The dazzling fusion of multiple languages and cultures comes to life in the new single ‘Follow,’ featuring the powerhouse vocals of Shalmali Kholgade and the streaming sensation Bhumika Anantharaman. Shalmali, known for her iconic hits like ‘Balam Pichkari,’ ‘Pareshaan,’ and ‘Daaru Desi,’ teamed up with Bhumika to create a unique and inspiring musical experience.
‘Follow’ is a multilingual track that seamlessly blends English, Marathi, and Tamil lyrics with vibrant Afrobeat influences, urging listeners to follow their passions and dreams. The accompanying music video is a visual treat, showcasing the artists in stylish blazers with ethnic touches, beautifully reflecting their diverse cultural backgrounds. This collaboration not only highlights their incredible musical talents but also celebrates the richness of cultural diversity through music. The duo talked about their track in an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha.
Here are the excerpts:
Shalmali, you mentioned that meeting Bhumika and Pixl was serendipitous. Could you share more about how you all met and how your mutual love for Afrobeat sparked this collaboration?
Shalmali: I heard Bhumika’s voice on Lisa Mishra’s track “Aadat” and thought, “Who is this girl? Must connect with her!” I looked her up on social media, followed a few links, and eventually found her on Instagram. I sent her a message appreciating her work on Lisa’s track and asking if she’d like to write together sometime. She agreed, and months later, we finally met.
The day Bhumika, Pixl, and I met to write, we spent a while talking about what music we were into. I’ve been really into Afrobeat for the past five years or so. I’ve been meaning to explore Afrobeat with as many people as I can. Both Bhumika and Pixl also love Afrobeat, so we decided to go with it. We talked about our favorite songs. I told them how much I’d loved Beyoncé’s “Lion King” album. Around then, Bhumika hinted at Pixl if she should play a song she had written on a trip in the hills. I said, “Sure, let’s listen to it.” She played what is today the hook or the song – just the words “Where you go Id follow” were on it. I instantly loved it. We decided to work on it right then and there.
Can you both walk us through the creative process behind “Follow”? How did you blend Tamil and Marathi elements with Afrobeat, Amapiano, and Kutthu Paatu influences?
Bhumika: We had a feeling early on that we’d make an Afrobeat song. When we met, we listened to a lot of great Afro music. I already had a hook and beat ready from a few months ago. When we played it, it just felt right. We decided to mix languages, with English, Tamil, and Marathi, and it worked effortlessly. The best creations come when everything fits together naturally.
Shalmali: Regarding blending Tamil and Marathi, it all started as a fun idea. Bhumika said she’d like to sing in Tamil. On a whim, I said “then Il sing in Marathi!” And in hindsight we thought – why not? So, we started writing a melody. I knew I’d need help to write the Marathi lyric. But I knew what I wanted to say. Nikhil Mahajan came to the rescue!
The phrase “Where you go, I follow” is central to the song. What does this line mean to each of you personally, and how do you hope listeners will interpret it?
Bhumika: I created the hook “where you go, I follow” a long time ago. I liked that it was in English with a bit of Indian-style grammar, which isn’t always correct but sounds interesting. I didn’t want it to be a love song but more about following wherever life leads. It turned into something with deeper meaning rather than being superficial.
Shalmali: The word “Follow” was always central to the song. We realized this could mean a lot of things: following your dog, your lover, or even God. I suggested, What if we say, “I’ll go where the music goes”? Music is so important to us; it shapes our lives, personalities, and careers. Everyone in the room agreed. We decided to make this the central theme but not mention “music” directly. We wanted the audience to interpret what they wanted to follow, but we would write with the intention of following the music in mind. For me, these lyrics are very significant. Nikhil Mahajan, a dear friend who has supported my independent music career since 2020, wrote them. It’s been a struggle to get my independent music heard when compared to the songs I’ve sung in Bollywood. His lyrics reflect my deep love for music for independent music. Despite the challenges, I will continue on this path. These Marathi lyrics resonate with me so much that I listen to the song when I’m feeling low. It reminds me that I’m on the right path.
How did you approach the fusion of Tamil and Marathi cultures in the music? What parts of each culture did you feel were essential to include in “Follow”?
Bhumika: For the Tamil part of “Follow,” I worked with Prithvi. We had worked together on other records before, which were more traditional Tamil. For this song, I wanted a casual, spoken-word style in Tamil. This casual style connects well with the song’s rhythm and production, reflecting Tamil culture in a relaxed and cool way.
Shalmali: As a Maharashtrian, singing in Marathi and using this new way of singing in Marathi is what’s fresh to the music. Marathi music usually has a strong and sharp attack which is something spoken Marathi commands. But I’ve tried to take overrule that unsaid rule and change the flow of the words to suit the genre. I’m very proud that I could introduce a new way of using the Marathi language in pop music. It shows that Marathi can fit well into a pop context.
Could you elaborate on the techniques and instruments you used to merge diverse genres like Afrobeat, Amapiano, and Kutthu Paatu in “Follow”?
Bhumika: Combining Amapiano Afrobeat with Kuthu involved focusing on the rhythm section. Pixl & I had a challenging but enjoyable job blending everything, making it work across different languages and genres. I focused on the melody, aiming for a balance of soul and rhythm, and Pixl focused on the Rhythmic aspect of the beat. The result is a blend of cultural elements that still feels fresh and exciting.
Shalmali, you’ve described the song as a deeply spiritual prayer for you. Can you delve into how this spiritual aspect influenced the composition and performance of the song?
Shalmali: I’m not a very spiritual person in general. So, while working on this song, I was surprised by the emotions it made me feel. Usually, when we work on a song, we listen to it many times, trying to fix or change things, and it can get tiring. But with this song, I felt like I was in a trance. The lyrics, and the composition made me feel lost in the music. It comes from a deep love for music and the effort put into it. For the first time, I felt what people mean by spiritual music, or music that connects them to something greater. I’m very grateful to this song for helping me experience music in a new way.
Bhumika, you mentioned that “Follow” was created in upper Himachal Pradesh. How did the environment influence the song’s creation and recording process?
Bhumika: While in Himachal, I made several demos in the cold. “Follow” was one of them, initially just a hook with some Tamil parts. The final version changed a lot, but the demo process was about exploring different styles. I wanted the music to reflect various aspects of me, from Tamil film music to pop bangers.
What were some of the challenges you faced during the production of “Follow” and how did you overcome them?
Bhumika: Pixl and I had many ideas for “Follow,” which we explored thoroughly. This wasn’t a problem but part of our creative process. We ended up with new records and ideas from all our brainstorming. We carefully arranged and edited everything to make it cohesive.
Shalmali: We had heard the song in a certain production for a long time during production. Near the end, Bhumika and Pixl added a lot more layers to it. When I heard the new version, I thought, “Oh my god, this sounds so different now.” I wasn’t sure I liked it with all the extra layers. This was a big problem, but it was necessary one because we needed to hear the song in a different way as well. Sometimes, you feel like you haven’t worked on something enough to release it. Bhumika and Pixl wanted to see how far they could take the song. Finally, we muted some parts and rearranged layers. My role in production was mostly suggesting not to use certain parts and adjusting the mix, but overall, it was Bhumika and Pixl’s baby as far as production goes.
How was working together on this project? Any memorable moments or stories from the production process that you’d like to share?
Bhumika: Working with Pixl and Shalmali was fantastic. Pixl, a long-time collaborator, handled production along with me and engineering the record alone, while Shalmali was a perfect addition. She was great with deadlines and contributed creatively. The visuals for the song, also her idea, were amazing. Working with her was a lot of fun.
Shalmali: I’ve really enjoyed interacting with both Pixel and Bhumika. They are wonderful people whose nature and talent shine through in their work. I’ve learned a lot from them, especially because I sometimes feel out of touch with today’s culture. While they may not be completely in tune with it either, they are definitely more connected than I am. Thanks to Bhumika, I’ve learned a lot of new words and phrases people use today that I didn’t know before. So, through this collaboration, I’ve gained much more than just musical knowledge.
The song has just been released. What kind of reception have you received so far, and how do you feel about the feedback from your listeners?
Bhumika: The response to “Follow” has been positive. People appreciate its multilingual aspect and high quality. We all value quality, which is reflected in the reception. The cultural relevance of the song has been especially well-received.
Shalmali: It’s been a week since the song was released, and I’m really touched by how much people genuinely love it. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the reaction from the people who’ve really enjoyed the song. I hope it does well because I believe in it so much. It’s not just friends who are supporting us, but also new listeners and fans. The love for the song has been amazing. I always knew the song was special. Even though we’re not competing with big commercial tracks, we’re getting so much love for the music. Salim Merchant personally expressed how much he loved the song. We’re really happy with the way people are responding.
The song aims to highlight the rich diversity and unity of India’s musical heritage. How do you see “Follow” contributing to this narrative on a broader scale?
Bhumika: “Follow” contributes to the idea of unity in diversity. With parts in Marathi and Tamil, and influences from various cultures, the song celebrates India’s diversity. It’s a beautiful mix that reflects the variety of cultural inspirations we drew from.
Shalmali: We never intended to highlight India’s musical heritage, but in hindsight I’m so glad it does. India is incredibly diverse, with many languages and dialects, and this song mixes English, Marathi, and Tamil. I’m glad we could showcase this diversity through music.
How has creating “Follow” impacted you personally and artistically?
Bhumika: I’ve always wanted to create a song like this. “Follow” is a blend of fun and meaningful elements, depending on your perspective. It can be a dance hit or have sentimental or spiritual value. I’m excited about the artistic exploration in combining Tamil with pop influences.
Shalmali: For me, the biggest takeaway from creating Follow has been the spiritual aspect. It’s uplifted my mood time and again. I want to do more work that gives me this feeling.
Can we expect more collaborations between you two in the future? Any upcoming projects that you would like to tease?
Bhumika: Pixl and I are eager to work with Shalmali again. Collaborating with her has been amazing, and she brings a unique magic to her performances. We have a sequel to “Follow” in the works, which I’m looking forward to.
Shalmali: I definitely want to work with Bhumika and Pixl a lot. I love Bhumika’s voice and her composition skills.
What advice would you give to young artists who are inspired by your ability to blend different cultural and musical influences?
Bhumika: For emerging artists, the best advice is to be honest and true to yourself. Embrace your own culture and let your authenticity shine through. Being genuine allows you to define what’s good on your own terms, and showing vulnerability can be powerful.
Shalmali: I’m not sure I’m in a position to give advice, but I’d say if something feels right and excites you, go for it. If it resonates with you, it will likely resonate with others too. Don’t just follow formulas—make sure what you’re creating feels good to you.
Who are some of your musical influences, and how have they inspired your work on “Follow”?
Bhumika: My musical influences are diverse, ranging from Santosh Narayan to Charlie XCX. Growing up with various genres has shaped my music. I love how my influences come through in my work, blending different styles and cultures in a unique way.
Shalmali: Recently, Beyoncé has been a big inspiration for me, especially her work in Afrobeat. Her song “Find a Way Back” from the Lion King album influenced me and my collaborators. We love her music, and it has definitely inspired our work.
Read More: Shalmali Kholgade And Bhumika Anantharaman Talk About ‘Follow’: ‘It Celebrates India’s
