We cannot predict what song will become a hit

One of the most recognised contemporary singers of the country, Kona's done it all -- music albums, stage shows, playback songs, jingles, and videos. The bright young star talked about her varied career and shared her insights on the music industry:

You have done many playback songs in your career. How is   the process different from working on a single or an album?

Kona: The only difference is that for a single or a music album I am free to sing in the manner I find best, but playback songs in films are composed to suit the script, and the director decides in which tone the singer must sing, including various cues such as singing happily or with sadness to relay the character's emotions.

What defines a great composition? What do you feel the audience responds to more in order to ensure the popularity of a song?

Kona: We cannot really predict what song will become a hit with the masses. There are songs that I have sung thinking they'd become popular, only to see that they did not generate the response I had expected. And there are songs that are easy to sing, without much effort invested into its composition which we feel won't do really well. For example, one such song I have sung was for the film “Boss Giri,” which to my surprise became a mass favourite.

What makes a song timeless to you? How can we produce music that will last through the ages?

Kona: A song becomes timeless when it's remembered, and usually this occurs many years after its original release. I am sure that we are producing music that will be just as great in the future, but there is no way to know what they are unless we allow that time period to pass through. In other words, we must be patient and wait to find out.

You began your career with Nazrul Sangeet before transitioning to adhunik and pop music. How did the shift taken place?

Kona: There was really not much of a shift; I learned Nazrul Sangeet to receive classical training and come out as a strong singer. However, my target has always been to produce contemporary music. Nazrul Sangeet has given me a wider berth to learn from, and my training has helped greatly in my career.

What are your goals for the future? What are you working on now?

Kona: I am working on quite a few fronts. My music video will release soon, and after that I will be working on two more. I do not set massive goals for myself as I love my work, and I am happiest when I have more projects to work on. I have always believed in working hard, and that the fruits of my labour will take me to wherever I need to go.