Songs that are popular today are not really my kind of songs: Alka Yagnik

Alka Yagnik says she prefers live performances over playback singing these days; calls music of the ’90s “beautiful”.

Alka Yagnik has been part of the Hindi music industry for over three decades. Even today, she has audiences captivated with tracks such as ‘Agar tum saath ho’ (Tamasha; 2015). When she is not recording, Alka keeps herself busy with live concerts. She says they give her a “different high”.

Alka Yagnik says she prefers live performances over playback singing these days; calls music of the ’90s “beautiful”. (Yogen Shah/ HT Photo)

Out of all the music composers you have worked with so far, do you have a favourite, or someone you are most comfortable with?
I don’t think any singer can answer that question. You do not become comfortable with just one composer. You share a level of comfort with quite a few actually. I am fortunate, because I have had very good equations with most of the composers I have worked with, including Kalyanji-Anandji and Laxmikantji-Pyarelalji, from whom I learnt a lot. Although I was a little scared of them initially, and I would sit quietly and not say much [when I was with them], I have learnt a lot from them. I have also had a comfortable equation with composers who are my contemporaries, such as Jatin-Lalit, Anu Malik, Rajesh Roshan and Bappi da (Lahiri), among others. Then I worked with Himesh Reshammiya and AR Rahman. Everybody has a different style of working. You have to understand what they want in their songs, and what they are particular about. You just have to mould yourself as per their style. Then, there is no issue.

Read: Alka Yagnik’s niece, Garima, is also joining the music industry

You haven’t been taking up a lot of playback singing projects nowadays. Why is that?
I have become choosy. The songs that are popular today are not really my kind of songs, although I have sung a number of item songs, like ‘Ek do teen’ (Tezaab; 1988), which have been very successful. My style is more melodic and romantic. ‘Agar tum saath ho’ was a big hit because it was my type, and Rahman was particular that I sing it. It was a pleasure to sing that track.

Hear Alka Yagnik’s song Agar Tum Saath Ho

A few months back, you released a single with Gulzar. Do you think Indian audiences are now more open to listening to independent music?
You can’t pinpoint what the Indian audiences accept, and what they don’t. It’s just about what clicks. There is a lot of substandard work and many substandard artistes, who are famous today because they clicked with the audience for some reason.

A lot of reality TV show winners are not able to make a mark in the industry. Why do you think that is the case?
Many reality show participants have made a mark, but everybody can’t stand out. Each participant on a show, however good he or she may be, cannot be as successful as the other. I always say that reality shows do not guarantee success. They are big platforms to showcase your talents. But once the show is over, it’s about where life takes these participants. It depends on their hard work, their focus and many other aspects.

Agar Tum Saath Ho was a big hit because it was my type, and Rahman was particular that I sing it, says Alka Yagnik. (HT Photo)

Tell us more about your upcoming projects.
I am recording for a few films at the moment. But, so far, there is no particular song that I am really excited about. The ’90s were beautiful. The songs I got to sing during that decade were so beautiful; most of the songs today fail in comparison. I’m singing at a lot of concerts, which I never used to do earlier. I used to be very shy on stage. When I entered the music industry, I was a reserved person. Back then, people used to offer me a lot of live shows, but I would not do them. Gradually, I opened up. Now, I really enjoy performing at concerts. They give me such a different high.

Read: Digitisation can enhance your singing, not your skill: Alka Yagnik

Do you enjoy performing at live concerts more than playback singing?
These days, concerts are more enjoyable for me. That is because singers don’t do live recordings anymore. When we used to do live recordings, with the whole orchestra [back in the day], it used to be shaandaar (grand). But now, recordings are done in bits and pieces.