Renowned singer Abida Sultana, aka Shikha to her near and dear ones, can sing in multiple languages and has performed at several major international events. Recently she took some time off from her busy schedule to have a chat with The Daily Star. Excerpts from the interview:
The Daily Star (TDS): What is singing to you?
Abida: Singing is my life. Just as we cannot articulate in words what breathing is to us, I cannot express adequately what singing means to me.
TDS: Would you trade your voice for anything?
Abida: I cannot think of giving up my voice for anything. But, hypothetically, if I was required to give up my voice to save my family, I would. Family comes first.
TDS: What do you like to do on rainy days?
Abida: I love rain. People usually listen to music on rainy days but I like to listen to the sound of rain. If it is possible, I stay home and try to enjoy the music of rain.
TDS: A hilarious incident you would like to share with the readers...
Abida: This happened during one of my recordings in Kolkata. The session was interrupted several times. I had put on some make-up, like we often have to, which happened to attract flies. At one point, the director instructed one of his assistants, a small Nepalese boy whose name also happened to be Nepal (!), to stand guard and get rid of flies. Midway into the recording, I was abruptly hit on the head by a rolled out piece of paper! I landed on the floor and was quite baffled. It then dawned on me that the lad was merely trying to save me from flies.
TDS: What is your favourite colour and season?
Abida: My favourite colours are maroon and green. And as you might have guessed by now, monsoon is my favourite time of the year. If I could have it my way, I would want it to rain throughout the year, 365 days.
TDS: Your favourite food?
Abida: I like all kinds of salads, fish and chips, ice cream and last but not the least, Hajir Biryani.
TDS: Your favourite singers?
Abida: There are quite a few supremely talented singers in our part of the world. Manna Dey, Mehedi Hassan and Asha Bhosle happen to be some of my favourites.
TDS: Obsession...?
Abida: I am absolutely crazy about perfumes.
TDS: Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Abida: I'm not sure if I'll be singing ten years from now, but I would definitely want to retain the honour, respect and love I have earned from my fans throughout my singing career. I have a simple commitment to myself -- I'll stop singing the day I realise I'm not able to sing anymore.
TDS: Any message for music lovers?
Abida: Do not support music piracy. In fact, "piracy" is a rather decent word for such an act. I would rather use the term "stealing." Piracy should be penalised severely. There are countries where pirated tapes and CDs are burned in masses. The government and the people should all come forward to stop this felony.