My top 10 musical influences - Heeral Chhatralia

My family: I have grown up in a house where everyone loves music, and whatever time of the day, whether we were in the house, in the car, or out and about, we would be listening to music or attending a concert. So my natural interest in music is a credit to my family, who have surrounded me by it since I can remember!

Lata Mangeshkar: I think every Indian female singer would credit Lata Mangeshkar as an inspiration. I have been singing her songs since I can remember and still try to sing her songs every day for practice. It is always a challenge to learn her songs and singing them really tests you, and teaches you a lot as an artist.

Asha Bhosle: Again, I think every Indian female singer would credit Asha Bhosle as an inspiration and influence. If Lataji teaches you sweet singing, Ashaji teaches you to be more soulful. I love singing all genres and learnt so much about versatility by singing their songs.

Shreya Ghoshal: Not to sound repetitive, but I also think every Indian female singer would credit Shreya Ghoshal as an inspiration and influence. Shreya Ghoshal’s voice control is an inspiration. I am envious of her training and that she found her calling at such a young age. Her experience and hard work is a huge credit to her. I love singing many of her songs such as Rozana, Sun Raha Hai and Hasi.

Sunidhi Chauhan: If Shreya Ghoshal can teach you sweetness, Sunidhi Chauhan can teach you to be soulful. Some of my favourite songs are those where Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan have collaborated on the track – such as Manzoor E Khuda and Koi Patthar Se Na Maare. Sunidhi Chauhan’s live performances are an inspiration – she is one of the best live performers I have ever seen and her singing is flawless!

Sukhwinder Singh: I can say that Sukhwinderji has been an idol of mine since I can remember. One of my favourite songs of all time is Chaiyya Chaiyya – it is something I grew up listening to. I have been his fan from the moment I heard him. Though he never trained as a singer, I am in awe of the way he delivers feeling and power through his songs. I really hope to meet him and hear him sing live one day.

Arijit Singh: I think everyone knows and loves Arijit Singh! There is no one in the new generation that can deliver feeling and emotion, and sing as flawlessly and effortlessly as him. He can sing any song and hearing his voice on a song just takes the track to a whole new level. If I had one goal as a singer, it is to be the female version of Arijit Singh.

AR Rahman: He is one of, if not the, best risk taker in the industry. Every song he releases is completely different, yet beautiful in its own way. Somehow you can still always tell that this must be an AR Rahman composition. He also seems so humble, introverted and dedicated to his work. I love his songs, old and new, and singing them teaches me so much technically, including to sing in the Tamil and Hindi languages.

Amit Trivedi: I love music director Amit Trivedi’s songs. They are so different to anything the other music directors put out, and every song is so soulful that it is a treat to sing. I love singing his songs and would love to sing one of his tracks some day.

Rishi Rich: Being born and brought up in the UK, I grew up during the UK Punjabi scene listening to Rishi Rich’s music, as well as Juggy D, Jay Sean and Dr Zeus. Having grown up listening to his music, I was so happy when I saw him transition across to the Hindi film music genre, which was another big part of my childhood. I would love to have the honour to work with him one day.

Heeral Chhatralia is a UK-born singer, who recently collaborated with British singer Junaid Malik on the song Phul Javan Duniya.

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