Shashaa Tirupati On A.R. Rahman, Creative Freedom And Chasing A Grammy: 'I Want My Work To...' | Exclusive

In this exclusive conversation with News18 Showsha, Shashaa opens up about the reality of being a woman in the studio—facing vocal range expectations set by male leads, navigating assumptions in creative collaborations, and why she often chooses independence to protect her vision. She speaks candidly about the joys and tolls of creative freedom, the power of classical training in contemporary music, and her battle to remain irreplaceable in the looming shadow of AI.

With her sights set on a Grammy and her heart rooted in meaningful expression, Shashaa isn’t chasing trends—she’s building a legacy. One that, twenty years from now, she hopes will echo not just in awards or playlists, but in the way her songs make people feel.

This is Shashaa Tirupati—singer, composer, producer-in-the-making, and a future many in the industry are just beginning to catch up to.

Here are the excerpts:

KOLAB HER MUSIC CAMP aims to empower female music creators. What has been the most eye-opening or transformative experience for you during this initiative?

Definitely! I had never been part of a collaboration where multiple female creators were in the same room, working together from scratch to create something new. Every aspect of the process was unique—the way others approached music production was different from mine, and even the composition styles varied. It was incredible to witness the process, the teamwork, and how everyone contributed their expertise from start to finish. The experience was truly amazing.

Do you think gender plays a role in how a singer or composer is marketed in India? Are women still expected to stick to a particular “sound" in mainstream music?

I think this is a secondary question—the more important one is how many women are actually making music. For that to change, women need more opportunities to compose. They also need to actively market themselves as music producers and composers. There’s so much talent among women, but they need to step forward without hesitation or apprehension and put themselves out there.

As a woman who has navigated Bollywood, indie music, and multilingual compositions, have you ever had to fight for creative control over your work?

Haha! The main reason I mostly work independently is to avoid any battles over creative control. Right now, I’m working on a big project that I can’t talk about yet. So far, there haven’t been any issues with creative control, but I have a feeling it could come up in the future. As for being a vocalist, there have been times when my approach wasn’t taken seriously. But I wouldn’t necessarily call that a creative control issue—because when you’re collaborating, you’re building something together. It’s like dressing up someone else’s baby—you can’t claim full ownership because, at the end of the day, it’s not just yours.

The Indian music industry has long been male-dominated. Do you think the challenges faced by female artists today are more nuanced than before, or do they remain the same?

I wouldn’t say our industry is entirely male-dominated anymore, but there are still certain aspects where things could be more favorable for female artists. One example I often face is with duets—if the male recording is done first, the female singer is sometimes expected to match that same high pitch, even if it’s not within her natural range. Not every woman can comfortably sing that high, and personally, I find it challenging.

I’ve taken on such projects in the past, and while I pushed myself to deliver because that’s part of being a professional, it did take a toll on my vocal cords, often leaving me with hoarseness. It would be much more inclusive if composers could create melodies that naturally suit both male and female voices. When I sang Rait Zara Si, I really had to push myself. The final result was beautiful, but there’s always that flip side—it’s difficult to challenge a composer’s creative vision for a song.

You trained under the legendary Girija Devi in Hindustani classical music. How did that classical foundation shape your modern playback and independent singing styles? Could you recall some of the most important lessons you learned from her?

I believe no training ever goes to waste. There’s no such thing as learning something and never being able to use it—every bit of knowledge has its own significance.It’s interesting because many people have told me that classical music is dormant. But if you look at my songs like Sun Bhavra, Kanha, and OK Jaanu, most of them carry a strong classical influence. No knowledge is ever useless—I apply everything I’ve learned to all my projects. Even when I work on vocal arrangements, I incorporate my understanding of ragas to shape harmonies and add unique colours to the composition. That’s one of my biggest USPs.

Given your strong academic background, you had multiple career paths available. What was the defining moment that made you choose music over medicine?

For me, it’s all about passion—I truly love what I do. Every day brings something new—different songs, new people, fresh ideas, and unique creativity. It’s a beautiful process.

You’ve sung in over 20 languages. Which language was the most challenging for you, and how did you overcome that challenge?

Malayalam was challenging.

Your big break came through A.R. Rahman during Coke Studio Season 3. Can you walk us through the exact moment you found out you would be working with him? How did this experience lay the foundation for your longstanding creative association with him?

I found out when I was told about the hits I had gotten. But what really stood out to me was when he mentioned that my voice sounded like an instrument—that was something very important to me.

I was in a choir with seven other girls, and one day, he called out my name. I panicked, thinking he was about to remove me from the group. But a few days later, when Coke Studio was launched, I got a call at 4 AM from Chennai. I was sick at the time, but the girl on the line said, “Sir would like to try your voice. Can you come to Chennai?" That’s when I realized what was happening.

Speaking of long-term association, he really pushed me and helped me grow. I learned so much from him. He made me sing a variety of songs—even ones I wasn’t sure I could pull off—but somehow, he made it happen.

Working with legendary composers comes with high expectations. Have you ever had a moment in the studio where you felt completely out of your comfort zone? How did you handle it?

Of course! I’ve faced this situation many times. When a song is out of my vocal range, it can be challenging. But I believe success is never comfortable—you always have to push yourself. You can’t achieve success by staying in your comfort zone; you have to step out and give it your all.

The playback singing industry has evolved rapidly with the rise of AI-generated music and auto-tuning. Do you see this as a threat or an opportunity for real vocal artists?

There are many sides to this conversation. We’ve become more disposable in this rapidly evolving AI landscape. It’s a real concern—if AI can replicate my voice, it could put me out of work and business. AI doesn’t need rozi roti, but we do—so, god bless us ! The best thing we can do is keep working with passion, honing our craft, and striving to be the best versions of ourselves. That’s the only way to ensure AI can’t replace us.

If you could change one thing about how the Indian music industry functions, what would it be?

At this point in my life, I’d love to work with female producers and composers. I also want to take on production myself and be actively involved in creating projects.

You’ve already won National and Filmfare Awards. Is there a personal goal or milestone you’re still striving to achieve?

Grammy!

Fast-forward 20 years—what do you want the name “Shashaa Tirupati" to mean in the world of music?

Oh my God! I want my work to touch people’s lives. Even if I’m not around, I hope that when they hear my song, they remember my name.