Music has a way of binding generations together. Singer Zanai Bhosle understands that now more than ever. The singer has joined A R Rahman, as he takes his The Wonderment Tour across the US. She is collaborating with the maestro, with whom her grandmother Asha Bhosle had teamed up three decades ago for the iconic album, Rangeela (1995). 

“When I found out about the possibility [of working with Rahman], I was out of words. At the same time, I felt a huge responsibility because Rahman sir has crafted such beautiful melodies and my grandmother has delivered such perfection in her songs. I didn’t want to fall short,” starts Zanai, 23. What gave her confidence was Bhosle and Rahman’s faith in her. “They both said that I should sing in my own style.”

She performed at The Wonderment Tour’s opening concert at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on May 3. “That day was a life-changer. Both songs I sang were well-received by the audience and I had a huge sense of relief, happiness, and accomplishment.”

Since then, Zanai has been rehearsing relentlessly with Rahman’s group. Having worked closely with the composer, she says about him what everyone does — that his creations are “magic”. Every musician evolves over time, and so has Rahman. 

When we ask how he is different as a collaborator, compared to what she heard about him from her grandmother, she says, “There can be no one like Rahman sir. Anyone who is around him will automatically be inspired to be a better musician. Every minute you learn something new.”

An equally strong influence on Zanai is her grandmother. “The one thing I learnt from my grandmother is to be individualistic. She says, ‘Sing like yourself and do what you think is right.’”