I’m still an outsider, says Sumedha Karmahe

It’s been a long journey for Sumedha Karmahe. Having started her career in music as a contestant on the singing reality show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa over a decade ago in 2007, she only got her due after the song, Toota Jo Kabhi Tara (A Flying Jatt) released in 2016.

“I came to Mumbai with only the dream to be part of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Then, I reached the top 5 slot. I had always heard ‘Mumbai ko agar aap apne dus saal de do (if you give ten years to Mumbai), the city will give you everything that you have desired. So, I remained patient,” the Nazm Nazm singer shared with AFTERhrs in a telephonic conversation. Karmahe will perform in Udaipur tomorrow along with the music composer duo, Sachin-Jigar. 

“I come from a very small town, Rajnandgao. I knew nothing about the industry; I was just an outsider… I still am. Music composers call you, make you record a song and when the song releases, you realise that it’s in someone else’s voice. You feel disappointed, which is what happened with me between 2011 and 2015. I even thought of quitting everything. But I didn’t, I kept doing singles, videos and independent music,” she added. 

Karmahe feels that while Bollywood music is for fame, independent music is for one’s soul. “Independent music gives you the freedom to perform the way you want to, sing the way you want to; you can convey anything to your audience. Film music, on the other hand, gives you money and fame because people in a large part of the country follow Bollywood as religion. I still do independent music because that is for the soul,” she explained. The singer will soon release a series of videos and will also record a few covers on her fans’ demand. 

Although she acknowledges the fact that Bollywood music helps a singer earn, Karmahe would never croon double-meaning songs. “I remember complimenting Neha (Kakkar) when Aao Raja, which is a dance number, was released. I like peppy and party numbers and would even like to experiment with them. But singing double-meaning songs is not my choice,” she revealed. 

After the long journey to establishing herself as a playback singer, Karmahe also became a jury member on the same reality show, where she once performed as a contestant. “I still get nervous on that stage and it’s a strange feeling. I could relate to contestants’ feelings and nervousness while performing. So, I have been a little biased while judging them,” she revealed.

Karmahe has been to the desert state many times but found time only for her performances. “I have done many shows, private gigs, and festivals in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. But I have never toured the state. I went to the City Palace and shopped the last time when I was in Udaipur. I really hope I get the time to shop a bit this time around (laughs),” she said before signing off