MUMBAI: Born in Dubai and brought up in the US, the ‘Hullaa Re’ singer, Rasika Shekar, did not take music seriously when she was young. Instead she went on to become a chemical engineer, while continuing to train in Carnatic music. By the end of her last training year, she realised that music mattered to her more than anything else and hence moved to India a couple of years back to learn Hindustani classical music.

Her interest seeped into music courtesy her family. Shekar's grandmother was an A grade violinist at All India Radio. “When you have music in your family, you either take it seriously or you kind of learn in the process. Also when we shifted to the US, my mother found a flute teacher for me. So training was a part of my life until I came to college and met different musicians. That is when I felt that music had a very strong impact on me,” said Shekar.

While she was learning Hindustani Classical music, she met the musical trio Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy and debuted in Bollywood with the song ‘Lambuda Kakka’ for the movie ‘Dekh Indian Circus.’ The songstress was also featured on MTV Coke Studio with Ehsaan and Loy for the track ‘Man Patang’ as a flutist.

Shekar has sung the track ‘Sau Aasoon’ from the Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut starrer ‘Katti Batti.’ The music of the film is composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy and the lyrics are penned by Kumaar. “I was told to keep it very simple as my song in the movie comes at an emotional juncture. I was asked to go with the emotions. The track demanded a simple and neat approach,” she said.

Shekar keeps travelling to the US not just to meet her parents but for her ghazal concerts as she is a vocalist for Ghulam Ali Khan.

Describing the tour experience with him as monumental, she said, “Initially I was very shy to even speak to him as I would get tongue tied in front of such a big legend. But then as I started touring with him, I realised that I am yet to learn a lot. I observed every minute detail about him, whether it was his on stage appearance or his behaviour with people,” she said.

The singer is also working on her single and has a few other assignments in the pipeline.