He is often referred to as India's best playback singer. But Sonu Niigaam, 35, says his sole agenda in life is to die a happy man -- not to be known as the greatest singer ever. He talks to Sarita Ravindranath about his new album, Classically Mild, his stint on television and his decision to cut down on playback singing. Excerpts:
You've teamed up with A R Rahman after five years for Jodhaa Akbar. How has the experience been? In spite of both of you delivering some memorable hits together, do you regret that you've done so little work with each other?
Rahman has been working very little in the last five years. And me, too. Which is why we've never had a chance to work together. I've taken a conscious decision to cut down on playback singing to do other things that excite me.
Like?
I will be bringing out an album of Rafi songs with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in June, and in April, I will be out with my first Kannada album.
Since you mentioned the Kannada album, did the huge success of the song Mungara Malaye - and your subsequent hits in the Kannada industry - surprise you?
It was shocking. It only confirmed my belief that if you did anything with honesty and sincerity, you will taste success.
We often hear about how much effort you put in before you record each song. In your title song for Mungara Malaye, you apparently asked for minute details about how the song would be picturised - the clothes the hero would wear, the setting, etc. Is that something you do with every song?
No, not always. I did that out of instinct. True, I am always looking for ways to add value to a song. But I wouldn't ask for such specific details for every song for the sake of asking.
I don't believe in handling every song the same way. Art is about passion, moods, mood swings... It should never get monotonous. I don't like to maintain uniformity or approach every song the same way. I believe in going with the flow .
Does it bother you when you're constantly referred to as the best playback singer in India, as a legend -- considering you're relatively young...
No, praise doesn't bother me. It's flattering. By the time I was 30, there were at least 10 people who were trying to copy my style. I find that very inspiring. At the same time, my agenda in life is not to die as the best singer in India. I want to die a happy man. So, though singing is my prime focus in life, I also want to grow spiritually and do things that interest me.
So, is there a sense that you've achieved all you could in playback singing?
Playback singing had become very monotonous and boring for me. I was doing the eight-songs-a-day routine, walking in and out of studios all day. Which is why I'd like to cut down on that and focus on doing things I enjoy - even if they are outside music.
You shot to fame with television - as host of Zee TV's Saregama. And though you earlier judged Indian Idol, we're seeing a new avatar of you on Li'l Champs. You've mellowed, and this is probably the only show on TV where the judges don't fight!
When Zee approached me to judge this show, I was very upfront. I told them that if they were looking for Sonu Niigaam, the dramatic judge, I was not in. I said I would not fight with my co-judges, or make declarations asking all my fans to vote for a particular contestant - however huge be the amount of money they paid me.
I also insisted that my co-judge be Suresh Wadkar. Sureshji has a tremendous knowledge of music, and is one of the best teachers we have. He's capable of teaching me music. He's also a man who's humble, not insecure and has absolutely no pretensions.
We both want the show to focus only on music and are genuinely concerned about the kids. We're not here to play favourites or mind games with the kids -- Playing mind games with adults is bad enough, but with children, it can be a crime.
Like Sureshji, would teaching be something you want to do at some point in your career?
I've already done a bit of teaching at a personal level. Sunidhi Chauhan is one singer who always says she learned the art of singing at a high pitch from me. I still consider myself a student of music, and currently, I don't have the time to turn to teaching. But yes, I would want to impart my knowledge of music to others before I go away.
Coming back to TV shows, the angriest we saw you was when Amey Date was voted out in the second season of Indian Idol.
Yes, the voting system irritates me. A good singer like Amey didn't deserve to go out on that day. But with Li'l Champs, I've realised that if you stay positive and focus on the music alone, the audience will follow you. Sureshji and I make it a point to explain and clarify each of our judgements. So the audience vote on this show has been closely tied to our comments.
You did a fantastic show -- Life ki Dhun -- on Radio City two years ago. Any plans to return to radio?
Thanks. I enjoyed that, and some day, I would like to club a Radio and TV show.
Five of your favourite Mohammad Rafi songs would be...
O Duniya Ke Rakhwale (Baiju Bawra)
Din dhal jaaye haaye raat (Guide)
Man Re Tu Kahe Na (Chitralekha)
Tumne Mujhe Dekha (Teesri Manzil)
Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat (A ghazal, written by Ghalib)
And your five favourite Sonu Niigaam songs?
Satrangi Re (Dil Se)
Yeh Dil Deewana (Pardes)
Kal Ho Na Ho (Kal Ho Na Ho)
Mere Rang de Basanti (The Legend of Bhagat Singh)
Sandeshein Aate Hain (Border).
Does it bother you that some of your best songs -- like that little gem from Dev, Tujh Sang Bandhi Dor -- are not your most popular numbers?
That's because those songs are not marketed well. They are never shown on television, never played on radio. And I would blame music companies for this because they are only interested in making money and have no clue about music. I wish there were a clause in the constitution that said that only those with in-depth knowledge of music could open music companies.
There have been rumours that you've had some nasty run-ins with some top music companies...
No, that's not true. Fortunately for me, they need me more than I need them.
Are you worried that your new album Classically Mild is too heavily classical to become a hit with the youth?
No. Good music always sells, especially if you package it smartly. And even in the days of bad music, classical music always had an audience. You just have to look at the success of Nusrat's albums to see that.
How has the music industry changed since the days you began singing?
There are more opportunities now. You can package yourself as a performer, and can become a star overnight by appearing on the numerous talent shows on TV.
Is there anything in your career you wish you'd done differently?
Yeah, I wish I'd chosen a better movie than Jaani Dushman to launch my acting career.
And in your singing career?
No. No regrets.
Some of your favourite music directors you've worked with....
Anu Malik, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and A R Rahman. Both Anuji and Rahman have given me a wide variety of songs. They brought out at least 60-70 per cent of my talent. Who can tap all the talent I've got? I hope to do that myself with my future projects in music!
Comments