Singer Priya Saraiya, wife of Jigar from Sachin-Jigar duo, has composed some of the most popular Bollywood songs and even lent her voice to some soulful numbers like “Saibo”, “Sun Saathiya” and “Bezubaan” among others.

Having been in the industry for quite some time now, Priya has been nominated in the Best Singer category several times along with the likes of Gulzar and Javed Akhtar.

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In an exclusive conversation with thestatesman.com, the singer revealed her special place for penning down lyrics for songs.

“This is a secret now. (Laughs) Most of my songs I have written in an auto rickshaw. I have written Saibo and many songs while commuting. I prefer going to the studio by rickshaw, rather than taking my car. So I think the rickshaw really inspires me to write.”

Her husband is also a popular singer, we asked her if she has ever felt overshadowed by her husband’s fame. She didn’t hesitate to say yes, and explained its positive side.

Hers is the voice behind songs like Saibo, Sun Sathiya and more. And everyone today is humming her songs.

“It feels great, especially when we perform on stage and the crowd is singing along with you. That is something that you can’t express. It is an amazing experience,” the singer said.

One crazy fan moment the singer experienced!

“There was a girl from Gujarat, she came to me after the show and asked for an autograph on her back. I was surprised as it was a girl. I was wondering why would a girl come to me asking for an autograph on her back. So yes, I think fans are crazy,”she said.hWhenen you come to know that you have been nominated in the Best Singer category at awards?

“Amazing! To get nominated in itself is a very big achievement. At a very young age I’m getting to experience all these things and most of the times I have been nominated where great singers like Javed Akhtar, Gulzar have also been a part of the nominations. Just to get the name over there is a big deal for me,”

She is the wife of a popular singer. Did she ever feel that his fame might overshadow hers.

“Definitely! Yes, there is competition. But the competition is about improving each other. When I look at him, I feel that he is so passionate about his music, so dedicated towards it, spending long hours in the studio, working on one single beat just to make it sound right. So that dedication is something which drives me to work harder. I think that is what inspires me.”

Nervous while recording a song?

“Yes! I do feel nervous. When you are performing on stage in front of your fans, it is a different experience, but when you are in the studio and so close to the mic, you can even hear your breath and your lip movements are captured. So you have to be particular about each thing. You have to breathe correctly, pitch correctly. So definitely, you tend to get nervous.”

But complex issues with each other is passe now.

“These days’ people are more chilled out. I don’t think that feeling is there anymore because I see Sona Mohapatra and Ram Sampath, and a lot of my fellow musicians. They are all very chilled out. Jigar and I are also like friends and we tell about each other’s mistake. I tell him if I don’t like anything and vice versa. We take it in a very positive way.”

And the singer names her favourite singer.

“My favourite singer is Sunidhi Chauhan. She is so versatile and she can sing any type of song.”

What is the hard work that goes behind making a song

“It’s a team work, so if you ask me about my role, it is less as compared to the arrangers or the music composers or the person who is producing the track. They have to work for 14-15 hours to get the beats and melody right. I don’t have to struggle as much as they do. Everything is ready for the singers, like melody, lyrics. They just have to sing it.

Now that actors have also started singing for their films, are singers being sidelined?

“No, I don’t think so. We have had people like Kishore Kumar who was multitasked. Madhubala used to write, Manoj Kumar used to write so well. It’s okay till the time you are doing justice to your work. It is completely okay for the actors to sing.”

When asked about her future plans of singing English songs, she said, “Yes, why not! I would definitely take up any opportunity like that.”

And the singer spoke candidly about reality shows — are they doing justice to the budding talent. We don’t see many of them pursue a career in singing.

“That is a short term success that these people get. Once their show is on they become popular, but to sustain in this industry is actually when the show gets over. At that time their hard ship actually begins. But these reality shows are important at the same time because they are showing our youth that being a singer in not a bad thing.

“I remember when my mom used to come for shows with me, my relatives used to tell her that you are out with a girl till night. So now, these reality shows have changed the perception of the Indian parents. They are taking music and dance seriously; they are not ashamed of their daughter being a dancer. It has done very well for the Indian audience.”