My Journey

My first ‘performance’ was in my third standard as I stood up in front of the music class to sing ‘Do Re Mi’. On hearing me Mr. Dias, our music teacher & my first inspiration, said ‘You have a beautiful voice.’ I was nine years old and hearing those words I felt like a sellout performer! Before I knew it my journey in the world of music had begun.

I come from a family that has always been into music. Both my Mother & my Grandmother are fantastic singers and I grew up swooning to their sweet voices. Because of them I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with music. Their influences played a big part up to that fateful day at music class, when I found my voice. Soon enough, Mr. Dias gave me my first break! A solo performance of Michael Jackson’s ‘Black or White’ & ‘Heal the World’ at our annual day function. I was thrilled because Michael Jackson had always been my idol. The first music album I bought (after days of adding up pocket money!) was ‘Dangerous’.

After the function, stage performances at school became a staple for me. I was gripped by the desire to be a complete performer & a pop star. I remember writing in my classmates’ slam books that I will grow up to be a pop star. My parents always encouraged me but it took them a while to discover that music wasn’t just a hobby for me. It was my calling and I became more & more driven towards it with every passing year.

Competitions & stage performances were my learning ground as I began to discover what I thought a performer needs to be. To me music meant not just singing but reaching out & mesmerising my audience. While I was in college, I joined Shiamak Davar’s Institute and learnt dance, something that was crucial to realizing my dream.

In 2002 destiny called through the auditions for Channel [V]’s Popstars. I was ready. I managed to get through gruelling auditions & elimination stages to become a part of ‘Viva’, India’s first legitimate Pop Act. Life came full circle on 1^stJune 2002 when we performed at our launch concert to a crowd of 50,000 fans, with my parents right in front. My dream had come true.

From the kind, encouraging words of Mr. Dias to a Best Female Playback Singer Award by Vijay TV and a Filmfare Nomination for ‘Kuch Khaas Hai’, it has been one rocking journey! I thank God everyday for letting me live my dream & for teaching me that if you believe in yourself & work hard, then nothing is impossible. I am humbled by the immense love & support all of you’ve shown me. It tells me every day that this is just the beginning and as always this magical journey is all about you.

Cheers,

Neha Bhasin