I derive my energy from my passion “Music” as it gives
me a reason to get up and get going
https://instagram.com/
https://youtube.com/channel/
After completing school, I opted for all three subjects of music i.e. vocals, instrumental (violin) and dance (kathak). I topped in the college and got second position in the university (GNDU) in academics in graduation. The results were quite surprising because I hardly used to attend classes, I was always out preparing for college festivals and competitions etc. Music being my favourite subject really helped me achieve this kind of excellence in all my endeavours.
Why Jyotica wanted to be a playback singer?
I love singing since my childhood, my mom introduced me to music as she herself has a beautiful voice and loves music. She used to hum songs while doing household chores and I started humming along. I love Bollywood music a lot. Then one fine moment I found my Guruji Sh. Dharminder Kathak ji at a tender age of 6-7 years. Under his guidance, I learnt classical as well as all other genres of music, I used to enjoy the learning process so much that quickly I realised that I want to become a professional singer. My family has been extremely supportive hence I am here today.
Please tell us your success story after initial performances on television to a successful playback singer?
My first television performance was on Sony TV in a show called “Entertainment ke liye kuch bhi karega” in 2013. Since it wasn’t a singing based show, one had to do something different to qualify. My guruji taught me to sing and quickly switch songs in around 21 languages and my act was a big hit, judges Anu Malik and Farah Khan loved it so much that I was awarded the performer of the day and won my first prize money of ₹51,000. After that I auditioned for the Voice of India in 2015 and my blind audition won everyone in the jury, Mika Singh I call him Mika Bhaji became my mentor in the show, also the other judges: Sunidhi Chauhan, Shaan and Himesh Reshammiya were literally arguing to get me in their teams, a moment to cherish forever.
Although I could not remain in the show for long, I got eliminated in the top 20 of my team, but this show brought me to Mumbai Then I tried my luck in Saregamapa on Zee TV and it totally changed my life, I became the finalist of the show and people started recognising me and started getting offers for recordings as well as live shows all over the world. I sang a lot of scratches for several composers and finally one day one of my songs got finalized in a film and my dream of becoming a playback singer came true.
Which was your first song which gave you recognition as a playback singer?
“Pallo latke” from the film Shaadi mein zaroor aana, music on Zee Music company, after its release within a month or so it got viral and it was being played in every wedding and club, I also received my first award of best female playback singer Zee Cine Award, this was a dream come true, being nominated among my idols like Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal was such a big thing for me and my winning took it to another level.
Struggle taught me a lot about everything around me, I got to learn the value of every small thing which I earned, it helped me to become mature and grow as a person and as an artist.Even though the half of my struggle was made easy because of my family and my Guruji, they have always been there as a strong pillar, but after shifting to Mumbai I wanted to stand on my feet and pay my rent and bills, initially it was a little tough, because composers used to call me to sing scratches every now and then but you are not paid for any of that, so a lot of money used to go in the travelling, I remember saving 20-25 Rs by walking to the studios nearby so that I could use that money for milk etc.So basically I learned the value of every penny. But I must say Mika bhaji my mentor, really supported me during that time, he started taking me with him for opening his shows, which was really helpful because I learned so much about performing live that too on such big stages, Mika bhaji also introduced me to many composers and lyricists too and that really helped.
Jyotica you are a live performer also. Your live shows are very popular. Which was your most memorable show which you have performed internationally?
I love performing live, looking at my audience’s reaction while I sing is precious. I remember after Saregamapa I went on USA tour and my first show was at Times Square, New York, so many people from different nationalities were present there, it was one of a kind experience and I’m grateful for it.
In the field of music industry in Bollywood, there is very much criticism also, what is your experience? How do you accept this?
Critics are an important part of the industry because they are the ones who bravely put their honest opinions out there and there’s a lot of learning from them, but touchwood I have always received good reviews for my songs even though I have sung so many recreated songs, and many people are against recreated songs, still people love me for Pallo Latke, khadke glassy and mungda as well, I feel blessed for the songs I have got, all the songs I have sung, vary in genres, moods and styles.
What is your message to upcoming singing talents who want to make their career in this field?
Choosing and knowing what kind of music resonates with you best is very important and then improving by learning more and keeping yourself updated will help you sustain yourself in the industry.
Who is your favorite music composer and why?
I am a fan of AR Rehman ji, no words can express how amazing a musician, composer and artist he is. One thing I really like about him is how he chooses the specific instruments and musicians from around the world, makes simple yet striking melodies and selects perfect voices for his songs, every song that he makes is a masterpiece, his music is so Indian and so beautifully reflects the spirit of Indian music.I hope he finds me too for one of his songs soon.
In your professional career, who supported you the most men or women?
Undoubtedly my mother. She has always been supportive, after my father’s death in 2012, I and mom were in Jalandhar, she made sure that I learned music and provided me with everything needed for the same, my elder brother used to stay out of Punjab for his job, it was just I and mom and yet she didn’t think twice while I was moving to mumbai, it was her decision that I go to mumbai in order to pursue my career in music, she is an epitome of love and strength and she is my inspiration.
Jyotica is introvert or extrovert by nature?
I am quite social, I like being around people and music really helps me to gel around with people, its a good conversation starter.I feel I’m not an introvert at all, but I do take some time to open up.
Which is your own favorite song you love the most and why?
I love “Ishq de fanniyar” from the film Fukrey Returns, its melody and lyrics are extremely beautiful and I feel in this song the texture of my voice which you hear is very raw and unfiltered sound of my vocals.I have listened to it on loop for hours and many people on social media also comment the same thing that once this song gets you, you listen to it on loop. It is composed by Sharib and Toshi and penned down by Kumaar bhaji.
Your song “sone da choubara” from punjabi film “Baajre da Sitta” is a biggest attraction of the film. Please share some memorable moments of this song?
“Bajre da sitta” is like a blessing to me, I feel this film and all the songs have brought out my inner Punjabi soul and I feel so elated to be a part of this film. The kind of songs this film has to offer are like a dream for a singer like me, I used to perform “bajre da sitta” and “saari raat” in school competitions. The little Jyotica back then would have never thought that she will get to have her own official versions of the same, “sone da chubara” and “surmedani” are also gems of the film, having the true essence of Punjabiyat, these songs are total winners and all the songs are winning peoples’ hearts all over the social media. Every girl is putting up her small videos lipsing and dancing to these songs. These are the things I live for. The kind of love I have received for “Bajre da sitta” songs is incredible, even each one from my Bollywood film fraternity congratulated me for this project.
Thanks to Jass Grewal for choosing me and Jaidev Kumar ji for making me sing these beautiful melodies, Avvy Sra has done a great job composing “sone da chubara”and “surmedani”.
What are your compliments for your mother Bhawna Tangri who supported and encouraged you to become a playback singer?
Mumma ke liye jitna kahu kam hai, I have seen her struggle from getting four hours of sleep to work in a school for earning as well as nailing her household chores, mothers are incredible and mine is precious, I can’t thank God enough for making me my mumma’s daughter.
You are always fit and energetic, What is the reason behind this?
I have been consciously taking care of my fitness since a few years now, because I soon realised that taking care of our body is our first responsibility, everything will fall in place only if I am fit, even though I am a foodie, I try to keep a balance by exercising side by side, I derive my energy from my passion ‘’music”, it keeps me full of life and gives me a reason to get up and get going.
