have", says Hema with firm confidence. Her latest popular album Hindustani Gudiya also touched the number one position on top music countdown programmes.
 
Bollywood singer Hema Sardesai will soon don the hat of a lyricist as she is busy penning lyrics inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and sufi music.

"I am working on two albums. Both will be released simultenously in the market somewhere middle next year. For Sufi album, the lyrics are Urdu blended Hindi-Punjabi, while Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living album is completely devotional," Hema told in an interview at her Goa residence.

Strongly inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Hema said that the `Guruji' endowed her feelings that everybody should rise above caste, creed and religion. "I had those feelings right from childhood, my Guru endowed it further," she said.

"Art of Living has several albums but for the first time a playback and pop singer would be singing it," Hema, who herself would be singing for the album said.

Hema, who has sung several hits including 'awara bhavre' feels that her shift as a lyricist is the way out for her inner talents.

"Lyrics is also an art. It's a part of my talent. My first professional attempt for poetry turned into a platinum jubilee," Hema said talking about her album 'Love Me' released in 1994. "After that album I did few more lyrics. It was English version of songs from `Maine Pyar Kiya' which made record sales all over south America and west Indian countries," she recalls.

Hema had also written a song named `My first day in America' in the movie `Pardes.' About her Sufi album, Hema says that the album is unique as four person from different religion -- Hycinth D'souza, Najakat Ali, Raja along with her -- are working on it.

"Sufi music always carries a spiritual touch," she said stating that the album would be a spiritual one with a mix of Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.

After donning caps of a singer, lyricist and composer, Hema is also trying her hand with film making. Getting trained under able guidence of Bapu Sarvagod in Mumbai, Hema aims to do a film on Goa.

"Let's see how it works but I intend doing a film on Goa. At this juncture I can't tell you much about the film as it is just an idea," she said.

On her Bollywood assignments, Hema said that she has done few songs with Ismail Durbar and Himesh Reshmiyya which would be out soon.