The Face: Priyanka doing the Darrrrrrrling in 7 Khoon Maaf

Rekha Bhardwaj is like her music — reflective and soulful. On the sidelines of Nihar Naturals Sananda Srimati in end-March, t2 caught up with her for a chat at ITC Sonar Calcutta.

How often have you come to Calcutta?

I came with my husband (Vishal Bhardwaj) in 1996 during the music release of Maachis. My son was nine months old then. We had gone to Darjeeling. I have also done a few shows here. This is my fourth or fifth performance in Calcutta. Performing in Calcutta is special as the listeners here are more sensitive. I was told, if you are accepted by the people of Calcutta, you will be accepted by the world. You have serious listeners here.

Who are your favourite musicians from here?

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore is my favourite. (Smiles.) I grew up listening to Tagore. When I was in Delhi most of our neighbours were Bengalis. We followed the Bengali culture quite closely. I used to go for Durga Puja. My mother used to wear shakha pala. I used to wear it too. I also like Haimanti Shukla’s songs. Then there is Geeta Roy (Dutt) and Usha Uthup. Bengal is full of talent. Satyajit Ray’s films are marvellous. He also did his own music. So it is an endless list.

The song Darling (7 Khoon Maaf) became a rage. How was the experience?

It was an enjoyable experience when I sang the first version. The second version was a bit of a struggle as I was travelling a lot and hardly got to do riyaaz, which for me is like ibadat (prayer). When I am out of practice it affects me. Nobody understands, but it does, inside. It was also a way of exploring what I can do. It was like crossing another hurdle.

Are you disappointed that the film did not do too well?

As a creative person he (Vishal Bhardwaj) said whatever he wanted to say. And the viewers reacted the way they had to. An artiste has to understand that there will be peaks and valleys in creative work. But you should feel happy about what you wanted to say as long as you believe in what you have done. Life does not end with one film or singing one song. You keep growing. So, you have to move on. I liked 7 Khoon Maaf. I have been part of the process since the beginning and we loved the film. We got great response at the Berlin International Film Festival. Not everyone likes what we like and vice versa. Everyone has different tastes.

Your first album was conceived in 1993, but it got made only in 2004. Why did it take so long?

In 1993, Vishal started composing Bulleh Shah’s poetry. During their music sessions when they were composing for Boodhe Pahadon Par and Maachis, they decided to do Bulleh Shah in our language. Then companies would not agree sometimes. We did a few ghazal albums that nobody took. In 2000, Vishal thought he will be able to put in money. He asked one of his friends, Krishnabhai, to put in the initial amount. If he wouldn’t have supported it, the album wouldn’t have taken off.

Wasn’t it very frustrating?

It was definitely frustrating. Since the music companies had backed out despite Gulzarsaab and Vishal being involved. They were supporting me because I had talent and not because I am Vishal’s wife. I used to do my riyaaz with more vigour and vengeance. Gulzarsaab and Vishal have taught me patience. I used to take out everything through my riyaaz. That taught me to express myself through music. Gulzarsaab says, “Have success on your own terms.”

There is a time for everything. Had I got success then, maybe I wouldn’t have explored a different side of me that could sing Namak ishq ka (Omkara). I would not have sung Ehi thaiyaa (Laaga Chunari Mein Daag) or Darling. I would have got stamped.

How important is success to you?

You do want to be recognised. We are no saints. But by the time Namak ishq ka got me success, I had reached a point where only music was important. As a musician, I don’t want to get into mediocrity. Having Tagore, Ray, Gulzarsaab and Vishal in our lives, if we don’t stick to quality, what’s the point of being an artiste?

Some of your best work has been with Vishal. Do you think he is the only one who knows how to utilise your unique voice? Why haven’t you worked with other music directors?

With Vishal, I get a tailor-made song. He is closest to me. He listens to me when I am doing my riyaaz. He is a composer who always thinks from a singer’s point of view. A.R. Rahman has explored a very good side of me. If Namak ishq ka gave me popularity, Genda phool (Delhi-6) took me to the heart of rural India. And with Ranjha ranjha (Raavan) and Darling it grew. For Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, I have sung a lullaby. With Himesh Reshammiya too, I got a nice melody. I have sung for Amit Trivedi and Sajid-Wajid. My best work obviously remains with Vishal because Gulzarsaab is there too. And for Rahman I would say, I have enjoyed working with him.

Vishal the husband/the director/ the music composer?

He was first a friend, then he became my lover and then my husband. With that came the music director and the filmmaker. I love him for his passion in whatever he does. I love his truthfulness, sincerity and sensitivity.

How do you contribute to Vishal’s creativity?

Sometimes we fight a lot. (Laughs out loudly). We don’t tell lies to each other. We give each other our unbiased opinions.

Item numbers/romantic numbers/ pure classical numbers?

I love singing whatever comes my way. It is the melody and the notes. For me music is ibadat. I just love singing. I will not sing something that is derogatory. With Gulzarsaab you cannot get derogatory.