I feel that each of us are born in this world for a purpose; for me that purpose was to become a musician. From a young age, I was always transfixed on melody and rhythm, and I would bang on pots and pans, or the washing machine, or the dinner table at home, or on my knees, and I was always humming all kinds of tunes. However, it wasn’t until I heard some old recordings Siddheshwari Devi Ji, Begum Akhtar Sahiba and Ustad Ahmadjan Thirakhwa that I knew that I wanted to be an Indian Classical musician.

I used to have these very surreal dreams as a child, and even today, on sitting in a red carpeted room with white arched walls, and three wise Gurus in front of me. One would teach me voice, one would teach me Tabla, one would teach me how to combine the two together, as I did not have the guidance from anyone to teach me how to combine singing and playing together. I would wake up in the middle of the night and memorize what I was taught.

I have made a lot of sacrifices in my life to become a musician. The road has been long and hard, and I have traveled most of it with great difficulty. Music is my way of life as Music brings people joy, love, happiness, solace and peace. Music is my prayer, and my connection to the Universe.