"As Long As Music Evokes Emotion, It Will Find Ears": Vasundhara Vee Reflects on Her Musical Journey

Vasundhara Vee, one of India’s leading voices in the revival of RnB, Soul, and Jazz, has captivated audiences with her powerful and authentic sound. In a candid conversation, she reflects on her musical journey, her collaboration with Sabyasachi, and the evolving music scene in India. With a unique blend of soulful vocals and deep emotional connection, Vee continues to inspire and shape the future of music in the country. In a exclusive interview with Lokmat Times, Vasundhara opened up on her musical journey and her role as a mentor to upcoming musicians and her connect with acclaimed designer Sabyasachi.

You were part of the 25th-anniversary celebration of the acclaimed designer Sabyasachi. How did your collaboration with him come about, and what does it mean to you to be a part of such a significant event in the fashion and music world?
I had previously sung for the Sabyasachi 2023 Autumn/Winter campaign, and we were already connected and thinking of musical projects in the past. I was thrilled to be invited to perform live on the 24th and also create the finale song for his big runway finale on the 25th.

For any artist, ideology is central. As a woman, I deeply appreciate how he represents feminine energy. The public has loved the brand for its emphasis and constant depiction of strong women. It’s an immense honor for me to celebrate Mr. Mukherjee’s artistic greatness, his ideology, and his ascension into a global brand.

As one of the leading voices in the revival of RnB, Soul, and Jazz in India, how do you see the genres evolving in the country, especially among younger audiences? What role do you think artists like yourself play in this musical renaissance?
As long as music evokes emotion, it will find ears. Recently, at one of our shows, a jazz listener in his 50s came up to me and said, “You’ve filled half this hall with college kids, how did you do it?” All I know is that I’m singing what fills my heart, and that spills over onto other people—age no bar. The internet has leveled the playing field, and tastes have opened up a lot. My role is to stick around and do what I do until the day I’m still standing.

Think for a moment—if the regional rappers had given up their craft 15 years ago, what would have happened? Their time has only come NOW. The reason we have great regional rap poets today is that they just stuck around and stayed ready with their craft. Without that persistence, we wouldn’t have had the industry we do today in that genre!

Can you share some of the artists or experiences that have influenced your style of music, especially in blending RnB and Soul with Indian music traditions?
I’m not really a fusion singer. This collaboration with Sabyasachi Calcutta was my first attempt to sing in Bengali and English together and make it sound like one unit. Before this, I sang the song ‘Besuri Mi’ by Ajay-Atul from the movie Ved. Ajay Ji’s encouragement really helped me stay more open to this kind of experimentation.

Mostly, I’m invited to bring my vocal tone, which is deeper than most women’s, and my R&B/Soul vocal inflections into these languages. It creates a slightly different sound, and I’m grateful that people have liked these experiments.

You are also known as a Voice Optimization Coach. How does your work in coaching musicians help them build a stronger, more authentic sound? What advice would you give to aspiring vocalists looking to improve their voice?
I work with professional singers, actors, and comedians who have vocal strain or are recovering from vocal injuries after long tours. I work in conjunction with their doctors and speech therapists to bring them back to full form for their tours and recordings.

All my physical processes reset the voice and remove social programming from the muscle memory of the body. Often, for the first time, these artists get to know their ‘REAL SOUND.’ This has a deep and very freeing psychological impact, in addition to giving them many coveted skills like increased range, increased power, endurance, and vocal agility.

I would tell young singers to experiment freely with their tone and voice quality and, most of all, NEVER to strain their throat to create any sound. The hardest screams, the fastest lines, and the highest notes can be sung with zero strain if your technique is good.

With a diverse portfolio that includes songs like “Dhaakad,” “Besuri,” and tracks from Bandish Bandits, how do you approach selecting projects in the playback space? Is there a particular type of character or narrative you feel most connected to when performing?
I am generally called to depict strong female characters and give a powerful vocal performance to mirror them. Empowerment, joy, healing, and finding personal power are the core values of my singing. I choose work that reflects these values because every release is out there in the world forever. I want it all to reflect my soul and my values.

Your book, Big Dreams, Bold Choices, serves as a guide for emerging professional musicians in India. What do you believe are the key challenges young musicians face today, and how can they overcome them to create a lasting career in the industry?
We are living in the age of authenticity, even though we are filled with people selling illusions on social media. On the ground, this young generation knows what is authentic. Artists struggle with staying authentic due to the pressures of show business and the perceived rat race. I keep telling all the artists I work with one thing: Every kind of fame has a flavor. You have to choose yours. Is it quick and fad-oriented? Or is it timeless? Is it provocative and aggressive? Or is it about calmness and effortlessness? Is it oriented to a certain community? Is it about high art or formula music? Success has genres, just like music. Once you know your genre, you will build the right team, take the right steps, and also feel truly happy in the process. This is the only healthy way, according to me, to have a long and happy career in the arts.