'I started loving myself more after singing Sa re ga ma'
Sukhwindara Singh is a man of contrasts -- confident and humble, looking ahead, yet, deeply rooted in tradition. He also has no qualms admitting that what he is doing may not be the best -- not always, at least. He said as much when he came for the Rediff Chat. But one thing is for sure: we are going to hear a lot more from him, in the coming years.
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:40 IST)
Hi everybody, I'm here to attend to all of you. I wish to talk to you, I want to be closer to you.
Karl (Mon Dec 6 1999 5:48 IST)
Sukhwindara, I love you :-) you are the best :-) why did you change your name?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:41 IST)
Karl: There is only a little bit change of 'ara.' But I don't feel comfortable if somebody calls me Sukhwindara Singh:-) I feel good to hear Sukhwinder Singh or Sukhi.
Nightangle (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:38 IST)
Hello Sukhwindaraji -- Why can't you sing songs like Abhijeet, Kumar Sanu or Udit Narayan?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:45 IST)
Nightangle: Because producers consider me a versatile singer they expect a very different melody from me. There are some songs which are so common, but even then you will find the Sukhwindara style of variation in these songs. Of course, it will still be easy-going and interesting. This will be evident in Deewane which is directed by Harry Baweja and has music by Sanjeev-Darshan. Also, you must have heard Ruth aa gayee re (1947: Earth) which was not loud.
Balwinder (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:45 IST)
Sukhvindaraji: I read your interview in Rediff. By the way, what were you doing in Europe for so many years after Khilaaf?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:48 IST)
Balwinder: I have the mind of a student and always feel something missing in me -- and that is, music lesson. I was busy abroad not for enjoyment of any kind but because of I was in learning. Wherever I heard good music I would be there. It's the same even now. But now I am absolutely a regular in Bombay/Madras and you can say in India.
Bozo (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:47 IST)
Sukhi, why not sing what YOU want? I think since you've already struck stardom, you can afford to choose.
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:50 IST)
Bozo: I am doing that, but sometimes I am pretty much bound by the situation of the film. But I think I should do what you have told me. I am continously trying and in future, I should think about only this. Thanks for reminding me:-)
Kiran (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:50 IST)
Dear Sukhi, What made you start singing? I think you got my question.
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:53 IST)
Kiran: Happiness. When the first melody entered my vocal chords, at that moment I felt that I had been born for this. And I also felt I started loving myself more after singing Sa re ga ma pa dha ni sa.
Balwinder (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:52 IST)
Mr Sukhwindara Singh, I suppose you got a break at very late age. Is it very frustrating for budding singers to get break at very late age?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:57 IST)
Balwinder: I got a break in the music world when I was four years old, that was the first break. When I got the music in me. One shouldn't think how much time it will take to come on top. One should thank God, for getting this gift of Ma Swaraswati. So I don't feel how much time it took. Moreover, I feel comfortable thinking that my first break happened when I was four.
Kiran (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:57 IST)
Dear Sukhi, I've heard that you are composing a new English album, is that true?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:1 IST)
Kiran: It is for the worldwide market, it isn't nescessary the whole album will be in English language. I think I will be concentrating more to make it easy to listen to. First of all, I thought the language will work but suddenly I decided the melody will work better and that I would prefer to sing good lyrics. It could be in many languages, but finally, it should be in the one language of music.
Bibhu (Mon Dec 6 1999 6:59 IST)
Hi Sukhwindara, I am a great fan of yours just because you have a unique style of singing, among the new breed of singers. Tell me, why don't you try your luck doing some tubthumping numbers yourself instead of always (forgive me, please) depending on A R Rahman for big hits? All of your fans know that you have enough potential and talent to give even bigger hits!!! Please be kind enough to answer this single question of mine. All the best for your future, keep smiling, keep singing. Bye for now, lots of luv, bibhu.
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:4 IST)
Bibhu: I am very much dependent on my fans. Either I am doing work with Rahman or independently. But with Rahman too, I feel independent. There is no difference if I am making my own melody or I'm doing it with ARR because whatever I am doing is to make all of you happy. I think this is my duty since I have got a gift from God.
Mudit (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:1 IST)
Sir, Mudit has a question for you! What kind of music do you like listening to and singing the most???
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:5 IST)
Mudit: The kind that touches my heart.
Pavan Jha (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:2 IST)
Sukhwindaraji: Can you tell me something more about the album which you are doing?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:9 IST)
Pavan Jha: Indian music has become very familiar all over the world. This is the right time to convey message about our culture which is the richest. We have Indian classical music behind us. We will have to make it by the way of the heart, not by the mind, not by the way of business, we should enjoy it and we should concentrate on doing something better. As for the rest, leave it to your fans. I am trying to make an album these days with this idea in mind. I hope it works.
Naina (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:9 IST)
Sukhwindaraji: Lata Mangeshkarji said recently that the composers of our time are only music arrangers and not real composers. Can you comment? Also, why aren't the music composers able to achieve what yesteryear composers could?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:13 IST)
Naina: Because we left our old home and entered a new one. But we have not been able to move out of the old house completely and haven't been able to settle down in the new house either. And I hope now the time has come when everything will settle down and the series of genius composers will start again. But we have A R Rahman who at least is doing a good job. I wish the others would do the same.
Prem (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:12 IST)
SS Sir, do you know how to play any musical intruments? If yes which ones??
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:15 IST)
Prem: Yes I can play the guitar and the synthesiser and I can programme the rhythm section, but I don't want to use my energy in more work. I have other activities in music, I want to concentrate on them.
Pavan Jha (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:7 IST)
Sukhwindaraji: How do you cope with your family life after your work? I am sure your wife must be abusing bgecause of your timings?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:17 IST)
Pavan Jha: Artistes should not get married. If I'm asked which is the biggest mistake I have made, I'd say it's marriage! But now it is my duty to continue. May she let me be free:-) Otherwise my fans are going to lose their Chhaiyan chhaiyan singer. But but but...
Goldie (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:15 IST)
Sukhwindaraji: What is your contribution to Punjabi music...I mean, you are not singing too many Punjabi songs and are concentrating more on filmi numbers?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:20 IST)
Goldie: I will have to think about your question. Like I want to do something very special for Punjabi music, because it has excellent melody. But I will try to avoid all the bullshit that some artistes are doing in the name of Punjabi music. But I am thankful to those artistes who are trying what I want to do, though there are very few.
Pavan Jha (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:20 IST)
Dear Sukhwindaraji, Can you tell us how long will the Punjabi lobby in the film industry promote their culture in films? After all, India has other states too -- why don't you all popularise the songs from other states? You see lavani is dead, so are many other state cultural songs...When will you give up that practice of killing other regional music?
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:29 IST)
Pavan Jha: Folk never died. Let me try the lavni and other forms. It is the excesses which give trouble -- which is what's happening with Punjabi folk. Thousands of Punjabi songs are coming out -- but you will find only one or two are good. The others are all rubbish.
Sukhwindara Singh (Mon Dec 6 1999 7:35 IST)
I wish to get your wishes and I wish you all the best. I also wish not to dissapoint you all. Bye...Happy Millennium. Between January and March, I am coming up with new dream music for films like Lagaan -- which is being produced by Aamir Khan and has music by Rahman while my favourite person, Jhamu Sughand is presenting it. There's also Water directed by Deepa Mehta, and an album which will be released at the same time. It has a surprising title with melodious music and there will be a great singer from Hollywood along with me.
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