New Delhi (India), March 22: “It is always a pleasure to perform in India as this is the land of my forefathers”, said singer Shashika Mooruth, whose journey in music is a story any author would want to write about. “My forefathers were transported as indentured labourers in the 1860s from British India to South Africa to work on the plantations.”
Shashika performed at the Swarlata concert on Saturday, 18th March 2023, at Shri Shivaji Mandir Theater, Dadar, in Mumbai. Produced by Tarannum Musicals and Smithari Production, the show was a special tribute by Shashika to Lata Mangeshkar, whose songs became her lessons from childhood when she had no musical training.
“Her voice is truly divine, and she is a blessed soul,” said a patron at the concert. “Her beautiful kirtans have sustained me in a very difficult time of my life. I waited 5-6 years to hear her live, and it was truly worth all the years of wait.”
Interestingly, it was Kishore Kumar who encouraged Shashika to come to India. Shashika was just twelve when the maestro heard her sing on his tour in South Africa in the 70s, and he not only introduced her on stage in his concert but also told her father that she was born in the wrong country and should be in the ‘Bombay’ music industry.
“I loved singing from the time I was born, but we had very little to no infrastructure for musical training, and the Hindi language was already quite forgotten by the generation before me. I am a late starter in vocal training, but I never gave up or quit. “Lataji is definitely an inspiration for many singers, and I still listen to learn, as her every song is a challenge and unfolds so many techniques and nuances that are valuable for a singer to know.”
Shashika’s works in music under her label Urja Music are hugely popular on digital platforms. Her albums have been charted on iTunes and the US Billboard Chart. Her skills as a motivational speaker and her inspiring workshops also keep her on her feet. “I wish to reach out more with my workshops in India. We need to keep motivating one another as life is becoming more and more stressful and complicated for many. I value the Indian culture and tradition one hundred per cent and will never want to trade them for any western values. More and more, westerners are imbibing India’s spiritual and cultural way of life. India has a dearth of wealth to share with the world, and we should cherish it always. I look forward to more events in India and meeting music connoisseurs. I have many followers for my music from India on my social media handles. I want to meet all of them in my concert too.“
Shashika’s forefathers went from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to South Africa. She was unable to trace her family due to incorrect documentation but she wants to spend more time in these states and contribute to the land of her ancestors.
Know more about her at www.shashikamooruth.com
