Pulling the Right Strings

Sitar player Neha Mahajan is living the dream as an artist. She recently got to collaborate with Ricky Martin on his latest album, Pausa—which has now bagged a Grammy nomination. In an exclusive interview with Cosmo, the 30-year-old opens up about the experience, the maestros who inspire her, and the songs she loves to sing in the shower...

- Humra Afroz Khan

Cosmo: What was your reaction when you heard from Ricky Martin’s team?

Neha Mahajan: “When I received a call from Mireille, Ricky’s associate, I didn’t believe it at first... I thought it was a prank call. I was so skeptical, I even ended up asking her, ‘Why do you want me to play for this song?’ She said, ‘Erm, because it’s beautiful music’. I jumped for joy once I found out she was being serious!”

C: What was it like, working on Pausa?

NM: “I learnt and grew so much because of this experience. My Sitar-raga music is a purely wordless communication, and to pair it with a song with lyrics—with a soulful voice like Ricky’s—certainly expanded my imagination. And Pausa speaks largely about the need to love unconditionally, which is immensely relevant for me.

As for Ricky, he is a very sensitive person, and believes in the things he contributes to the world. I learnt about being humble from him...and also about believing in your art. Working with him inspired me to practise more and be in better shape, musically.”

C: When it comes to music, who is your biggest inspiration?

NM: “Baba Allaudin Khan. He is the founder of Maihar Gharana and an incredibly versatile musician. He embraced world music and produced a unique Indian identity through his understanding and talent. I am an ardent fan of his commitment to music.”