Music is in my blood: Rani Hazarika
Post by on Sunday, October 3, 2021
Belonging to the well-known Hazarika musical family from Assam, playback singer Rani Hazarika has started her music journey when she was around three years old. So far, she has received 22 awards at national and international levels.
In conversation with Rising Kashmir’s Misabah Bhat, Rani Hazarika spoke about her interest in music, her works and her upcoming projects.
Tell us about your interest in music. How did you fall in love with it?
I belong to a musical family from Guwahati, Assam. I belong to the well-known Hazarika musical dynasty; my father Late Rose Hazarika was also a singer. He worked in the Information Broadcasting Songs and Drama Division as an artist.
Music is in my blood, and I have been associated with music ever since I opened my eyes. The music has always been there within me.
It is not that I have got into music once I came to Mumbai. I have done my graduation in music. We are four sisters, and I am the youngest, my other sisters did not continue in this field. This field has a lot of struggles, no doubt there are struggles in every walk of life and in every other career, but the music field is more challenging. Moreover, being from a Muslim family I had to face additional hurdles.
I have been performing on stage since I was 3 and a half years old, and in my sixth standard I started to sing professionally. By the time I reached the eight standard, I realised that I had already become popular among the Assamese music fraternity.
When and how did you get your first break in Bollywood?
When I arrived in Mumbai, I did not know anybody there; no godfather, nothing.
No doubt, I had friends with me. For three months I was just sitting, offering prayers and praying to God for any luck or chance. I had sent my CDs to various companies. One day I received a call saying that you have a good voice, and we would like to meet you.
They said if I wanted to do some shows which I honestly was not interested in. I had already done lots of shows in Assam and I had not come to Mumbai to do shows just to earn money. I had arrived in Mumbai with money, so I was not in need of money. I had come to be a playback singer.
I auditioned for the singing reality show Indian Idol. Luckily, I got selected, and was in the Top 30. Then I got my first break for the movie Jab We Met in which I was to be the backing vocalist for the playback voice of the leading actress of the movie Kareena Kapoor Khan and this is how I began my journey in Bollywood. After this movie I got a lot of offers from various industries including Tollywood.
What projects have you done till now?
I have sung a Punjabi folk song in the movie EK–The Power of One, starring Bobby Deol. Then I sang for a Telugu movie named Yeh KaisaKarz (Boss) starring Nagarjuna. Even though I had started to sing in movies I still competed in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar (2010) and ended up being the finalist.
My other projects are Risknamaa, Udanchhoo, J.D., Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, 9 O’clock, 18.11, Shudra: The Rising.
I also got a chance in the movie Welcome Back and the song was composed by Meet Bros, which proved to be the turning point of my life. I have also been a playback singer for many Assamese movies and albums. I have lent my voice to different TV commercials and serial title tracks as well.
Few days back, my song Dil Hi Toh Hai was also released.
I am really surprised and extremely happy to have 1 lakh views within few days for my recent romantic song “Dil Hi Toh Hai” on YouTube which is beautifully shot in Northern Kashmir.
What about your upcoming projects?
There is a Bollywood movie coming soon called Token, in which I have worked as a music director and singer.
A few more projects are coming up in which I have worked as a music director, and that is something I always wanted to do. I did not want to remain confined to singing but also wanted to create music.
Also, a web series is upcoming in which I have sung a duet song, Surma lagakechali with JaanNissar Lone.
How many awards have you received till date?
I got Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is a prestigious award, for Best Versatile Singer in 2018. Receiving that award in front of all the greats of the industry was such a big achievement. In total I have received around 22 awards both National and International.
Who do you consider to be your role model?
That would be my father, Late Rose Hazarika and my mother Malina Hazarika. My mother has been my backbone and my father has been my mentor ever since I started singing. He has always been there for me and has been supportive throughout. It was not simple for me to overcome in such a competitive musical family where in everyone was not less than a Guru but with my father’s support and guidance, I proved myself.
How do you manage to sing in several other languages, isn’t it difficult?
Of course, it is difficult. So far, I found Kashmiri to be the most difficult one. But being an artist, we must be comfortable with every language, it is what we do.
I have sung in Assamese, Bengali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, and of course in Kashmiri.
What Kashmiri songs have you sung?
I have sung songs like Salaam e Wazwane, which is a tribute to Wazwan. I believe Wazwan is not just a cuisine but something synonymous with Kashmir and Kashmiri culture. In fact, it is something that is preserved and promoted in Kashmir. My other songs are MaenziRaath, KatyuChukhNundbaane, etc.
