Father Pius encouraged me to pursue music: Shilpa Rao recalls Loyola School Jamshedpur days after winning National Award

Jamshedpur, September 24: “Our Principal Father Pius always encouraged me to pursue music. He told me that academics are important, but if I wanted to participate in music competitions, I could take leave,” recalled National Award-winning singer Shilpa Rao, as she returned to her hometown Jamshedpur after receiving the National Film Award.

Rao, who bagged the 71st National Film Award for her soulful rendition of “Chaleya” from Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster Jawan, described her school days as the true foundation of her musical journey.

The award was presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 23. Speaking at a press conference in Bistupur the following day, Rao reflected on her path from Loyola School, Jamshedpur, to Bollywood’s grand stage, and from countless hours of practice to national glory.

Calling it one of the proudest moments of her career, Rao said, “Receiving the National Award from our President was surreal. It is not just recognition of my singing but of the entire team that created Chaleya. When you stand on that stage, you feel the weight of years of effort, training, and the support of so many people who believed in you.”

She credited her family, friends, teachers, and hometown for shaping her into the artist she is today. “It takes a village to raise a child, and my village is Jamshedpur. Everyone here supported me and celebrated my journey,” she said with gratitude.

The singer revealed how the opportunity to perform Chaleya came about. “Shah Rukh sir personally called me from his office and said that Anirudh (music director of Jawan) is doing the music and I should connect with him. The moment I heard it’s Anirudh, I thought let’s do something fresh. When he sent me the song, it immediately felt different. I enjoyed singing it thoroughly,” she shared.

Rao also fondly recalled meeting Shah Rukh Khan during the awards ceremony. “There are very few occasions when you can wish someone and they can say the same thing back. We congratulated each other saying ‘same to you’ because he had also won, and so had I. Awards are not about individual glory; they are celebrations of everyone’s hard work,” she said.

When asked why she is a favorite among music directors, Rao humbly pointed to her discipline. “When you stop resting and start working every day, you learn something new each time. For Chaleya, my first meeting was about the shuffle pattern. If you don’t know what a shuffle is, you have to learn it, practice it, and put it into your pocket. Even though it’s a love song, it needed that rhythm. Unless you keep learning constantly, you can’t create something fresh,” she explained.

Her routine, she added, involves long nights of listening, practicing, and exploring new music. “It’s hard work, but it’s fun work,” she said with a smile.

Rao confirmed that she has more projects lined up with Shah Rukh Khan and is also collaborating with Yash Raj Films. Though tight-lipped about details, she assured fans of exciting tracks ahead.

She expressed interest in experimenting with new genres, particularly hip-hop. “You cannot eat the same food every day; similarly, you cannot sing the same type of song again and again. Variety keeps music alive,” she said.

Reflecting on her Loyola School days, Rao grew emotional. “Father Pius always believed in me. He made it clear that academics are important, but he also gave me the freedom to explore music. Without that support, along with my parents, my brother Anurag, and my friends, this journey would have been very difficult. Loyola was my foundation,” she emphasized.

Rao urged aspiring singers to go back to the roots of Indian music. “If you want to be a good musician, learn music properly. India has rich traditions of classical and folk. Please go to a teacher, put your phone aside, and use your heart. That is the only way to grow,” she advised.

She also expressed her willingness to collaborate on projects promoting Jharkhand’s folk music. “If someone sends me a good song within my range, I would love to sing it. My mind is always open to new ideas,” she said.

On controversies like Besharam Rang from Pathaan, she remarked, “No song becomes a hit because of controversy. For a song to succeed, it must be well composed, well written, and well executed. That’s the formula.”

She also brushed off online trolling with positivity. “I love everyone, even those who troll. Criticism is part of life. At the end of the day, what matters is whether the song connects with people’s hearts,” she said.

When asked about artificial intelligence in music, Rao was pragmatic. “AI should reduce labour, not replace people. I’d love AI to do my laundry or wash dishes! In music, if it can help me tweak production or adapt sounds, I am open to it. Technology isn’t bad—it’s how we use it that matters,” she added.

Closing her interaction, Rao gave a heartfelt message to aspiring musicians. “I cannot give shortcuts to success, but I can say this—learn music with dedication, stay away from distractions, and give yourself time. Hard work and honesty will always pay off,” she said.

As she basked in the love of her hometown, Rao reiterated that her roots in Jamshedpur and the encouragement from Father Pius at Loyola School remain the cornerstone of her success. “This award is not mine alone; it belongs to everyone who stood by me. If I can achieve this, the youngsters of Jamshedpur can too,” she concluded.