Shreyas Puranik, Shivam Pathak, Rahul Vaidya, Swapnil Bandodkar and Vijay Prakash are just few of the names Padma Wadkar, a teacher and now singer, remembers when put on the spot. However, she has certainly taught many other famous names that she cannot remember instantly.

Wadkar, who spent most of her time teaching at the Suresh Wadkar Ajivasan Music Academy, recently released her debut album ‘Morey Piya’. The album is an amalgamation of melodious contemporary love songs by Wadkar, featuring singers Suresh Wadkar and Sonu Nigam. The music is composed by Shreyas Puranik, a young and upcoming composer, who is working closely with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The album consists of eight melodious love songs and was launched by Asha Bhosle and Ustad Zakir Hussain.

Excerpts:

Tell us about the journey of this album

Shreyas Puranik is a student at Suresh Wadkar Ajivasan Music Academy. Three years ago, he came to me with his composition. I really loved the tracks when I heard them, and gradually, we decided to record the tracks. At one point we even decided to upload one of the songs on YouTube. Eventually, we decided to record 8-10 songs and everyone around me said that the songs were brilliant and that we should document the work on a CD.

After some persuasion, we decided to release it as an album with eight tracks. Sureshji and Sonuji sang one track each on the album. Sonuji happened to hear my song through Shreyas, which was a title track and he agreed to sing a song on the album. After that the album took shape and then we decided it was time to release it. Then, we contacted Times Music and everything else followed. Luckily, Ashaji (Bhosle) was coming to our academy for an award function and we requested her to release my album.

How was it releasing your own album, as you always focussed on the academy and not your singing career?

I have always been teaching at the academy. I never tried my hands at singing publicly and if it was not for Shreyas I would not have done the album. He was adamant on not giving the compositions to any other singer as they already had my vocals. Shreyas is now working for Sanjay Leela Bhansali, so I told him if Sanjayji likes any of the compositions you can always give it to him and let another musician sing the track. He was kind enough to let me have those tracks, but I thought about making his music available through an album, which would be good endorsement for him.

Tell me about the duet with Suresh Wadkar on the album?

The song was originally a solo track, but we thought about turning it into a duet and asked Sureshji. I was sceptical about his contribution to ‘Birha ke Maare’, since he is a professional and I am only just releasing a debut album. However, he agreed and it is really great to share the mic with your Guru for your debut album. Then, Sonuji also agreed to sing, which was yet another surprise.

How did Suresh Wadkar encourage you?

For some recordings, he supervised my work, which was scary. He would tell me to do it again, and it is a big challenge to sing in front of your guru. He always encouraged and guided me on how to do things in a better way. Every recording has gone past him, and he has helped me at every step of his journey. The credit goes to him.

How did the lyrics come into picture?

Shreyas is amazing. He penned the lyrics along with composing the music. Saveri Verma has also contributed with lyrics in few tracks. He is very talented and I see a very bright future for him.

Will you sing for other projects if the offer comes?

I have not really thought about it. This album is for my students, family and all my well-wishers, who wanted me to sing. I had no vested interest when I did the album. If musicians approach me, I will see. I have not thought about anything. I hope that the album reaches as many people as possible. People cannot listen to me sing publicly, so they might as well hear me through the album. I will consider offers if I am comfortable singing the track offered to me.

Which musicians (students) are you close to?

Rahul Vaidya (singer) and Shreyas Puranik (music composer) are two musicians I am very close. Rahul has been in touch with me till date. If he is doing any new or interesting project, he will let me know about it. We are connected with things happening in each other’s lives. I consider it a blessing, being connected with my students. Shivam Pathak, Rahul Vaidya, Swapnil Bandodkar and Vijay Prakash are some of my other students who stay in touch with me.

Are your kids into music as well?

Both my kids are into music. My 15 year old gets up in the morning and does her daily Riyaaz. She is very sincere. My younger one is 6 years old, and also goes to learn music, but it is too early to comment.

My older daughter respects my husband and learns from him. I can even say she is a very good student. Even though they are learning music, we are open to their career choices. But the only wish I have is that I want them to take over the responsibility of the academy. I keep saying that I want them to built it and help the academy to grow. I have no objection if they decide to do anything else; it is welcomed.

What are you plans with the school?

The school is my future. I want to take the academy to another level which has a future in the music industry. It is a very responsible position to be in; as music should not be preached or created only for commercial value. It should flow from ones soul.