Nowadays, women are influencing music industry, unlike in the past: Shilpa Rao

As an artiste, it’s beautiful to see the audience connect with your music. Everything we create is for them, and when they sing and vibe along with us, it feels like everything has come full circle,” shares Shilpa Rao, who has kicked off 2025 with Edho Pesathaane, a melody she has sung with actor Siddharth for the movie Bun Butter Jam. Interestingly, the song marks actor Vijay Sethupathi’s debut as a lyricist! In an interaction with us, the Kaavaalaa singer shares how women are influencing the music industry these days, why she wants to keep pushing boundaries and her preference for in-person recordings over virtual ones.Excerpts:
‘THINGS ARE SLOWLY BUT SURELY CHANGING FOR FEMALE SINGERS’
As a female artiste, one of the most important changes I have noticed is the greater exposure and opportunity for women in this field. When I started out, there were fewer places where women’s voices were given importance. I’ve noticed a change towards the breakdown of stereotypes over time. Things are slowly but surely changing for female singers. I hope we continue to move towards a space where stories and narratives are created that are fair and beneficial for all genders. These days, women are leading, creating, and influencing the music industry in ways that were uncommon in the past.
‘Vijay Sethupathi and Siddharth are incredible; I admire their work’

I didn’t get the chance to meet both Vijay Sethupathi and Siddharth while working on this particular song, but I’ve met them earlier, and those were memorable experiences. They are very knowledgeable, and our conversations covered topics like music, art, acting, and even food. We talked about how art has the power to bring people together emotionally, and they shared their thoughts on storytelling and how every form of art ultimately aims to connect with the audience. They are incredible artistes whose work I admire.
‘I CHOOSE TO SING A SONG IF I CONNECT WITH THE TUNE’
My process for choosing a song is very simple. I listen to the tune, and if I connect with it, I decide to go ahead. That’s exactly what happened with Edho Pesathaane. I will never forget the experience of recording it. Composer Nivas K Prasanna and I discussed the feelings expressed in Vijay Sethupathi’s lyrics, as it was more important to feel every word and allow that passion to resonate in my voice.
‘I WANT TO KEEP PUSHING BOUNDARIES WHILE STAYING TRUE TO MY ROOTS’
My current aspiration is to continue evolving as an artiste and explore new musical landscapes. I want to collaborate with diverse talents, experiment with different genres, and create music that deeply connects with listeners. Beyond that, I want to contribute to the growth of the music community by supporting emerging artistes and sharing what I’ve learnt over the years with them. I want to keep pushing boundaries while staying true to my roots, ensuring my music continues to inspire and resonate with people across generations.
‘IN-PERSON RECORDINGS PROVIDE A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT’
There There is a huge difference between virtual and in-person recordings. I prefer recording in the studio with the composer and the music team. These recordings provide a dynamic environment as everyone, be it the engineer, producer, or composer, participates and exchanges ideas in real time. It encourages a more natural flow of creation. You can start experimenting, adjust your emotions, and work together to figure out what suits the song best.