Girl on Rise

TNN Bureau. Updated: 4/26/2017 12:00:15 PM Top Stories

Taking advantage of the rare opportunity of describing the encounter with the woman I interview, before I actually reach out and talk to her, I would like to share about the vibes, this girl, whom you might already know, gave me. It was an evening event, about a year ago, in the campus of University of Jammu, to which my friend literally dragged me. I had no intention of staying there more than ten minutes tops, but this girl on stage made me stay much longer than that. She could bewitch the audience with Hindi songs and then she effortlessly switches to Punjabi and to be honest that won my respect instantly. I had no clue before that evening, who Anjusha Sharma was. Turned out she is a singer with quite impressive accolades that were uttered by someone around, with admiration. Obviously it was intriguing because of her accomplishments, despite the fact that she was still a student in the University of Jammu.
Around same time, her posters started appearing here and there for promotion of her new single 'Suit Patiyala Shahi' and a person whom anyone would pass by ignorantly earlier was unintentionally getting noticed every time I passed by her. So apparently the girl carries herself as celebrity in public but few glimpses with her friends made it obvious that she is just a grounded ordinary girl in her closed circle. And this makes one realize how quick we are to make assumptions about person and how less we know a person, despite the fact that they are so much in everyone's eyes.
Born in village Vijaypur of district Reasi, being brought up listening Ramayana & Mahabharata and watching Ramleela at a very young age, she used to chant mantras, paralleling her father. Due to frequent transfer of her father, she did her schooling from Reasi, Dehradun, Dharchula, Uttrakhand and Jyotipuram. After coming back to the state, she graduated in B.A. from Gandhi Nagar Women College before completing her Masters in English Literature from University of Jammu. Today, she is rising up the ladder of fame and about to take another big step with release of her new song 'Rang Sanwla'. First poster of song has been released and the song's video is expected to be released after two more poster release. So without further ado, let us know more about singer of 'Suit Patiyala Shahi' which got more than 2 million hits on YouTube, lately.

Here are some excerpts from the conversation that followed with Anjusha:

How would you describe yourself, in a way no one else knows you?
I am an ordinary human being, a girl next door who has dreams to make it big and I am totally dedicated to that. My dad calls me 'Kukdu' and my mom calls me 'Meow'. I love reading books. Sleeping is my favorite pastime. I am very talkative; if I am not dozing off, I am up to something. I have two very opposite personality traits. Other than singing I am into anchoring, modeling and acting. I am constantly keen to contribute in society; do something for the nation in every possible way I can.
I am very energetic and on toes in my professional life but very simple and lazy in personal life. Despite of what I might appear in public, I am still a girl who loves to wake up late, eat in bed and stay in Pj's the entire day. If I could I would rather go out and meander in casuals, but my mother would not let me. She is more fixated on how I present myself in public.

What brought you into music? What are the instances that led you into this field?
My father Kuldeep Sharma and mother Shakti Sharma brought me into music when they realized during a family trip, when I was around 4 I guess, that I can sing well, after which I was encouraged to actively participate in programs related to NHPC, especially Ramleela, my father being an Officer there. I was consistent participant in every event in my school, Reasi Shastri Memorial Higher secondary school. Things changed drastically after I participated in an event, celebrating the Birth anniversary of General Zorawar Singh which was observed by various prominent personalities and politicians. I sang a song written by my father and everyone appreciated it so much that I had to perform it twice. I was given cash awards and it was marked by announcement of installation of statue of Zorawar Singh in Reasi. This incident deeply moved and bolstered me.

How would you describe your journey so far? What have been your major achievements so far, both personal and public?
My journey has been very exciting with a lot of learning and improvising. My mom-dad supported me throughout. After the incident I mentioned, my father became more concerned about me pursuing music more seriously. While I was studying in Dehradun, I participated in All India Devotional Song Competition and getting into Semi Finals was a big achievement for me at 14. In consecutive years, I made it to Finals and finally won the completion in third attempt and became the winner of 'All India Devotional Song Competition, Katra'.
After this, I never turned back. I got an opportunity participate in 'MH1 Awaaz Punjab Di', in which despite being a girl from Jammu and Kashmir, I was 1st runner up in Grand Finale. Next, I qualified in auditions to Zee TV's 'SaReGaMaPa' and made it to Top 15 contestants. After that, I participated in PTC Punjabi's 'Voice of Punjab' and was in Top 10 again. Meanwhile, I released a lot of music CD's like one with Venus tapes & records as well as won Miss Frame Freeze J&K, as a model. Last year, under the banner of 'Seven notes Music Company', I debuted in Punjabi music with my song 'Suit Patiala Shahi'. My journey as a singer has just begun and I have a lot of milestones to cover.
My journey has been my accomplishment. I believe, the fame, name, love, respect and support I have received from the masses, has been my major achievement. I am officially appointed as a Brand Ambassador of Swachh Bharat Mission District Reasi, which is an achievement as I am keen to contribute in every possible way. Encouraging people to vote, in Election campaigns is another thing I feel pride in. Personally, all these things make me a stronger person.

What has changed particularly after release of 'Suit Patiyala Shahi'?
At times I have nothing to do and I get bored and stay lazy all day and other times I hardly get time to eat or check my phone, so that's different. People have started recognizing me in public, which is exciting at times but uncomfortable at others. Like I said, I am an ordinary girl. I love to go around without makeup so people recognize me and tell me that I look different in real or ask me if it is my sister who is singer. There have been amusing instances when I denied that I am Anjusha Sharma or said that Anjusha is my sister. Couple of times I was instinctively bargaining and the seller recognized me, so that was embarrassing. But there have been unsettling occasion ms too. Like any other girl, I Love eating Golgappe but I have to skip that because there have been occasions when people would send me my pictures or text me stating they saw me or if I like Golgappe so much they would get them delivered at my doorsteps. I have to think several times, if my friends ask me out for movie. And God forbid, if someone sees me with any of my guy friends or sometimes even cousins, they will jump to make assumptions and spread tumors. And that is hard at times.

What are the major hurdles you have faced in your journey?
Well, when you have your parents as your best proponents, there are not much hurdles. Yea' there have been few insignificants bumps on the ride, without which the journey would not have been so interesting. When a girl from Reasi tries to get into glam world of music, it requires sheer dedication and hard-work. Not understanding that, there are people who would not hesitate telling my family, "Why are you letting your daughter into this field, it is not decent or it is not safe". Even some family friends and relatives would subtly suggest my father to withdraw his support and make me observe an 'ordinary' lifestyle. I have experienced that people who know you personally are more inclined to envy your success. But my father is my hero that he never gave in to such advices. My strength behind my work are my parents my family, my siblings Manjusha and Harsh Vardhan. Even my Grandmother, Sheela Devi, whom we unfortunately lost lately, used to defend and support me.
But I still find myself blessed for all the love and support that has been bestowed upon me by few people whom I can luckily call best friends, my teachers, Gurus, administration of Reasi and ultimately my fans and followers.

You are into Punjabi and Hindi Music now, any chance you will get into Dogri as well?
Yes, I have been into Punjabi and Hindi music but I am working for Dogri music as well. I have sung some songs for an upcoming Dogri movie. I am complaisant to attend events for the promotion of Dogri. I absolutely intend to do the best I can within my capabilities and capacity for the promotion of the language and culture.
But the bitter truth or hard reality is that everyone questions artists for their contribution for upliftment of Dogri, which I believe each artist is accountable for but no one at their personal front feels responsible for the same. For say, my latest release has around 20 Lakh rupees sponsored for the video; this shows they are even willing to invest money even on person who is not even from Punjab. In Punjab people literally sell land to sponsor music. They are proud of their art, culture and language; unlike us they do not feel embarrassed to converse in their native language. But here people, despite of the capabilities of singer and potential of both his/her work and popularity would not dare to sponsor; scratch that, they even feel embarrassed if their kids talk in Dogri.

What is your ideology behind your work?
My ideology behind work is to be honest to my work. I believe when you work with clean and clear heart, without any malice for anyone, you give yourself more time, energy and chance to learn and flourish. Being performer, when on stage, it is must to be honest and fully present there. Other thing that is essential is to stay humble.

What are your future plans? And what would be your strategy to go about it?
Future is uncertain. There are no particular plans; I aim to keep doing what I am doing and accomplish something major, so that I could make people from not only Reasi or entire Jammu and Kashmir but entire nation to recognize me and be proud of me. I am confident that till the day I have love and support of my family, friends and people around, I will keep improvising and excelling.

What is that one thing that keeps you moving on?
That one thing is the faith I have in me, strengthened by the faith of my family, loved ones and those who love and support me. It gives me confidence and motivates me to keep moving on and keep doing what I love to do.

Tell us about 'Rang Sanwla'.
Well, it is most major project I have done so far. It is coming under Music Company 'Jeet Records', in direction of 'Ganz Studioz', lyrics of which are contributed by 'Matt Sheron Wala'. It is way more different than my previous release 'Suit Patiyala Shahi'. In last video I felt I was appearing beyond my age but I felt more confident in getting things done as per my convenience this time. I am not at all an athletic person but for video of 'Rang Sanwla' I took 'Bhangra' classes and exercised a lot. People will definitely be surprised to see this new version of me and I hope they like it and appreciate it like they did, last time.

Any message for Women of Jammu?
Yes, the message for women is to have faith in themselves and have strength to dream and be passionate about your dreams; to be headstrong and move steadily towards their goals. Girls who want to do something in any field of art or any field for matter of fact, be honest to yourself; until you are facing the truth, which could be admonishing at times, nobody can stop your growth or bring you down. If you aspire to be in field of music, acting or other field of entertainment, you need to be skillful and confident. You ladies are the best creation of God, most powerful living being on earth, remember this and show the world what you have got and what you can do and accomplish.


Comment on this Story