Hema Sardesai : God's favourite Child

She is like the first shower of Mumbai rain.Joyous, incessant and simply delirious with joy. It is my pleasure to introduce you guys to the dream world of singer Hema Sardesai. "I love to love and be loved in return. If I give myself to something, I do it completely," she says. Infact, love happens to be the theme of most of her songs. Sajna, her latest private album isn't different either. For she can be seen-n-heard unleashing gentle emotions for that 'someone special' in the videos serenading the enviable small screen these days.

Sajna is Hema's second album with Delhi based producer-composer Jawahar Wattal. Their earlier outing Piya se milke aaye nain... was a hit. Check out her views on working with Quincy Jones of the capital. "It is always a lovely experience working with Jawahar. He is extremely caring towards his artists. The trip to Delhi, discussions in his studio, working upon new ideas and experimentation is something I always treasure." It is interesting to note that Hema has herself co-composed and written one of the tracks Aaja Baalam in this album.

Well, agreed, Piya se milke aaye nain was a decent product. But was an attempt to counter the stupendous success of Dandia Queen Falguni Pathak? "In a way it is true. The company had that intention. But I wouldn't want to take away the credit from Falguni who has done exceedingly well for herself. The product was released to satiate the appetite for the Navratri crowd and it succeeded in doing the same as well. Piya se...is my highest selling album till date," she confesses.

The response to her latest release seems to be good as well. But it is difficult to say whether it will do better than her earlier ventures or not. But for that, later. As for now, let's move into even more familiar territories. You couldn't have missed out Kajol sashaying in the film Sapnay, while flying delectably with nonchalant Awaara Bhanvre. And the intoxicated-with-verve-voice, that transports you to a dream world, was none other than that of Hema Sardesai.

"I was totally surprised when I got a call from .AR Rehman asking me to render a song for a film. When I went to Chennai I met this extremely down-to-earth person who is an exceptionally good composer. It was a memorable experience. Now, the posterity just as-well may remember me as the voice behind Aawara Bhanvre," she says. It is definitely a good song! And besides the composition, the lyrics are top class as well.

Hema lays a lot of importance to the lyrics of a song. "A well written song is automatically going to be sung with much more feelings as well." Apparently she enjoys writing. For, besides writing a song for her own album, she's also written the lyrics of -besides singing it obviously-My first day in America... in Subhash Ghai's Pardes.

Time to fill you up with a few more facts. This petite singer has spent most part of her childhood in Goa, and still loves to frequent the gorgeous state. She considers Goa to be an extension of Mumbai. "It is merely an hour away from Mumbai!"she quips.The Goan influence in her music is more than obvious; the pitch she uses, the nubile orgasmic passion in her vocals and a sheer zest for life, are all hard core Goan!

It is interesting to note that many of her well known numbers are high pitched and have a western tinge attached to them, apparent in songs like Ishq chaandi hai, ishq sona hai, Jaanam Samjha karo, Toofan ki raat and the latest Bas itna sa khwaab hai. "I don't think that they are really western. The style is western all right but the feel is very earthy, very Indian. Infact I think my western side has still not been tapped so far. Piya se milke aaye...., Sajna, my songs in Astitva and Daman are absolutely Indian as well. So it is unfair to bracket me as a singer suiting the western mode of singing," she says.

Well, it is rather funny but she doesn't really remember the names of many of the films that she has recently sung for. "I just sing the song, finish my job and switch myself off. A few favourite numbers do stay though." You can check out her vocal prowess in flicks like Pyaasa, Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke, Indian, Yaadein and many more (she obviously doesn't remember the movie names beyond this) in the days to come.

This is the most interesting part of the interview. And I shall treat you to a medley of her random thoughts. She simply excels in it! I hope you have a bizarre time going through it, for I had my share, while she graciously doled out this non-stop booty to me. So, just feast on this: "I love to perform. It is euphoric! Just imagine laughing, joking and chatting with over twenty thousand people. It is real fun. I hug them, dance with them, and give myself away completely. I am an everything person i.e. If I give, then I do it completely. Like, I smile completely. I love to dance. It can be in a discotheque or even at home just by myself. I just like having fun. I love to chill out. I hope never to grow up, except in my music. I think I am a perfect blend of modernity and tradition. Some parents say that their kids idolise me. Or, in other words, I have become a role model. I need to be more responsible in my actions due to that. I really feel for the society. And do you know... one day I would want to be the Prime Minister of this country. Now, don't ask me why be the Prime Minister! The reason is simple: If you want to weed out the dirt from the bottom, then you need to be at the top. I like Vajpayeeji a lot. I think I am God's spoilt child. For I just leave everything to him. And he pampers me, and takes care of me wonderfully. I owe everything to him......."

I can assure you there's much more, but these are a few basic highlights of our conversation. I have always liked her as a singer, but talking to her made me realize that what makes her the unique person that she is. These days, it isn't a tehelka anymore to read people and their intentions. But the vibes Hema Sardesai emits are definitely genuine and more importantly straight-from-the-heart. It was a truly wonderful experience talking to someone who defines herself as an "honest person".

Text and pics by Faridoon Shahryar

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