In conversation with Assam’s Swarnali Acharya, who made it to top-10 of Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs 2019

By SWAPNANEEL BHATTACHARJEE | April 26, 2019

As a kid, she would often keep her father awake at nights for long hours and chit-chat about music. She queried in wonder about sur, sargams and a lot more.

The eagerness to explore the sea of tunes and melodies gradually inspired her towards singing, and today she is known to music-lovers across the country. She is Swarnali Acharya from Silchar in south Assam's Barak Valley, who has made it to the top-10 of the popular singing reality show Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs, 2019.

A big fan of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, Swarnali dreams of becoming a playback singer in the future. Her first stage performance was at an event in Silchar in 2010 when she was just around three-and-a-half-years. Presently, she studies in class-VIII at Tiny Tots Home in Silchar.

In an interaction with TNT- The Northeast Today, the twelve-year-old talented singer from Assam, who is currently in Mumbai for the show, shared her experiences of the show and other related aspects. Here are the excerpts:

TNT – First of all, congratulations on making it to the top-10 of Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs, 2019

Swarnali – Thank you so much!

TNT – How do you feel about being one of the top-10 contestants in the popular show? Tell us about your experiences

Swarnali – I am very happy and excited to see myself at this stage of the contest. Feels like, I am moving ahead towards my dream of becoming a playback singer. The experience in the show has truly been superb. It has given me a much-needed exposure and helped me develop my skills and learn a lot more about singing and music.

I had participated in a reality show "Love Me India" by &TV in October, 2018 from which I got a special entry to Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs. I appeared for the audition in November, 2018 and have finally made it to the top-10. Altogether, the journey has been fantastic.

TNT – Did you take any formal training in music? How many hours do you usually spend in practicing songs?

Swarnali – Yes. I have learnt music at a number of music institutes in Silchar including Sangitanjali under the mentorship of Nivedita Gupta, Hindole under Raju Chakraborty and JM Academy under Mousomi Choudhury Paul. I devote around 5-6 hours in practicing songs. Besides, I spend a fair amount of time listening to songs.

TNT – Who is/are your current favourite singer(s)? What kind of music/songs do you like?

Swarnali – Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal are my favourites among the current string of singers. Well, I love all kinds of songs. Be it a rock or a romantic number, I will love if I feel "sur" in it. Some of my favourite songs include Lag Ja Gale (Woh Kaun Thi), Aap Ki Nazro Ne Samjha (Anpadh) and Bheegi Bheegi Si Hain (Life In A Metro) among others.

TNT – Many say today's songs do not have the charm and magic like old songs. Do you agree with this?

Swarnali – Yes, I strongly agree to this. Today's songs lack the charm in comparison to old songs. I guess, the biggest reason behind this is the way songs are made these days. Auto-tuning and various other technological things have become a major part of song making now. This just kills the "feel" altogether. Music industry has become more commercial these days. Earlier, ample time was given to make songs and there was no auto-tuning and all. They touch our hearts straightway.

TNT – Imagine you have won the Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs, 2019 contest. What will be your plans after that?

Swarnali – Wow! I will surely be on cloud nine (giggles). My further plans will be to take training on music/singing from any reputed institute or a professional in this field. For that, I may shift to Kolkata or Mumbai in the coming days.

The interviewer can be reached at swapnaneel.bhatt555@gmail.com

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