I was an Indian in my last birth: Morissette

Seven time Grammy winner Canadian singer Alanis Morissette is so hooked on India that she plans to get married in this country.

Canadian singer Alanis Morissette is so hooked on India that she plans to get married in this country, and thinks she was an Indian in her previous birth.

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"I don't know this strange connection I have with India. I guess I was an Indian boy or girl in my last birth," Morissette said.

She was in Mumbai for the MTV Immies ceremony on December 10.

The winner of seven Grammies whose Jagged Little Pill sold seven million copies in 1995, Morissette said she hoped to collaborate with Indian rap singers.

"The Indian notes and scales are very intriguing for an artist from the West like me," she said.

Morissette also lamented on missing out meeting Mother Teresa. "I always had the desire to meet her," she said.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q:There is buzz that you are getting married in India; is it true or just a rumour?
Alanis: I think it is a great idea! I don't think it will be possible this time, but I'm sure I would like to come back here and get married. As of now my fiancé and I plan to spend our Christmas in Bali. I love India, so I'm sure I will be back here. I don't know this strange connection I have with India. I guess I was an Indian boy or girl in my last birth.

Q: Are you fond of Indian food?
Alanis: A lot! I love Indian food, it is the best!

Q: What are your plans in India after the MTV gig?
Alanis: After this concert I plan to stay for a few days in Dharamsala as that is a beautiful place with snowline, culture and Indian tradition. I also will be going to Kerala as that is yet another exotic destination of India where I wish to spend time peacefully.

Q: During your earlier visit, which places did you visit?
Alanis: The last time was in 1998, just after Jagged Little Pill. I was trying to step away from everything that was Western at that time. So I was trying to concentrate on spirituality and the culture and tradition of India. I had been to Bodh Gaya, Kolkata, Varanasi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Mysore.

Q: Would you like to collaborate with any Indian musicians?
Alanis: Yes, I would love to. In fact I want to collaborate with some rap musicians first. I have been hearing a lot of Indian music, but somehow I don't remember the names of the artistes that I listen to. While I'm here in India, I plan to pick a lot of Indian CDs. The Indian notes and scales are very intriguing for an artiste from the West like me.

Q: In one of your songs you sang Thank you India. Was that the reflection of your visit to India?
Alanis: I often tell my friends that I feel at home when I'm in India and that's why I still feel that in my past life I was born here. I enjoy everything about this country - the food, the culture and the people. The eye contact of people in India is lot less scary as compared to the West.

Q: You have said in a previous interview that you wanted to meet Mother Teresa.
Alanis: Yes, I always had the desire to meet her. I had called her from Los Angeles and spoken to one of the sisters in Kolkata who said she would arrange the meeting. But when I came to know she was not well, I told them not to trouble her. The next morning she passed away. But I did visit her place in Kolkata as I was very touched by her work.