Initially, trained under Ustad Fazlul Haque, she went on to Bulbul Academy and also trained under the eminent singer Kalim Sharafi.

Shama is greatly inspired by all the categories of compositions in Rabindranath's Geetbitan and feels that every composition of his, reflects a moment in our lives. Especially Pooja (Prayers) and Barsha (Rainy season) inspire Shama. 'We all pray in our own ways,' she said. 'But Tagore certainly had a way with his prayer songs. They are very inspiring and clearly show the dedication he had towards the Creator.' Continuing on this line, she said, 'Listeners sometimes find it difficult to differentiate between the compositions of Pooja and Prem (Love). Rabindranath's love for his Creator is sometimes mistaken for affection towards a beloved.'

Shama's favourite time of the year is the rainy season. 'I love the rain and it really inspires me to sing more passionately,' she exclaims. 'Tagore has composed a wonderful series of songs complementing the season and I try to sing them with all my heart.'

Shama grew up listening to the legends of Tagore songs. 'I used to listen to Dwijen Mukherjee, Konika Banerjee, Debobrato Biswas and many others, ' she says. 'For a while I was really influenced by these personalities and taken in by their styles of singing. After a while, when I grew mature enough to develop my ideas and thoughts, I eventually built up my own style of singing. I think every artiste has this in them and the original style comes out at one time or the other.'

Speaking of the fusion mixes and the remakes of Tagore compositions which threaten to come out and distort the authenticity of these songs, Shama feels, that, Tagore songs can never be distorted. 'Tagore songs can never be distorted in any way, no matter how much you try,' she said. 'These songs have been here for ages, and a simple remake or a remix can never wipe it off completely. Even though I despise the idea of breaking the Swaralipi provided by Rabindranath himself and remaking his compositions, I do appreciate the fact that a lot of different work is being done by the young musicians today. I myself would like to experiment with Tagore songs with simple piano works or the acoustic guitar.'

'Tagore still lives, and would go on living,' smiled Shama in conclusion.