SONA MOHAPATRA, 30, singer
Buzz: Fresh soul-rock compositions, earthy appeal, international gigs
Make it mantra: Sing from the heart. Being thick-skinned helps!
Sona Mohapatra fits the conventional image of a star – pretty, spunky and impeccably groomed. But what would really upset her detractors is the fact that she also sounds like one. Her debut album SONA is a blend of contemporary and ethnic sounds with nuances of Romani gypsy music, R&B, east Indian baul, Flamenco and north Indian folk rhythms. From the Spanish-influences of Bolo Na, a song about fragmented relationships to the old-world charm of Abhi Nahin Aana, which gives voice to a girl who is enjoying the wait for her beloved’s return and the Rajasthani folk flavours of Aaja Ve, her voice has a warmth and mellifluous appeal to it. She has that undeniable ability to connect with her audience through her songs, which are “personal journeys.”

Sona, who holds an engineering degree as well as an MBA, has been performing since the age of six and has trained in Hindustani classical for over a decade. But she didn’t exactly have it easy when she decided to pursue music. “The hardest thing to accept is that most people find an independent-minded woman intimidating. I can’t overcome it, so I’m hoping the world will get over it soon,” she exclaims. But she has managed to find that elusive formula to success. “It takes a thick hide to be successful in my field. Talent and vision also help.” A global gypsy, her music has taken her to London, Singapore, Dubai and New York and she draws inspiration from books, architecture, design, food and history.

In both, her music as well as her personal style, she hates conforming to any set standard and would rather rely on her own sense of what is hip – which incidentally earned her a nomination as a Style Icon for the MTV Lycra Style Awards held in October 2007. Of the belief that individuality is hip, she’s biased towards clothes that make a statement. Staying far away from busy patterns and over-embellished ensembles, she values comfort and prefers bold, solid colours, structured forms and clean lines. Rajesh Pratap Singh, Sabyasachi and Anand Kabra are among her favourite designers.

The last year has been hectic what with her collaboration on a track called Let’s Dance with the legendary David Bowie that will be part of a Bollywood film later this year. She has also worked with INXS on their track Afterglow and on other collaborations with Hard Kaur, Rishi Rich and Tiger Style. Looks like this year will be just as packed for her. She’s busy working on her new album and “playing at every possible venue on the planet” with her band. As Sona puts it, she wants to get “closer to the flame”. If her recent achievements are any indication, this artiste who insists that “it’s sing or perish” for her, is definitely not going to get burnt out.