The unique, mellifluous voice behind famous Bollywood songs such as Mora Piya (Raajneeti), Ik Tara (Wake Up Sid) and Tumhi Ho Bandhu (Cocktail) is that of none other than Kavita Seth, who was at Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27, on Friday to promote her seventh solo album, Ek Din.
Kavita began her musical journey at the age of four, when she started accompanying her father to a dargah (Sufi Islamic shrine). “I think it was there that the seeds of good music were sown. I still remember telling my mom when I was young, to send me to Mumbai.
Her reply used to be, ‘No. If you’re lucky, your husband would encourage your talent after marriage.’ And, yes, I got lucky,” said Kavita, whose husband, KK Seth passed away in December 2011. “He brought me to Delhi after marriage, where I joined AIR (All India Radio), which paved the way for various live shows. It was during one of the live shows that I was spotted and called by Satish Kaushik to Mumbai. I did go in 2004, but there was the fear of not getting a chance and being misled.
That was the time when Lata ji and other big names ruled the industry, but still, I got my first movie, Vaada. After two years, Bhatt ji (Mahesh Bhatt) invited me to his camp and I sang the track, Mujhe Mat Roko for Gangster,” said Kavita and added, “Till today, when I perform live at IITs and IIMs, youngsters demand for this song to be sung, which is a great feeling.”
{{/usCountry}}That was the time when Lata ji and other big names ruled the industry, but still, I got my first movie, Vaada. After two years, Bhatt ji (Mahesh Bhatt) invited me to his camp and I sang the track, Mujhe Mat Roko for Gangster,” said Kavita and added, “Till today, when I perform live at IITs and IIMs, youngsters demand for this song to be sung, which is a great feeling.”
{{/usCountry}}When asked to define her voice, she said, “Hmm…husky, I guess. I know filmmakers want a husky voice for item songs, but that’s one genre I am not game for,” she added.
Kavita is a postgraduate in Hindustani classical music from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi, and began her training at the age of 11 under ND Sharma in the Gwalior gharana. “I have also trained under Patiala and Jaipur gharanas,” she shared.
Kavita also lent her voice for Frieda Pinto’s 2011 Hollywood film, Trishna. As of now, the singer is working on her next album (produced by her son) where she would sing Amir Khusro’s renditions that will be fused with trance music. “Kabir ji, Bulleh Shah and others have given us a treasure of words, which I plan to replenish through my albums,” she concluded.