A forest spirit who started working on her album when she was at Berklee, Vasuda Sharma reminds us of that melancholy musician you see walking down that road; who the crowd parts for. She talks music, love and all her inspirations this women’s day.
ON YOUR MUSIC
Eight Octaves: What was it like growing up as a girl interested in music?
Vasuda: Music was always a hobby during childhood.I used to sing and dance as a child.I grew up learning a lot of Krishna bhajans and folk songs and was always involved in all the music related activities in school and college.
Eight Octaves: Was your family supportive?
Vasuda: My parents, right from the beginning, were very supportive.They would encourage me to go for singing competitions and be a part of other music related activities. They also provided me training in Indian classical music since childhood.
Eight Octaves: Is music a full-time career for you?
Vasuda: Music has not become a full time career for me. I have been in this profession for ten years now.
Eight Octaves: If yes, do you feel it is a viable career for a women in our country?
Vasuda: Of course. Over the years the whole perception of music as a profession not being suitable for women has changed drastically. There are more women singers, musicians in the industry.Most of them pursue music as a full-time profession and a source of income.
Eight Octaves: Who is your biggest inspiration? Any women you look upto.
Vasuda: My biggest inspiration is my aunt (Dad’s sister) who has been a great radio artist in Mathura. She has taught me everything I know in music since I was 4. I owe it all to her.
Eight Octaves: What would be an ideal world to you?
Vasuda: Where everyone who is living is taken care of, loved and respected.
Eight Octaves: What is your take on Women in the music industry in India?
Vasuda: Go-getters, ambitious, enterprising and definitely making a mark.
ON PERSONALITY
Eight Octaves: Describe yourself in 5 lines:
Vasuda:
A dreamer, believer, song-weaver
Someone who is spiritual and believes in Karma
Imaginative, empathic, introspective, curious
Creative and intuitive
Dog lover
That’s more than 5. Haha.
Eight Octaves: What clothes do you ideally wear?
Vasuda: Anything I like .depends on my mood J
Eight Octaves: Are you the same person you are on stage or do you have two separate identities?
Vasuda: I am the same on stage as I am off stage.
Eight Octaves: Any spot you go to to make music?
Vasuda: My home studio… My beautiful lamp creates the ambience I need to write music J
