‘Training I received early on has influenced every piece of music I’ve made’: Gingger Shankar

With violinist, Pandit Dr L Subramaniam and classical singer Viji Subramaniam for parents and Lakshmi Shankar for grandmother, one can only imagine the rich musical milieu Gingger Shankar grew up in. Did we mention she is Pandit Ravi Shankar’s grandniece? It’s little wonder then that world’s only woman double-violin player has such an impressive repertoire as an artiste. Gingger points out, “I was exposed to many kinds of music as a child because of my mother, so, I decided I had to learn them. I started with western classical piano and vocals. Then I started collaborating with other artistes, which helped expand my musical palette and how I approached writing and performing.” She went on to work with the Smashing Pumpkins, Katy Perry and performed in a few operas and has dabbled in electronica, pop, rock and world music. 

Gingger’s roster also includes co-composing and performing on Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, writing and playing on Charlie Wilson’s War, Jackie Chan’s The Forbidden Kingdom and so on. In India, she had a release in Monsoon Shootout directed by Amit Kumar last year. More recently, she composed Shuru Karein Kya? for Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Article 15. The singer talks about her musical lineage and projects. 

What was composing Shuru Karein Kya? like?

I’ve been a fan of Anubhav Sinha’s work for quite some time; so, it was a thrill to work on this track. My longtime collaborator, Devin Parker, and I wrote it. As the world gets smaller and we are surrounded by people who don’t seem to respect diversity, it is important to speak up as artistes and do something meaningful with our art. 

Internationally, you have an enviable discography. Why such few projects in India?

I don’t know! I’m such a fan of the music and film scene here. There are so many fantastic composers and artistes who are pushing boundaries and creating interesting music. I’m coming to Mumbai in September and will collaborate with some musicians.

When you started out, were there expectations to follow Indian classical music? 

Of course! Especially since that’s what most of the family did. The training I received early on was invaluable and it has influenced every piece of music I’ve ever made. That being said, I’ve learned so much working inside and outside of that system.

What about the pressures of belonging to the family of luminaries?

Coming from such a rich musical legacy presented a lot of pressure growing up. You get lost in wanting to be like or sounding like someone. I think at some point, that pressure turned more into inspiration and a drive to be something unique and to have my own voice. Now, I see it as a blessing.

Any chance of collaborating with Anoushka Shankar? 

We haven’t yet. Who knows what the future holds! 

What else can we expect from you in the near future?

The Last Hour (Amit Kumar’s series) will premiere next year. I’m also producing and scoring a documentary called Akicita: The Battle of Standing Rock directed by Cody Lucich, which follows the story of one of the biggest Native American uprisings in the US. I’m working on my own album as well.