Talktime | Sukhwinder Singh
After having songs like Chhaiyya Chhaiyya, Jai Ho and Udi Udi Jaye, singer Sukhwinder is set to wow listeners with a football anthem which he has sung for CAPF U-19 Football. He speaks with SHAlINI SAKSENA about how he misses romance in songs, how change is good & why he sings only certain kind of songs
Tell us about Oorja, the football anthem you have sungIJ
The project has been helmed by the PMO, specifically by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. They find the championship a great initiative. As I am a sportsperson myself, hence, when I was approached for the song I said yes. Oorja holds a special place for me since I have written and sung it.
Are you collaborating with AR Rahman againIJ
Yes, that is correct. We have come together for a song for Sachin’s biopic. The song is so brilliant that it will be just as popular as Jai Ho.
Why is it that you give your best when you are with AR RahmanIJ
The truth is that he is the best composer that the industry has to offer. When the composer is good and he comes up with ideas, the singer too gives his best. Not that I don’t give my best for other composers. But because Rahman does things differently, I do the same. Even the song that I have sung for the movie Mom is different
How has the industry changed since you started playback singingIJ
One can’t demarcate that one era was good and the present bad. Each has had its good and bad. The good part is that, as a singer, it is important to accept the changes are taking place. As singers, we can choose what we do — be it good or bad.
Is it the listeners’ fault to expect the melodious songs of the 60sIJ
Today, life is grey and everything has taken that colour, including films and songs we hear. But I love colour and recently asked my designer to use all colours and keep away from black. During one of our compositions, I told Rahman that I am missing the tone of the accordion — the tone of romance. I am missing songs like Roop tera mastana, aap ke kamrey mein koi, lekar hum deewana dil. In the last seven months, I have visited 60 cities, including a hill station where, in February, the weather was warm. There is over population, construction everywhere and stress in our lives. Overall greyness. Where will the romance come fromIJ
How would you define musicIJ
I don’t judge music but performance can be judge. Music is all about relaxation and entertainment.
What makes Punjabi songs so popular todayIJ
When they talk about fun, it is Punjab, when it comes to food, it is Punjab. When it comes to songs, it is Punjab since they have a beat to them; it has a crispness that makes people want to get up and dance. I am not trying to promote these songs but like Bollywood music has a glamour quotient, Punjabi music has caught the mood of the common man.
Other projects that you have
The aim is not to sing many songs. I love the pace that I have set for myself. But there are songs for films like Sarkar 3 and Toilet-Ek Prem Katha. The song for Toilet... is something that people will love as much as the film.
Why are you not judging reality shows on TVIJ
I am invited as a guest for many shows. Though I would love to judge a show but there is this thing about late night shoots that is inconvenient for me. But if I do judge a show, it will be my expertise that I will bring to it.
Has the importance of playback singers erodedIJ
Though that there is some truth here, the fact is that those who have a passion for singing will always remain on top. The best is always few and demand for the best will never go away. I won’t say that I want to go against the tide but I love doing something that has not been done before. Therefore, choose my songs carefully.
Should Oorja not be a little more peppyIJ
The aim is not just to create a peppy number. There is a message too — that children should not be cooped up inside homes. They should come out and play field games as well.Talktime | Sukhwinder Singh
After having songs like Chhaiyya Chhaiyya, Jai Ho and Udi Udi Jaye, singer Sukhwinder is set to wow listeners with a football anthem which he has sung for CAPF U-19 Football. He speaks with SHAlINI SAKSENA about how he misses romance in songs, how change is good & why he sings only certain kind of songs
Tell us about Oorja, the football anthem you have sungIJ
The project has been helmed by the PMO, specifically by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. They find the championship a great initiative. As I am a sportsperson myself, hence, when I was approached for the song I said yes. Oorja holds a special place for me since I have written and sung it.
Are you collaborating with AR Rahman againIJ
Yes, that is correct. We have come together for a song for Sachin’s biopic. The song is so brilliant that it will be just as popular as Jai Ho.
Why is it that you give your best when you are with AR RahmanIJ
The truth is that he is the best composer that the industry has to offer. When the composer is good and he comes up with ideas, the singer too gives his best. Not that I don’t give my best for other composers. But because Rahman does things differently, I do the same. Even the song that I have sung for the movie Mom is different
How has the industry changed since you started playback singingIJ
One can’t demarcate that one era was good and the present bad. Each has had its good and bad. The good part is that, as a singer, it is important to accept the changes are taking place. As singers, we can choose what we do — be it good or bad.
Is it the listeners’ fault to expect the melodious songs of the 60sIJ
Today, life is grey and everything has taken that colour, including films and songs we hear. But I love colour and recently asked my designer to use all colours and keep away from black. During one of our compositions, I told Rahman that I am missing the tone of the accordion — the tone of romance. I am missing songs like Roop tera mastana, aap ke kamrey mein koi, lekar hum deewana dil. In the last seven months, I have visited 60 cities, including a hill station where, in February, the weather was warm. There is over population, construction everywhere and stress in our lives. Overall greyness. Where will the romance come fromIJ
How would you define musicIJ
I don’t judge music but performance can be judge. Music is all about relaxation and entertainment.
What makes Punjabi songs so popular todayIJ
When they talk about fun, it is Punjab, when it comes to food, it is Punjab. When it comes to songs, it is Punjab since they have a beat to them; it has a crispness that makes people want to get up and dance. I am not trying to promote these songs but like Bollywood music has a glamour quotient, Punjabi music has caught the mood of the common man.
Other projects that you have
The aim is not to sing many songs. I love the pace that I have set for myself. But there are songs for films like Sarkar 3 and Toilet-Ek Prem Katha. The song for Toilet... is something that people will love as much as the film.
Why are you not judging reality shows on TVIJ
I am invited as a guest for many shows. Though I would love to judge a show but there is this thing about late night shoots that is inconvenient for me. But if I do judge a show, it will be my expertise that I will bring to it.
Has the importance of playback singers erodedIJ
Though that there is some truth here, the fact is that those who have a passion for singing will always remain on top. The best is always few and demand for the best will never go away. I won’t say that I want to go against the tide but I love doing something that has not been done before. Therefore, choose my songs carefully.
Should Oorja not be a little more peppyIJ
The aim is not just to create a peppy number. There is a message too — that children should not be cooped up inside homes. They should come out and play field games as well.
