I’m a DJ by choice,” says Sneha Agarwal. The 23-year-old comes across as fresh and inspired as any youngster, and is fiercely independent about her career space. Invited to be one of the judges for the recent War of the DJs competition that took place at High Time at GRT Grand, the Kolkata girl is all praise for what she has seen so far.

“Chennai has a lot of talent. I’m sure everybody is going to do great,” she smiles. Then adds nervously, “I’ve told the organisers I don’t want to judge,” she wrings her hands, “I love playing my music, but putting other people down is kind of difficult for me,” she confides seriously.

So what is Sneha’s kind of sound? “Oh! House every time,” she beams. “I started out with hip hop when I was learning how to work a console in college, but once I heard EDM, I just couldn’t get enough.”

Interestingly, this lady DJ is an accountancy graduate. “But DJ-ing is my passion,” she clarifies. “I mean this is what I choose to pursue as a career.”

For conservative parents, who think the idea is hogwash, Sneha has already proven that the profession can bring in some serious business.

“In two-and-a-half years, I’ve been to 10 cities — just to party,” the EDM-addict is radiant. This includes a few international trips as well. Asked about unpredictable crowds while travelling and Sneha thinks for a moment. “When I was playing at Kenya a few months ago,” she recalls, “I noticed that the resident DJ at the club was mixing in a lot of Bollywood tunes — that was a big surprise!”

The biggest perks of the job have to be the travel and that it can never quite get routine. Sneha states, “This is why I haven’t considered a regular club gig, I’d rather freelance and take each show as it comes.”

And when on the job, this DJ makes it a point to dress the part. “Hotpants,” she giggles. One has to admit, hotpants and headphones do make a lethal combination.

Also, the number of female DJ in the country being so few, it takes an easy guess to figure that Sneha has several lady proteges and others on the waiting list. She giggles in response, “Well a lot of people in general post me messages on Facebook, requesting lessons.” She goes on, “But I always refuse,” and smiles, “I just want to play my music.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Sonali Shenoy, ENS / July 18th, 2013