Power Voice: Shalmali Kholgade

Trained as a classical singer and moonlighting as a jazz vocalist, Shalmali Kholgade has established herself on the Bollywood music scene with a powerful repertoire of work in the last year alone. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’s bhaang-fuelled Holi anthem was the cherry on the cake, Kholgade’s voice exuding an earthy sensuality that drives you into euphoria. This is the song a million sangeet nights are made of.

The year in review: “This year I designed my first music concert which I toured with in the US recently. To be able to put all your resources together and build a team of entertainers who make a show successful was definitely a big achievement for me.”

Most memorable performance of last year: “The show in San Jose on my US tour. The audience enjoyed every minute. There were moments of complete silence and connect. We as Indians are too used to loud noises. What surprised me with this audience was the appreciation for the silence between two lines.”