RJ Shilpa Natarajan, the music presenter with Chennai Live 104.8 FM, is also an independent songwriter and playback singer. She was a part of the Airtel Super Singer’s first season (2008) and that was her first step into the Tamil music industry. Shilpa, who has trained in both Carnatic and western classical music, started training under her mother Maheshwari, followed by Vijayalakshmi Subramanian and Shuba Ganesan. In March 2017, she released an Extended Play ‘Bubblewrap’ with five English and two Tamil tracks.
What’s your Chennai connect?
I was born and raised in Madras.
One thing about namma ooru you fancy?
I love the beach.
A Chennai-based celeb or any personality whom you would like to date or go out with?
I would love to go out with actor and currently the talk of the town Oviya. #OviyaArmy
Three things here that can’t be found in any part of the world?
The molaga bajji, beach-side fish cutlets and appalams
Your favourite hangout spot?
Sathyam Cinemas, definitely.
Three stereotypes about the city and the people that make you roll your eyeballs?
We are good at maths, we do not speak English, everyone from Madras speaks Malayalam
Where would you take a person who is new to the city? Why?
To the beach! The bay should be a must-do on any new person’s bucket list. It’s a wonderful sight and a gorgeous thing to feel!
What would you do to prove someone that you are a true Chennai vasi?
I would take them to one of the kaiyendhi bhavans and eat kotthu parota.
Two words in Madras bashai you would teach a newbie?
Mokka and gabbu.
A Tamil movie dialogue which describes Chennai?
Vanakkam vaazhavaikkum Chennai, pudikkudhunnai unakku eedu illaiye (song line actually)
Two things from Chennai that you would take to any place you travel.
The beach and the food
If you had to draw a comparison between Chennai and any other city or country, what would it be? And why?
Chennai is home! That’s about it. No other place can be home. The city keeps you warm, comfortable, annoyed at times, but still happy!
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever wanted to do in the city? And where?
I’ve always wanted to sing from the lighthouse.
If you would like to install another statue in Marina beach, what or who would it be about?
It would be that of a powerful woman. Someone who shows spunk, who tells the world you can’t mess with them, and that there’s no place for sexism or misogyny
Describe the city in your own words and style!
A world of its own
(as told to Thushara Ann Mathew)