We’ve asked in-house writer Vishal Jhaveri to run this section. Vishal Jhaveri has followed the Urban Desi movement since its early stages. He’s also immersed in the scene as a composing artist. In this section, Vishal Jhaveri analyzes how artists have developed their sound.

Listen to Vishal Jhaveri’s music in comparison to other Urban Desi artists, and let us know if his critiques are in line with your thoughts! We’ll catch you each week for a new “Encore”!

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This week we screen Shweta Subram – An emerging vocalist with international exposure. She’s practiced music in such manner that infuses cultural genres. Experiences with moves between U.A.E., India and Canada, allowed Shweta Subram to not limit her audience base. Instead she used her learned language skills to acquire a global reach. She’s someone who can perform in English, Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil!

As an artist Shweta Subram was trained in Hindustani and Carnatic music. Perhaps this is one factor that’s kept her career diversified. She’s sung with JoSH, written for a Canadian film and was featured on various Hindi music channels (i.e. B4U, Star Plus, Zee Music, Zoom TV). With the coverage she’s seen, it’s no surprise she acquired critical press and received various accolades. Though Shweta Subram wasn’t always a musician at heart.

Growing up in a stereotypical South Indian family, Shweta Subram was enrolled in numerous activities – music being the least of her interests! It was somewhat a task for her to learn since she’d want to pass time with her peers instead. What’s worse is her shyness excelled the issue, which forced her guruji to become strict. Shweta Subram took note from her father, an established orator. She observed his eloquence and used it as constructive criticism for herself, while joining Toastmasters.

She spent countless hours in perfecting her weakness. In time Shweta Subram competed in the Inter-UAE Competition and the North American Talent Hunt – two contests she won. We caught up with Shweta Subram to ask her a few questions.

DH!: Though you’re not a “new” artist, the Urban Desi audience hasn’t heard much of you. What should someone expect?

SS: The urban audience should expect a dusky beauty belting out hit songs which fuse Bollywood style with urban beats and a tinge of Indian classical. They should also expect unparalleled versatility in each of my tracks and collaborations with some of the best names in the music industry.

DH!: What infusions of “Hindustani” and “Carnatic” genres are mixed in your music?

SS: Both “Hindustani” and “Carnatic” music are based on the raaga system. So once you determine the raag of your song and the notes around it, you can do leaps and bounds to create infusions with pop music. This is the simplest answer I can give (laughs). The more I speak on this, the more technical it will get.

DH!: You’ve had various career highlights, but is there one that’s most memorable?

SS: Though I have won many awards and performed alongside some of the top Bollywood names, the most memorable moment for me was when Tarun Nayyar of "Delhi 2 Dublin", contacted me to write and sing for a film, “BAS! Beyond the Red Light”, in order to bring awareness to the plight of girls forced into human trafficking. This film has won the award for best documentary at the L.A. Femme International Film Festival.

DH!: What are your aspirations?

SS: My aspiration is to share my passion for music with everyone. Nothing else feels as good! I want the world to sing my songs and celebrate life through my music.

DH!: What’s your current project and/or what should fans anticipate?

SS: I am working on my debut album. Over the next few days my fans should anticipate the release of the music video for my debut single, Jee Le Live Life. There are a lot of exciting collaborations in the pipeline for which my fans should stay tuned.

Inner Thoughts:
DH!: Who is one person you want to work with?

SS: A.R. Rahman

DH!: Which Urban Desi artist is underrated?

SS: I really can’t think of anyone who’s talented yet underrated.

DH!: What’s one track you wish was yours?

SS: “Beedi Jalaile” (Omkara)

More music is in the works for this artist!