If you just strike a conversation with playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, you will understand her simplicity and her voice that has put this beautiful vocalist in the spotlight of Bollywood music industry.

Ghoshal's dedication to music made her win the SaReGaMaPa contest. Her  Bollywood playback singing career began with Devdas, for which she received National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer along with Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. And now she is performing all over the world and captivating audience with her charming personality, ability to connect to audience instantly and above all her soulful voice.

Ghoshal talks about kids as she is currently judging Indian Idol Junior along with music composer duo Vishal-Shekhar. She has earlier judged child contestants in Musical Talent Show ‘Voice of India - Chhote Ustaad’.

Excepts:-

How is the experience of judging kids?

Judging reality show for kids is fun. I have worked in 'Chhote Ustaad' also where I had a great time. These shows are beautiful because of the fluency, ease and magic with which the kids perform because it is fulfilling and touches one's heart. It is a lovely experience to hear them singing at this young age. It also helps us to learn from them and it is spectacular to have such a talent on the Indian Idol Junior platform.

What is the quality of singers at Indian Idol Junior?

The opportunity given through the show has allowed the talented kids to turn out in large numbers. It seems like all the children were waiting for it to happen. There is this excitement among young talent. At their age, they feel they have to wait till they grow up to get this opportunity but they have now received the platform to showcase their talent. I am uncertain if the show is different from other shows but what I enjoyed about the show is that the kids have got great voice. It is not the judges who define the show but the kids who are participating. They all are so super-talented and spectacular that it will be a tough job for us as we will have to break our heads.

Are you a lenient judge for kids?

I am not a brutal person and I don’t dislike anything very easily. Kids are so innocent and cute; there is always a bias towards them. Kids are unaware of their innocence. They are unaware that if they are talented or not and they just sing without much of a thought. Even if he/she is an average singer, I will not hurt them by my words as their performance at this young age is such remarkable in itself. It is a god’s gift to them.

I can’t ever imagine telling them anything as I imagine myself at their place. If I was a kid what would I have done and what would I have sung.

In fact, Vishal,Shekar and me were talking among each other that when we were kids we were unaware what we wanted to do in our lives. But the kids who are participating are very strong, passionate and have set their goals in life. We as judges encourage all these good activities of kids.

Do you think kids today face a lot of pressure from parents?

Sometimes parents have seeded in their children the idea to sing. We never missed a chance to explain the parents to keep things light on kids and not to force them into stuff. We met parents in the backstage or waiting area and explained them that kids should not be pressurized so much that the child hates music. Music should come as their first love and should not become a burden on them. But in the end, it is up to the parents to decide the way they treat their kids.

I would like to tell parents that firstly they should allow kids to grow and let them enjoy their childhood and give them the opportunity to play. I also strongly believe that it is better to train kids before they are bought on a platform like this to perform. A half trained kid is unready to perform and might have a failure which he is not ready for.