Palak Muchhal, the bubbly singer from Indore who has made a mark at 25 with chartbusters like Chahun main ya naa (Aashiqui 2), Jumme ki raat (Kick) and Baatein yeh kabhi na (Khamoshiyan), is coaching kids not much younger than her — in the seven-14 age group — along with Papon, Shaan and Himesh Reshammiya on Season 2 of The Voice India Kids. t2 tunes in to the girl with a golden voice...
 
People may know you as a singer but you deserve as much acclaim for your charity work. How did that start?

I started singing when I was two-and-a-half. My mom used to read out the newspaper for me. When she said that people were contributing for Kargil War victims, I asked her if I too could do something. She found that cute and said yes. I went to the shops in my locality, singing Ae mere watan ke logon and managed to collect Rs 25,000. Since then, I was on the lookout for people I could help. This seven-year-old kid, Lokesh, from a local school needed money for surgery. I planned to hold five-six so-called concerts on the street, standing on a vendor’s cart. At the first spot itself, I collected the entire amount needed. 

Back then I had to sing for three hours to raise money for one child. Now that my songs are getting popular, the rates of my concerts are going higher and I can support 17-18 children from the proceeds of one. So far, my foundation has funded 1,287 surgeries.

Was there any music in your family?

My father liked to listen to music. The first song I sang on stage was Chal ri sajni ab kya soche (Bombai Ka Babu). When I was four, I used to come to Mumbai twice a month from Indore to train in classical music under Pandit Satyanarayan Mishraji and practise at home. I also started learning Urdu. My family has always been very supportive. They allowed me to donate whatever I earned. 

How did you become part of Kalyanji-Anandji’s Little Stars? 

Anandji uncle had come to Indore to receive an award. My mamma used to always dress me up cutely. He noticed me from stage and casually asked my parents to bring me to Mumbai for Little Stars. When we met him there, I was taken in his team. I travelled across the world and learnt a lot. 

When you came to Bollywood, did anyone know about your charity work?

I came to Mumbai prepared to struggle. Among the few people I approached for work was Rumi Jaffery uncle, the director (of the Salman Khan-starrer God Tussi Great Ho) and writer. He introduced me to Salman Khan Sir, who was aware of my social work. I sang Lambi judaai. The moment I finished, Salman Khan said: ‘You are soon going to sing for my film’. Ek Tha Tiger (2012) was my first break. He also got me to sing in Veer. He led me on this smooth road. I did not have to struggle. He told me about the good things and bad things in the industry. I got Aashiqui 2 after that and endless songs in a short while. 

But Himesh Reshammiya always says that he launched you…

I sang my first song with him in Damadamm! (in which Himesh himself starred) but I had a few lines, just the sargam. My first proper song was Laapata in Ek Tha Tiger. 

What advice do you give to the participants of The Voice India Kids?

My parents made sure that I never did more than three shows a month. I had to preserve my voice if I had to become a singer. I tell the kids that yes, there is a competition to be won but there is no point in going overboard with practice. That strains your voice. Parents often don’t understand that.

You have been a judge on Zee Bangla’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. How different will be the experience of being a coach here on this show?

It was a great experience. Even there, I was the youngest among the judges and got pampered. But I am more comfortable being a coach than a judge. Bachchon ko judge karna possible nahin. Here my role is to teach and encourage the kids and pass on what I have learnt. The best thing about The Voice India Kids is the blind auditions (where the judges sit with their backs to the contestants till they are convinced about their voice and press the buzzer). When you listen to the voice you don’t have to bother about the personal background or the appearance of the performer. All you care about is the voice. 

Each composer must be having his strong point...

You are so right. Every song recording is a learning experience. Himeshji taught me patience. Par koi singer agar ek line pe atkaa ho, he will sing the line 200 times to make him understand. Mithoonji gives full liberty to the singer and focuses on expressions. Jeet Gannguli Sir has strong melody and stresses on that. Sajid and Wajid Sir push me to get out of my shell. A singer should surrender to the composer. 

Neeti Mohan, a coach in the last season, had shared with t2 how she was made to dress as an opera singer while recording an opera for Bombay Velvet. Any such experiences?

Yes! The chicken song in Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Salman Sir knew that I am a hardcore vegetarian. He intentionally wanted me to sing a non-veg waala song! (Laughs) Pritam Sir called me at night saying: ‘Palak, iss mein bhari bharkam non-veg words hai (Sample this… Thodi biryani bukhari/ Thodi nalli nihari/ Le aao, aaj dharam bhrasht ho jaye). Tum gaogi kya?’ I was initially very hesitant. Then Salman Sir told me: ‘It’s a challenge for you. You have to behave like a performer’. It was so difficult but I did it somehow.

Earlier, singers did not have to bother about how they looked. Now you all have to look like rock stars. Is that a bother?

They had such strong voices. Not that I am demeaning the talent today. Now exposure is a lot more. If you are on TV, you have to look presentable. On social media, people comment on every aspect. It is our responsibility to look good and be fit. As a girl, I love dressing up. 

You have done playback in Bengali films. 

Yes. Quite a few songs with Jeet Sir are about to release. I also did a Puja song (Prithibi ektai desh, the Suruchi Sangha 2016 theme song). The lyrics were written by Mamataji (Banerjee). I have met her many times. She calls me “Palawk”.

Sudeshna Banerjee
(The Voice India Kids airs Saturday-Sunday 9pm on &TV)