Sonu Niigaam, one of the best singers in the Indian music industry, is not very happy with the industry, which, he feels, does not have many opportunities for the sea of talent that exists in India. During his recent concert in Delhi on New Year's Eve, Sonu told TOI about his life in the industry and beyond, his aspirations and his dreams for a music industry that is independent of Bollywood.
How does it feel to come back to the city – New Delhi – the place you grew up in? There are no words to express that feeling. I was born in Faridabad and I spent a major part of my growing up years in Delhi before shifting to Mumbai. Delhi-NCR is still very special to me. That is why I never think twice when I get a chance to perform here.
You have completed almost two decades in the Indian film industry. Does it make you feel like a veteran?
Well, there are singers who are older than me. But if you talk of experience, yes, I do feel like a veteran. Having said that, I would like to add that I feel I am the youngest veteran.
From singing Rafi songs, hosting shows to becoming the most sought-after singer in B-wood. How has the journey been? It has been a rollercoaster ride. When I started, I faced a lot of hardships. People used to call me a Rafi clone because I used to sing my favourite singer's songs. Then "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" happened. It gave me a good break. Surviving in the industry without a godfather was difficult for sure. But over time, things started to get better and good opportunities were soon coming my way. The rest, as they say, is history. I was lucky, I must say, but everyone is not..
Why do you say that? Arre, look at the sea of talent that is here in India. But does everyone make it big? No. There are many singers who have got an exceptional talent, but spend their lives singing in local trains or hotels. Does the country even know who they are? Music in India is restricted only to Bollywood. Whoever manages to make a mark there is remembered. The ones who fail to reach and make it big there are forgotten.
But there are bigwigs who do not belong to the industry but have managed to make their mark in India. Classical singers, instrumentalists...
Yes. They've carved out a niche for themselves. But they started their careers when there were plenty of opportunities in India. At that time, classical music, bhajans, children's songs and patriotic numbers were prominent in Hindi films as well. Do the films of today have any of these? There is a serious dearth of opportunities these days in the industry.
Is this the reason why the musical talent hunt contestants get a lot of hype when they are in the show and then fade away into oblivion after the show is over? Yes. Now you are getting there. The simple reason is: There is a lot of talent, but there are no opportunities. Singers from all over the country assemble on the platform of music-based reality shows to reach Bollywood. It started with "Meri Aawaz Suno" and "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa". But except Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal and Kunal Ganjawala, no one made it really big. It is not that there was a lack of talent. In fact, there were singers who were much better than even the winners. Even now, very few talent hunt contestants actually manage to reach that level. And even after reaching there, unfortunately, they need to continue holding on to the crutch of Bollywood to make their presence felt. This is a slap on the face of music in our country.
So what is the solution? This situation won't improve until and unless we get a music industry, which is independent of B-wood. An industry where singers get tremendous opportunity to prove their mettle. An industry where no talent is wasted...
You have tried your hands at classical, Indi-pop. You can dance and play so many instruments. What is the secret behind this versatility? I'd say music runs in my blood. My parents are exceptionally talented singers, so even before I was born, it was a known fact to them that I'd become a singer. Thanks to my genes, I started off at the age of three and since then, music has meant everything to me. That is the reason why I try to make myself as versatile as possible.
Has this musical gene come in your son as well? Oh yes! Although Nevaan is only three-and-a-half now, he has already sung with Lataji. He is a brilliant singer...
Cheers!!
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