Five years ago, Falguni thought it time to strike it out on her own. ``It was a challenge to get my own troupe of musicians, dancers, sound engineers and compere together because I had to start from scratch. It was hard work. Rehearsals for this festival start almost two months in advance and then we rehearse continuously. I did not expect my first performance with my new group to be so successful - people just kept asking for more.'' And there has been no looking back since.

What does she attribute her success on the dandiya circuit to?
``I don't know - I do not think I am a good singer so you will have to ask the audience that question. I believe dandiya is popular because it is based on folk music and the audience is able to connect with it easily.''

In its current avatar as disco dandiya, how does she retain the folk content?
``There was a time when garba was confined to the Gujarati community and was sung along with dhol and shehnai. Today, its popularity has gone much beyond that, because it has been adapted to modern music and tastes. When I had been called to perform dandiya songs in London last year, I was surprised to see a packed hall. I do sing film songs during dandiya programmes but I have still retained the folk element in my songs. I always start the programme with five songs devoted to Mataji, in whose honour the garba is held. Besides, most of my songs, like the popular Odhni Odhu or Manhisagar Ni Are, are Gujarati folk songs.''

What kind of an experience was her first Indipop music album?
``Polygram had approached me in 1997 for an album which was originally to comprise of Gujarati dandiya songs. When that did not work out, they thought of bringing out an Indipop album for which I would sing. Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi was a wonderful experience. The music has been directed by Lalit Sen and the lyrics have been penned by Sameer. Again I did not expect it to be as popular as it turned out to be.''

Is the tomboy image deliberate?
``I am most comfortable this way and have always dressed in this manner. It is not deliberate - this is my style and perhaps I am successful because I am different.''

What does she have lined up next?
She plans to have more such songs on her plate in the near future but is tight-lipped about her immediate plans. ``I shall always continue to perform live shows. There's a certain type of excitement in sharing a rapport with a live crowd that is incomparable to studio recordings,'' she says.