The cover of the album

Guwahati, Aug. 1: Shaleena had always wanted to be a singer. But the Bangalore-based Wipro employee had never imagined that her first album would be in Assamese.

Married to an Assamese IT professional, Sujit Goswami, Malayalee bowari (daughter-in-law) Shaleena Goswami’s debut album Probhati Pokhi has turned out to be a surprise hit. “Most singers cut their first album in their mothertongue but circumstances gave me a different launch pad. I am happy that my first album is in Assamese,” said Shaleena over phone from Bangalore.

A disciple of the award-winning playback singer Yesudas, Shaleena’s album also features a duet with ghazal singer Roop Kumar Rathod.

While the music of the album is by Bhupen Uzir, Jimoni Choudhury, Ibson Baruah, Bhupen Uzir, Putimoni Hazarika, Dilip Bora and Shiva Prasad Baruah have composed the lyrics.

Asked if she faced any problems singing in a language that was not her own language, Shaleena said, “In fact, I enjoyed singing all the songs. I must say Assamese is not only a sweet language, but is quite easy to pick up even for someone who is not from the state. I had no problems learning the nuances of pronunciation either.” The debutante is very excited about the Bihu-based number Dekhisu aaji.., written by Shiva Prasad Baruah. “I am quite accustomed to Bihu songs because of my husband’s inclination for that genre of music,” she said.

Out of the eight songs in the album, six are solos by Shaleena, one is by Rathod and the other is the duet by Shaleena and Rathod.

“Shaleena has a unique voice ... which suited all the songs of the album,” said Pranjal Kumar Das of S.S. Productions — the company that produced the album. “The fresh and melodious voice is the USP of the album,” he added.

The album also brings together some of the finest talents in the Assamese music industry, including tabla player Pawan Bordoloi and flautist Dipak Sharma.

Enthused by the warm response that the album has received, S.S. Productions has now decided to give an opportunity to young talented singers from across the country to realise their dreams.