Tech Savvy Youngster Wins Hearts With Bolly-Odissi Fusion Number

Bhubaneswar: With technological advancements, one barely needs to invest too much into one’s passion. This is what TV reality show, ‘Dil Hai Hindustani’ runners-up, Barnali Hota believes. She released a rendition of the popular item number ‘Dilbar’ on Sunday.

The music video also features Roshni Naik matching Odissi steps with the song. On the fusion of Odissi with ‘Dilbar’, Barnali clarified, “Blending classical with Bollywood or western is no offence. Rather I respect people who try to do something different.”

Roshni, a third-year Computer Science student of KIIT University, prepared the dance in a day’s time. She said it was a great experience. “Initially I thought it might spark a controversy but there has been no adverse reaction so far, which means I can look forward to more such experiments,” she added.

It took Barnali a week to complete the project, which is a part of her #Rawvocalsession that she has been working on since the last few weeks. “I don’t go to any studio to mix or master my vocals. I record my own voice using an app and just give a little reverb which makes me self-sufficient,” she added.

The Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2011 contestant said she did not spend a single penny on making the video. “Of course, I pay for the tickets at the locations I choose,” said an elated Barnali.

While travelling around the state, she met some artistes who had wasted their talent for lack of finding a platform. Recording in a studio requires a lot of money for shooting and post-production work, she said.

Through these music videos, she wants aspiring artistes to know that with a little bit of effort and zest, they can create their own platform. “One only needs to be a bit tech savvy,” she added.

Earlier this week, she had released a rendition of ‘The heart wants what it wants,” originally sung by western pop star Selena Gomez.

Barnali set a milestone last year as a lead playback singer in a Bangladeshi film. Two of her albums, Maa and Aarzoo were also released the same year.

The 18-year-old singer is now pursuing graduation at Shanti Niketan in Bolpur, West Bengal and intends to continue such renditions.