Once a paree, always a paree

Make way for singer Suneeta Rao who's in town this Friday crooning her return as paree forever

The paree of Indian pop music is back in town to announce her sabbatical from the limelight as officially over. If songs like Paree Hoon Main and Ab Ke Baras still linger in your minds, here's a chance to catch her live in concert at the Paree Forever show. The line-up also includes Gino Banks on the drums, Sangeet Haldipur on the piano, keys and backing vocals, Ravi Iyer on the guitar, Rushad Mistry on bass guitar and Shadaab Bhartiya on the tables and percussion.

With a special place in her heart for the city audience and the club she is performing at, owned by sister and jazz singer Arati Rao, Suneeta plans to bring the city on to its toes. "I will be performing a mix of Fusion Pop and Rock. This will include songs from my latest album Waqt, plus new versions of my classic hits such as 'Paree Hoon Main' and 'Ab Ke Baras', as well my own versions of popular cover songs," says Suneeta.

Talks of course begin with the paree having been away from the limelight for a long period, but not long enough to erase the song itself off our minds though. "I have been in a world of my own first, performing concerts in and around the city and abroad, then looking for people to write music with, then working on the album which took five years - thanks to my time schedules and those of the musicians who were working on it," Suneeta explains.
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Besides being involved in a new album that was launched in the year 2008, Suneeta has involved herself in many concerts and collaborations like the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival held annually in Mumbai and television reality shows. She describes her sound as a mix of classic and contemporary pop fusion.

Waqt, her first solo project has elements of her basics in classical music and contemporary ones. "There is something in it for everyone. I have boldly used my knowledge of classical music and woven ragas into lounge, club and even hip hop. I have even dabbled in Punjabi", she says. "The title song Waqt is very special as it has a loop by the legendary jazz fusion drummer Lenny White (who played with Chick Corea in his band Return to Forever) in it, and is based on a Carnatic Raga. The album also features a song for the girl child called Sun Zara supported by the United Nations Population Fund", she adds.

Going back in time one remains curious about how Suneeta's stint with Bollywood, at a time when all music was ultimately headed towards films, was short-lived. She confesses her plans too initially were the same and says, "Playback singing was definitely on my agenda when I started out 20 years back.

As it turned out I was not really making myself available to the music directors since I was too busy performing all over the world - which was good for me back then and necessary. Today of course I do wish I could sing in just a few films since it gives one the opportunity to work with so many different producers, which is enriching. But I am glad I have been allowed to explore my potential rather well with my own songs, and that they have managed to stand the test of time. So I guess you win some, you lose some, as long as you are busy and happy, that's all that matters", Suneeta says.

At: BFlat, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar
On: October 15, 8.30 pm
Call: 4241 4000
For: Rs 200 entry