If she devotes all her time to business, people would expect her to live up to her illustrious dad’s name (yes, that name happens to be Kumar Mangalam Birla). If she decides to make a career out of her passion, there would always be critics pinning her fortunes to an illustrious surname. But Ananya Birla doesn’t care. She has decided to follow her heart.
After making her debut with the song Livin’ The Life, the 23-year-old is back with another single, Meant To Be (Universal Music). “I’d like to believe that my music-making process is a journey of self-discovery,” says the founder of Svatantra Microfinance (an initiative to help create rural entrepreneurs), Mpower (an initiative to empower people dealing with mental health disorders) and CuroCarte (an online lifestyle platform bringing together makers of handmade goods and collectors of luxury from around the world).
Excerpts from her chat with t2.
Tell us about your journey from e-commerce platform CuroCarte and the microfinance start-up Svatantra Microfinance to music...
I used to gig in London during my days at university, and there was this moment when I was singing and people were busy doing their own thing, when I realised that I loved it so much that anything else around me didn’t really matter. That’s the moment when I decided to take the plunge and follow my passion and love for music. I have always been musically inclined, whether it’s been playing the santoor from a young age or writing poetry that has now evolved into songwriting. So, I wouldn’t really call it a focus shift, but just pursuing a career path I am passionate about. I still very much lead the businesses, but my role is more strategic than operational now, since they both have reached a point of maturity, stability, the teams are in place and are great!
So you are ready with your second single Meant To Be. Musically, it’s different from the first release, Livin’ The Life...
I think everyone has moments in their life where they feel like certain events were Meant To Be. While the lyrics of this song pertain to love, there is a much deeper, underlying meaning to it. Sound-wise, it is more of a track you would lounge to while Livin’ The Life is one which people may dance to at a nightclub. There is a lot more of ‘me’ in this track, and the sound. I am learning with every step.
How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound... in the field of electro pop. A combination of deep yet simple lyrics coupled with easy beats.
Tell us about working with producer Jim Beanz (who has produced for Shakira, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears) on the first single and now with Anders Froen (producer-songwriter for Sia, Alan Walker, Jessie J)!
They both have been great to work with and I have learnt a lot from both experiences. They’ve been super supportive creatively, and it has been great collaborations. An artiste tends to get more creative control after their debut. The first song is more about the producer’s vision, and over time that changes and evens out with that of the artiste.
Isn’t it tough to market English songs back to the West?
Yes it is a challenge but I have already started getting so much love, that I won’t let anyone down. The beauty of music is that it is a universal language. I truly believe it knows no boundaries of any kind. Nothing comes easy, and who doesn’t love a challenge!
While scrolling the Facebook feed, there have been some negative comments about your first single. Is it easy to accept criticism as a newcomer?
It’s all about perspective. There’s going to be all kinds of comments to anyone who is in the public eye but for me, it’s focusing on making a difference. So even if one person is smiling or dancing to my music, I feel I’m on the right track. It’s most important to focus on the love and I feel blessed for all the love that’s coming in.
Family name: responsibility, motivation or deterrent?
I look at it as family, just like anyone else!
What was your dad’s first reaction when you said you will be recording music?
My parents have always been very supportive. Whenever any of them says they are proud of me… that’s the highlight of my day!
AB, AT A GLANCE
Age: 23
Parents: Kumar Mangalam Birla and Neerja Birla
Based in: Mumbai
Education: Economics and management from University Of Oxford
Entrepreneurial ventures: Svatantra Microfinance, Mpower and CuroCarte
The other side to AB: She has released two singles, Livin’ The Life and Meant To Be. She is the first Indian artiste to be released on PM:AM Recordings which is home to Tiesto, Alesso and Afrojack, among others
Mathures Paul
