Introduction
When we reached the finish line there is nothing more satisfying than being able to bring ~160 profiles from Smule to you all and provide a place for all these young singers a platform and a voice to tell their audience about their music and interests. Sarah’s profile is one of the most suggested from the community and was caught up in the pipeline for a year due to scheduling conflicts. Glad this finally came together at this last minute. Here is a short write-up about Sarah’s music. Congratulations on coming in the top 10 positions of this year’s Smule India Awards 2020.
Tell us about yourself
I’m Sarah Vineeth John, and my hometown is Kayamkulam, Kerala. I grew up with my parents and my two sisters. I did my schooling in both Muscat and Trivandrum since my parents were working abroad for a few years. Singing has been my hobby and more so a passion ever since my childhood days. My father enjoyed singing as well and it was he who found my liking for music. He used to have a collection of cassettes, which later advanced into CDs when I was growing up. However, at that time music had to remain a passion and a hobby, while I had to focus on studies and move on to earn a degree and aim for higher studies to be settled. Professionally, I am a lecturer with a background in Engineering and an MBA graduate, settled in Mumbai with my husband and my daughter.
What are your earliest memories of getting familiar with singing and your earlier interactions with music?
My parents have played a very important role in nurturing my musical interests. Like I said, my papa used to sing when he was young and held a sacred connection with music all his life. It was he who encouraged me to sing film songs as a child and recorded them for others to listen to. My parents always supported me to take part in stage programs and this reduced my stage fright from a young age. I remember listening in awe to audiotapes of songs sung by K.S Chithra ma’am and trying to sing the same.
Where did you go to your college?
I completed my B. Tech and worked in a multinational company for a few years before I pursued my MBA at Mumbai. Currently, I’m settled in Mumbai with my family and working as a Professor at a Management Institute.
How was your music nurtured over the years?
While school competitions were the only area where I was successfully exhibiting my talent, I never turned down a chance to sing, be it at social gatherings or meetings for church programs. I used to participate in singing competitions at inter-school and state levels back in the days and have fond memories of winning prizes and going up on stage to receive them from prominent artists of the time. Most of my childhood memories revolve around singing and humming to songs that came on TV, with my sisters. Listening to songs in multiple genres from a young age helped me to familiarize myself with the technical and classical nuances in music. i.e., the voice modulations, expressions, etc. that a song demands. The smule app almost came as a complete revelation to me; I’ve been spending my leisure time practicing songs in Smule ever since the first time I worked on a collaboration. It opened my eyes and ears to the many; many beautiful singers I never knew and their singing style and their choices.
What is your level of classical music training, if any?
Unfortunately, I never got an opportunity to get trained in classical music. Although my parents were supportive of my interest in singing, for a middle-class family that focused on education, finding a professional job came as a priority. I am sure a lot of singers can relate to my experience. I am a self-trained singer for the most part. I’ve always loved listening to both Carnatic and Hindustani kritis. In Mumbai, I’d tried a few times to find a teacher, but I haven’t been successful yet. At present, my work and family keep me busy, but I have my plans to soon dedicate time to learning music as well.
What do you think about the music industry that insists on training in classical music, is important?
I was fortunate to have had the exposure to a lot of songs and artists at a time when the Internet was not very popular, and it helped me to find my confidence to sing. Nevertheless, there are songs that involve a lot of technicalities that sound difficult to a person like me who has no Carnatic or Hindustani backing. I am aware that a person with classical music knowledge would definitely have an upper hand as he/she can relate to the ragas and has a better hold of the technicalities. I certainly believe classical music training would be a bonus.
What does your music mean to you?
I have always been passionate about music and singing, a deep connection that I have known forever as a child and well into adulthood. It is the only element in my life that has remained constant. I can merely describe it in words. There are times I am so obsessed with a song that I listen to them in a loop until I learn every detail perfectly. Music completes me and there is happiness in knowing that I will always have my music to keep me grounded.
As a woman artist do you think you were not given enough respect from peers? If you think there is a trend in India’s playback industry, what is your opinion about it?
It’s not true at all. There are a lot of memorable songs sung by female artists too. Shreya Ghoshal is such an apt example in the current list of playback singers, who came into the industry without any godfathers and by her own worth. I don’t think there’s such a trend. I believe that talent holds the upper hand – not gender.
Are you a socially responsible artist? Either way, tell more about what it means to you?
I consider myself a socially responsible artist. In Mumbai, I’m part of a musical group called “Moksh”. It’s a group formed by my friends who are as passionate as I am about music. We’ve had opportunities to conduct music programs at various gatherings and it also supports NGOs and other charities. I also perform for orphanages and other charity organizations as part of my church activities. The happiness and satisfaction we experience seeing the audience enjoy our music is something that can’t be described. It’s a special emotion that makes us realize our love for music.
If you were a famous artist and asked to stand for an issue that matters to the world, what would be your stand on it?
I am a very frank and opinionated person. It is the way I was raised, and it is the way I hope to raise my daughter. To be afraid to voice your thoughts and opinions is almost like giving up your identity. Recently I was in awe of Chinmayi for showing the courage to expose the issues in the Tamil music industry. She stood up for herself and I thought that was really impressive. However, I am also well aware that human minds are complex and our opinions may not always agree or sit well with every issue and I am always happy to learn and understand.
What are your concerns about the current music industry?
I think, unlike the old days, today’s music industry is more accessible thanks to Smule and so many social media platforms like Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, etc. There is no limit to the outlets you have to exhibit your talent but that always brings about the competition. There is not just one or two singers but a plethora of exceptional singers, all rightfully deserving of attention and recognition. Back in the days, you only knew the winners of the reality shows on TV but today you know the talented homemaker, the baker, the engineer, the teacher, the student, and every singer. Hopefully, the industry will take notice and singers will be able to come forward and see their dreams flourish and come true. I am one such dreamer myself.
Since you live in Bombay, please tell us about how easy it is for you to get in playback?
Although Mumbai is the heart of the entertainment industry, it may not be the most accessible place for a newcomer. Unless an aspiring singer is willing to dedicate himself/herself very aggressively to find their place in this very competitive industry, there is limited chance to make a name for oneself. However, Mumbai is also the city of dreams for a reason. There are plenty of other platforms for budding artists to venture, say being part of bands where like-minded and talented artists come together and make great music. As mentioned before, I am part of a band Moksh that was created when a group of fellow Smuleans in Mumbai decided to come together and perform at parties and clubs. Other than bands, there are always opportunities for independent musicians who make jingles and Youtube videos for a living. To summarize, music doesn’t always have to end up in playback.
Why do we have to have good lyrics in songs?
Without lyrics, you may not truly understand what the song wishes to convey. And the music allows the singer to connect with the song. My dad always used to advise me that the lyrical meaning of a song is as important as its tune in order to grab its essence fully. This concept has greatly influenced me in grabbing a song’s feel while listening and attempting to sing it.
World music? Strange or familiar? Any thoughts like all go here.
I try to listen to and explore music by international artists when recommended by friends and peers. I am always amused by the power of music and the complex structure in which notes come together in different languages and instruments to make it unique. I am not an expert nor a stranger when it comes to world music.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a singer/musician?
Strength: I can dedicate an immense amount of my time and energy to learning a song or familiarizing with a particular genre and then render it to the best of my ability.
Weakness: While I have been appreciated many times for rendering songs exactly like the original, in the back of my mind I am also aware that I missed some solid classical training in my childhood.
List a few of your favorite singers and music directors’ languages etc.
It’s hard to pick out names. But the following are a few amongst those: Chithra, Susheela, KJY, P Jayachandran, Asha, Lata, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam. A few favorite music composers would be Ravindran, Johnson, AR Rahman, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Madan Mohan, Kalyanji Anandji, RD Burman.
Without delay let us listen to her own selected songs from the Smule profile
Listen to me sing “Yedho Yedho Ondru” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/935828891_2931919348
Listen to me sing “[HQ] Hai Na – Zubeidaa” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1818422618_3454679634
Listen to me sing “Chi Chi Chi” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/978017725_3136122579
Listen to me sing “En Poove Pon Poove” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1785359080_2862768918
Listen to me sing “Maanathe Vellitherin” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1150802437_3931377717
Listen to me sing “Darling – 7 Khoon Maaf” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/984955881_2932709760
Listen to me sing “valayapatti thavile” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1068002760_3758910856
Listen to me sing “Wajale Ki Bara” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1795746294_3813086891
Listen to me sing “Tumhari Adaon Pe Main Vari Vari – Ost Mangal” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1785359080_2723421566
Listen to me sing “Rangeela-Pyaar Yeh Jaane Kaisa” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/1785359080_3881544144
Listen to me sing “Dil Ki Tapish-Katyar Kaljat Ghusli” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/762210532_3834438556
ENDNOTES
Sarah and her talent is undeniable and her profile is one of the best displays of the tremendous amount of effort some of these singers put out to learn and perfect singing. More than anything it is her love for good music and a thorough approach to everything that she puts her mind on. Super impressive with a high level of intellect in her personality was very evident to understand this singer during this process. We wish all the best for Sarah in her singing and future endeavors. Here is a link to her Smule profile visit, follow this singer and encourage her music.
