Singer-actor Monica Dogra, who is one half of the popular Mumbai-based electronic duo Shaa'ir and Func, says art and music play a very important role in terms of activism.
"Art and music play a very important role in terms of activism and in changing the cultural climate for issues which are normally irrelevant to the privileged. That's what I think is exciting about it," Monica told IANS.
Monica, who has been vocal in her support to India's LGBT community, says she feels responsible to "mainstream" certain issues in society.
"There is a kind of dissonance when people hear the word mainstreaming... it is a touchy subject. I feel a responsbility to mainstream certain issues because then it just becomes a world issue rather a niche issue... These are not easy things to ignore when you are talking about confiscation of basic human rights," she added.
Monica, who released her debut solo album "Spit" earlier in January, says she is happy with the response she has received thus far.
"The reception for the album has been pretty good. So far I haven't heard anything back, because I need 45 days for the analytics to come back, but press has been really kind. I did a whole bunch of listening sessions around the cities, music videos are trending nationally. It's been great," she added.
Next, she says, comes an "immersive show", which will involve theatre and dance.
"I am building an immersive show to take my performance in a different direction. It will have theatre and dance elements. However, it needs time and finances to assemble everything. It's a priority for me," Monica said.
Monica, who will be next seen in "Teraa Surroor" opposite singer-actor Himesh Reshammiya, says she is in a phase career-wise to "make art that looks really wonderful and gets the platform it deserves on the internet".
