How excited are you about your performance?
Shila: Though we’ve performed classical songs together, we’ll be singing lok and adhunik songs for the first time. We’ve shared the stage many times before when she would sing and I would play the harmonium. But this is new for us and I’m feeling very excited and curious to see how it turns out.
Kunti: This show is totally about us and it’s going to be a new experience. For both of us, it’s an important show and something momentous.
Photo: Keshab Thokar
Do you believe it’s necessary to reinvent yourself?
Shila: We’ve always tried to sing and compose songs of all types and flavors. We’ve done lok, adhunik, gazal, thumri and classical songs. Some songs are popular and some are not. When we are deciding songs for an album, we try to include different kinds of songs for our listeners. There will be a soft, sentimental number and some catchy songs as well. It’s good to be constantly trying something new.
What kind of songs do you prefer?
Shila: I like songs which are soothing and melodious. There should be certain sweetness to the songs.
Kunti: Songs have different flavors. For a singer, it’s a great challenge to immerse in that flavor and be able to present it to listeners. A singer should try and acquire the capacity to sing different kinds of songs. However, at the end of the day, there should be a Nepali flavor in the songs we sing. It’s our identity and our roots.
How difficult is it for a couple to work together as artists?
Shila: I’m a composer and she’s a singer. One cannot do without the other, so we manage by listening to each other. There are times when I compromise and then there are some instances when I stand my ground.
Kunti: Yes, we compromise when we are facing some disagreements. When I think something is missing, or something more is needed in a song, I try to persuade him.
Do you have any particular song which you call your favorite?
Shila: I love all my songs. I give my best to each and every song that I compose so it would be unfair to choose just one.
Kunti: It’s the same for me. In fact, there are moments when I feel disappointed when listeners don’t seem to favor a song. And at the back of my head, I’ll be wondering why they didn’t like it when I worked equally hard on all the songs. I’ve heard that many artists put in their best for only one song while forgetting about the rest. They are just songs to fill the album. It shouldn’t be like that.
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