Anitha Shaiq, who calls herself a ‘spiritual person’, made time to visit TAS Studio, recently, for a candid tête-à-tête that presented a quick peek into her musical journey -from the school days to her current celebrated status as a Sufi singer.

Anitha is in Muscat, for the first time, for a stage show organised by a group of music enthusiasts. “This was the only one country left in the Middle East for me,” she muses.

Find out more about Anitha’s musical journey on TAS TV, excerpts of which are presented in the following interview:

What made you choose the Sufi music?

Since childhood, I have been interested in listening to Sufi music. It started with my father, who used to listen to ghazals, and we, as children, followed suit. Those days, I used to sing ghazals of Pankaj Udhas, Medhi Hassan Saab, Ghulam Ali Saab…

It was after my 10^th standard, that I decided to choose music as my main subject and learnt Carnatic music in college.

Having my mother as a music teacher helped me in my chosen path.

Who inspires you to create music?

I must say God. It is magic…it comes from the heart. Music is a flow; there is no formula for composing music.

Family has also been my inspiration. As I said earlier, my mother is a music teacher; my grandmother is a singer, and my great grandfather was an Urdu poet. My sister also sings. So yes, music is in the family.

What is the biggest challenge of being a Sufi singer?

I was born and brought up in Kerala, where Malayalam is the main language. But in my home, all of us speak Urdu. However, Sufi language is different. Most of the Sufi Kalams (devotional poetry) are a mix of languages with a touch of Punjabi.

That language was new to me and so I decided to travel to understand and know it better. I traveled a lot and I made many mistakes…

I met so many gurus, and finally met my favourite Murshid (guide or teacher) in Ludhiana. That is when I got the touch of original music and experienced that spiritual connection.

When did you start your professional music career?

I am in the professional music scene since 2007. My first debut was for the Malayalam film ‘Rock n Roll’ under Sri Vidyasagar’s composition. It was the ‘Oh Maama Chanda Mama’ song, which was a huge hit at that time.

Following that I got so many opportunities in regional films, but I wanted to do more as an artiste. As a playback singer, one is required to create the same melody on stage, and there is nothing exciting in it for an artiste. But it is not the same with Sufi; there is a challenge in Sufi music; it requires you to connect with the audience.

I always love to take challenges!

Tell us about your performances with other musicians?

I have performed with Kailash Kher, Atif Aslam, Udit Narayan, Sadhana Sargam, Asha Bhosle…so many other senior musicians. For a south Indian, it is a great opportunity to work with such talents.

But, as a policy, I am not looking to grab work. I believe in myself, my talent and my determination – I am confident enough to rely on my potentials.

Is Sufi accepted in the west as well?

Sufi music is spiritual; it connects human beings – it connects the soul, it connects with the Almighty.

There is no language, religion or geographic boundaries for music, and I have seen so many artistes from the west performing Sufi music on YouTube.

What was one advice you received in your early days?

Not to choose music!

There were so many people who advised me not to choose music as a main subject. People see music as a form of entertainment, not as an income generating career. My family was also concerned.

But my mother is musician – she is my music teacher – and I wanted to be like my mother. Following my graduation, I even got a job as a music teacher at Cotton Hill Girls’ High School. Shortly after, I got an opportunity as a playback singer for a movie and, today, I am doing good – really good.

I have achieved most of my goals. I wanted to travel alone and I am doing that. I am recognised as a professional singer!

Where do you see yourself as a singer in the next five years?

I have always wanted to travel to see the world. I want to see the Northern Lights, but I will go with the flow. For, I am a spiritual person. I allow things to happen in their own course.

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Apart from Sufi, what music do you like?

I listen to all kinds of music, but I like classical and Carnatic too.

What is top on your bucketlist?

To see the Northern Lights.

What’s your favourite leisure activity?

Music is my life, it is my passion. If I am not busy with my music schedules, I will be online, teaching music to students from all over the world.

What is your favourite childhood memory?

Going to the salon with my father on his bicycle and eating ice cream.

If you were given a chance to make three wishes, what would they be?

If I have a next life I want to be in the same family as now. I want the same parents. I want to be a musician.

Yes, I already have my wishes.