Kolkata girl Paushali Sahu's debut solo original is a tribute to yesteryear legend Geeta Dutt

It’s been a while that Kolkata girl Paushali Sahu has become a household name with viral renditions of retro Bollywood tracks in collaboration with Lahore based musician Farrukh Javed. After back to back popular recreations, she has now released her first solo original titled She talks about her debut solo original and also shares her upcoming projects with us:
Take us through your musical background, what kind of music are you trained in?
Born into a Bengali family, I began my music training with Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul-geeti and Bengali songs by Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar, Hemanta Mukherjee to name a few. I trained primarily under my grandmother and mother, who were disciples of legendary musicians Gyanprakash Ghosh and Neeta Sen respectively. Later on, I went on to train in Hindustani Classical.
You’re known for paying homage to yesteryear Bollywood tracks. What elements from retro Bollywood songs have you incorporated in the original Haule Haule Piya?
The song has a retro soundscape which is reminiscent of the bygone Bollywood era. We went with the kind of instrumentation that musicians used in those days with improvisations created with mandolin, flute, violin, dholak, woodblock and a minimal electronic sound. The rhythm pattern and note progression are inspired by retro melodies where max emphasis is on the vocals and the composition. The lyrics have a touch of mischief in them as it used to be in many popular old Hindi songs. The video has been shot extensively in the picturesque streets of Kumortuli in North Kolkata, adorned with traditional houses, the serene Ganga ghats and the grand old Baghbajaar. These streets provided the perfect backdrop for this period piece.

What thoughts have you put into the original song?
I am deeply inspired by the compositions of S D Burman, Salil Choudhury and Madan Mohan to name a few. Old tunes generate nostalgia and create a sense of calm in the listeners’ minds. My love for retro music landed me on numerous music shows, interviews, and media appearances. Listeners have frequently told me that my voice is ideal for such songs. So, when I created my first original, I teamed up with a brilliant composer from Kolkata, Shamik, and briefed him on a retro piece I had in mind. My brief was to create a song that transports us to the golden 60s of Hindi cinema, a song filled with love and mischief and similar to the ones sung by Geeta Dutt. A tune that will sound equally soulful sans any music.’ was created using retro rhythm patterns and notation structures. The goal was to create a soulful and catchy melody that sounds distinct amidst the clutter of modern music and electronic soundscape.
This was your debut original solo, what’s next?
I am happy with the appreciation that has received, crossing a million views in less than 2 weeks of its release. My next original is , a soulful folk piece set in rural Bengal, is on the cards and will be my debut song as a lyricist. A few re-imagined and some exciting cross-border collaborations are also releasing soon.
Do you wish to diversify genres in your upcoming songs?
Absolutely! My second original is a Hindi folk song, heavily influenced by Bengal’s Baul songs. The third is a lively folk from the mountains. With every song, I wish to experiment with a different genre and soundscape.
Is a Bengali original on the cards anytime soon?
I am extremely fortunate to be collaborating with some outstanding musicians from Kolkata. I believe a Bengali original will be released without any prior planning.