Sukhvinder Singh Interview: Music is not a business for me, it is my breath
In the last quarter of 2024, Sukhwinder Singh has four Hindi music albums to release, one per month. He recorded 27 filmy and non-filmy songs during the year, including one of his personal favourites, a Bengali song on football.
Voiced by ‘Jai Ho’, ‘Chaiya Chaiya’, ‘Chak De India’, ‘Ghanana Ghana’, ‘Dard-e-Disco’ and many other timeless tracks from the nineties to today, Sukhvinder’s songs resonate with an unparalleled energy. His latest live performance, Jazba, is on September 7 in New Delhi
“I live in the present and believe in change. That is why you will find that my latest songs are popular and hits like all my old songs,” says the 53-year-old, with chartbusters in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Urdu and Marathi as well.
Playback singer Sukhvinder Singh to perform a live concert at Jazba in Delhi on September 7. Photo credit: Special Arrangements
Sukhwinder started singing at the age of eight, releasing his first album in Punjabi, Munda South Hall DrShe entered Bollywood when she was 16 and in 1987 with a song from the film ‘Surma Bhopali’. AR Rahman’s song shot him to prominence due to his rendering of ‘Lucky Lucky’ in the 1997 Tamil film. night shift, then ‘willinglyin He gave Which won him the Filmfare Award in 1998 and of course from ‘Joy Ho’ slumdog millionaire, which won big at the Grammy and Academy Awards in 2010.
“When Rahman calls me to inquire about my well-being, I know he wants a smile and I share punjabi jokes in broken english with him,” laughs Sukhwinder, blessed with an impressive voice that stretches from awe-inspiring highs to mesmerizing mids and lows.
“I am a fun-loving person, my music matches my personality as I love to combine music with dance; I like to stay away from depression and that’s why everyone affectionately calls me happy,” she says.
Playback singer Sukhvinder Singh to perform a live concert at Jazba in Delhi on September 7. Photo credit: Special Arrangements
Private and public shows keep him busy now, but that hasn’t stopped him from enrolling in music classes again. “I joined Sangeet Academy in Mumbai last year to learn Carnatic music, refresh my knowledge of ragas and practice vocal training under gurus,” he says.
“Whether I’m on stage, recording songs for an album or a film, I love to discuss with the youth their expectations of me. I remain a studious seeker to keep myself relevant,” said Sukhwinder on the eve of his live concert Jazbar supporting Rudraksha Communication musical and social initiatives.
Excerpts from the telephonic interview…
Playback singer Sukhwinder Singh will perform a live concert at Jazbaat in Delhi on September 7. Photo credit: Special Arrangements
Tell us about the upcoming concert in Delhi
I am a constructive person by nature who accepts whatever is present with open arms. This does not mean that I treat the past as a graveyard, I draw my experiences from there. I explore the market like crazy. Why am I telling you this because last weekend (August 31) I did a show in Bangalore and now after a gap of a week it excites me to do something different combining old and new but not copy-pasted from yesterday.
Even if I have another show 24 hours later, I will inject something new, even change my musicians. I never go on stage with a playlist of songs. My team only knows about the opening song and the rest takes less than a minute to decide based on audience reaction and cheers. I use technical cues with my team to pick songs spontaneously because I like to sing songs that the audience thinks of at the time and not what my mind stores.
To this day, I’ve never known my last song for an event. So Delhi will also be an experience where I will put my all Jazba (passion) and add fresh ingredients
Why are many popular singers now seen more in stage shows than in films as playback singers?
The trend has changed as Hindi films, in particular, have fewer songs with heroes. Arijit Singh is the king of romantic songs among male vocalists these days; His songs are full of emotion. So, for a singer like me, the options have changed. I do not take money for many film recordings!
I write songs, I am a sound engineer, I love Sufiana’s songs. I like to engage with people and do a lot of corporate, college and club shows. Music is not a business for me, it’s me Sans (breath). But money comes from ticketed shows and is a reflection and measure of public appreciation.
what challenges Does technology dictate the music industry today?
For a true music lover, music worship (worship). And if you believe and live in the present, your future is secure. Technology is constantly upgrading itself and expanding the possibilities for musicians, and AI tools are impacting the music world like never before.
I think technology threatens talent when there is too much difference (crowd) and few devotee (devotees) in the temple of music. The world recognizes rare and special people whose work speaks for them. They will always be an inspiration, no matter what.
What’s next on your agenda?
I want to increase the frequency of film songs. I am planning an album consisting of one Bengali and one Assamese song I also want to go south and study their singing personality. Their films are very tech-driven and I wish to sing South Indian film songs dubbed in Hindi.
What is the secret of your popularity for more than four decades?
I am a simple, positive and hands-on person who follows minimalism. I fix my outfit for my event. I call myself a ‘100 bucks’ guy who can live easily Dal-rice And be happy with a few friends rather than a large circle for socializing.
I am a disciplined person who spends hours watching the sunrise every day Riaz I store energy which is released during my performances and this is what endears me to my audiences worldwide.
Sukhvinder Singh Live Concert Jazba at KD Yadav Hall, IGI Stadium, Indraprastha Estate, Grand Trunk Rd, Near Raj Ghat, ITO Delhi; September 27; 7 pm; Tickets at BookMisho
