The Stage, India’s only English singing competition on Colors Infinity witnessed a nail-biting climax.Many who watched the show each weekend was hoping that their favorite would emerge winner. Did you also lay a bet on who would win?

‘The Stage Season 2’ came to an end with 21-year-old Sharvi Yadav being declared the winner. The young singer from Noida struggled through the whole contest to bag the trophy.

A grade five Trinity College of Music Distinction, Sharvi is also a pianist. She has learnt Jazz Program under Berkley College of Music and Manhattan School of music graduates as well. Shravi takes home a shining Renault Kwid, and a record deal with Universal Music.

Thousands of aspiring artists from across the country, participated in a series of online and on-ground auditions, but it was Sharvi who competed against the best of the best to win the coveted title.

Sharvi, managed to always stand out with her exceptional singing and flawless performances. Despite losing her voice for a year, she beat all odds and could be seen gunning for the win, from the moment she stepped on the stage by keeping the competition at her heels and the judges on their toes. Week on week, judges on The Stage, Vishal Dadlani, Ehsaan Noorani, Monica Dogra and Devraj Sanyal not only appraised the performances of the artists but also helped polish the rough edges of their singing and harness their best performance.

Verus Ferreira met up with Sharvi for an exclusive interview a few hours after she won the title. Excerpts from the conversation. 

Congrats on winning The Stage Season 2. How does it feel to win the title of The Stage 2?

Thank you so much. It feels quite overwhelming to take back so much home apart from the title. I’m taking back so much love from the nation; I’m taking back appreciation from the top musicians in this industry. I feel I have a responsibility towards all of these people, to make more qualitative music.

Who do you think was your biggest competitor in the competition?

Abhishek, Arunaja, and John, were my biggest competitors. Though each and every co contestant had something unique about their voices, it was really hard to even predict who would get eliminated in the next round.

Do you think the selection of songs which you performed played a big part in showcasing your vocal range?

Absolutely. Every song that I sang was different. I had to be versatile to sing and get through each and every round. A lot of the songs I sang showed my vocal range, from songs like Creep to Don’t stop me now, lower ranges to higher range. I wanted to show the nation all that I have and my song selections made sure that I did just that.

Who do you think is responsible for your success in winning the title?

No doubt- my teachers- Tracy Fernandes, Lima Kichu, Julie Hill, and Vasundhara Vee. It’s for this reason that I value the student- teacher relationship the most. Teachers are the guiding light in your life and without them I wouldn’t have done this.

Who are your favorite singers / musicians?

I listen to lots of old music. I believe to know or study about anything, it’s imperative that you go to its roots. I focus on old blues and jazz and classical music. I also listen to lots of instrumental pieces, because I feel it’s important to musically grow alongside vocally improving.

Can you tell us something about your childhood and how you got into music?

So my brother used to follow Sonu Nigam when he was a kid. There was a point in his life where he once said to me ‘Golu, I want to put his picture in our temple’ Seeing his passion towards music, I started listening to Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan. I started singing lots of Bollywood songs. Then when I was in the 6th grade, my western music teacher Tracy Fernandes asked me sing any English song and I sang Let there be love ‘and to my surprise she loved it. She was shocked. She asked me to join the school band and that was my first and biggest push also because I was the youngest of the lot in the band.

Have you won any awards in the past in school or college? Can you give us the name of the school and college you attend / attended?

I’m from Somerville School, Noida. It’s a Christian school; we would sing lots of Christmas Carols and hymns. My school supported my music all throughout. I was my school’s cultural captain because of my music. ahhh, too much I owe to music now, don’t I? I would go for inter- school competitions and would win group and solo singing awards. I did my graduation from Sri Venkateshwara College, Delhi University. I formed my band ‘Sylvia’ in my second year. It’s a three piece band comprising of Anuj Agarwal (drums), Ananda Dhar James (guitars) and myself on the vocals. I was also a part of the college’s music society Crescendo, and we would go for lots of inter college competitions and would get home a lots of prizes.

What level of education are you presently doing?

I just graduated with Commerce this year from Delhi University. I’m a First division B Com (Hons) student. Now that college is over, I’m in Mumbai trying to take my musical career forward.

What are your future plans academically and musically?

I don’t have any academic plans at the present because I just want to focus on my musical career right now. But, it’s also my long last wish to study law. Musically, I’m planning to learn Carnatic music and I am also teaching myself how to play the guitar.

There was a rumor that you had a problem with your voice? What happened?

Oh, it’s not a rumour at all. I lost my singing voice almost a year a half back and it was the hardest part of my life. I started having problems with my voice when I used to go for college fests. After one competition, I wouldn’t be able to sing for the other. My voice would go and my throat would hurt even when I wasn’t talking. My teacher Julie Hill noticed that something was wrong and asked me to get myself checked. The doctor gave me medicines for months and it still wouldn’t heal. After a few months I got to know that I was starting to develop nodules. It was really difficult. I was on a perpetual voice rest for a year. I was moving on thin lines. The doctor said if my voice didn’t heal then I would have to get a surgery done. Being an extrovert and a loud personality throughout my life, it was my biggest task to be home all the time, not talk as I was told to be on a voice rest, not go out and meet people because if I did I would eventually tire my vocal chords out. It mentally broke me down. My only solace was music and yoga. I would wake up early every day, do yoga, listen to lots of music and read. This was my new life. I had basically become a saint.

Now that aside you have won yourself a Renault Kwid, Do you know driving?

After winning the title, people would congratulate me on winning the Renault Kwid, and my response to them would be hilarious- “I don’t even know how to drive a car.” I’ve started taking driving lessons now, thanks to my win!

You would now be the envy of many young lads in your neighborhood.

More than envy, the people around me- my friends, my family and even strangers who I don’t know are happy for my success. They appreciate my music and it’s only because of the people of this country that I am who I am right now. Who is an artist without any audience?

Do you have a boyfriend?

I love answering personal questions haha, I don’t have a boyfriend. I’ve never really been a relationship sort of person. I’ve always focused on music a lot. I’ve fallen in love a few times, I’ve had a few heartbreaks, but I don’t really understand why people in love have to date? Why label everything we feel?

Any favorite judge from the show?

With all due respect, I cannot choose because they all have helped me in so many different ways. I have idolised Vishal (Shekhar) for the longest time, his music, his voice, his persona, everything, and when I sang in front of him for the first time, I couldn’t believe my eyes. And when he joined me in singing Creep’ I shivered. I pinched myself a zillion times to only realise that it’s all real. Ehsaan (Noorani) is the smiling sun. He smiles at you………..he’s always so motivating and always so sweet. He’s the epitome of humility. Monica Dogra is my soul spirit. Her vibe, her music. her genuine care for you makes you feel home. Devraj (Sanyal) is the nicest man I’ve ever met. He will make you realise that you’re worth the handwork and that it will pay off eventually. He makes you have faith in your own self.

Has any singer influenced you musically?

Bobby McFerrin and Ella Fritzgerald have been my biggest inspirations. Ella’s music helped my voice when I lost my singing voice and Bobby McFerrin defines music in the purest if ways for me.

Living in Noida, Hindi speaking state, was it easy for you to learn English and sing in English? Were there any attempts to stop you from doing what you liked?

It wasn’t really difficult to learn English and English songs. I was from a Christian school and most of my music comes from there. Infact my first western songs were hymns and Christmas Carols. It was also a little funny because all my friends would listen to Honey Singh and I would listen and sing the complete opposite.

What are your hobbies?

I love playing with dogs, meeting new people and getting to know about their lives and their stories, I love reading books, I love watching movies and I love jotting my thoughts down in the form of poems and songs.

Your birth sign?

Oh I’m the crazy one…..Piscean.

What is your message to your teenagers who wish to make a career in music?

My message to the teenagers would be very simple. Follow your passion, always. Know that you have the ability to conquer anything and everything in the world. But also be aware of whats happening. Before going into any profession, music for example, be aware of what you’re getting yourself into. Go into the death of it and don’t be enamoured by its outside glamour.

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira