Sonu unplugged

We've heard him many times in Dubai. And every time he has proved he is a singer who needs no gimmicks. Multiple-award winner Sonu Nigam is arguably the best voice in Indian film playback today. Young, good-looking, with an exceptional vocal range that can easily embrace both joy and grief, Nigam returns to Dubai with another concert tomorrow.

Salaam Dubai, presented by Oberoi (Middle East) Events at the Madinat Jumeirah, will see Nigam sing from his growing list of film hits — and, hopefully, from his pop albums too.

Here is Sonu Nigam, unplugged, talking freely of music, remixes and winning — or not winning — awards.

Excerpts from an e-mail interview:

What role do songs play in Hindi films?
Hindi films have traditionally been musicals for the last 50-odd years, making songs the central element of any Bollywood spectacular. But more than that, I feel songs add soul to the film. There are many things that cannot be expressed by just dialogue and songs create that bridge with the viewers.

Are you happy with the growth of Hindi film music?

Let's just say I'm not unhappy. I'm thrilled by the progress and the recognition, but the professionalism leaves a lot to be
desired. But that's what growth is about, I guess. I guess Bollywood music has evolved, but it still needs to arrive.
You have sung for many heroes.

Do you feel your voice particularly suits any one actor?

I sincerely hope not. That would limit my market significantly, wouldn't it? :0) Jokes apart, I feel I have a voice that
suits several heroes and finally it's all about the modulation. I make it a point to know whom I am singing for, as well as
understanding more about the character, instead of the other "assembly line" singers.

You've sung every type of song. Do you have a favourite genre? Or a favourite song?

Romantic ballads are songs where a singer has, pretty much, a free hand in terms of expression and movements. In recent times, one of my favourites is Bavari Piya Ki from Baabul. This is an interesting genre of classical vocals blended with delicate modern rhythms and orchestration.

What is that one song that you've not sung, but would love to have done?

Believe me, if there's a song that I haven't sung, chances are that I will sing it very soon! I am experimenting and delving into several different things in the next few months. As I always say, the best is yet to come.

What do you think of the remix trend? Will you bring out an album of your own remixes, like some senior artists have done?

Remixes are part of today's club culture and have a very specific target audience. The other thing about remixes is their shelf life. I barely remember the remixes that were popular last year, or even last month. They are like flavours of the month. The true songs that last are the ones with inherently good melody, while the rest of them are purely trendsetters that
fade out with time.

How much have your pop albums contributed to your success?

Pop albums have let me flex, and spread my wings. All my pop songs in Kismat, Deewana, Jaan, Yaad and Chanda Ki Doli have helped me evolve as a singer. When you start to sing a pop song, you don't have a story, a hero or a set. It's an open canvas, and you are allowed to express yourself as an artist. They have helped me evolve into a singer and contributed substantially to my success.

If you had to choose one special moment in your career, which would that be?

There are so many to choose from. But I will never forget my performance in Dubai, in the show, Jaan Yehi Dosti Hai, which was also conceptualised and brought to you by Naresh Oberoi, who is organising Salaam Dubai.
This show was held a few months after Kargil [an Indo-Pak conflict], and here I was, performing with Ali, Salman and Brian of Junoon [pioneering Pakistani rock band].
We were having the time of our lives singing each other's songs, and rocking away. And I looked out into the crowd — a sea of nearly 25,000 music lovers — completely drenched in sweat, and ensconced in the music so deeply and intensely.
That's when I realised that we were all one. Truly. Beyond the clichés and the political dialogue. We are truly one people, and music is one of those few mediums that can generate that emotion, that feeling of "oneness".
A fan from the audience handed us a sketch of a heart made up of the Indian and Pakistani flag that Salman and I held up to great applause. I will never forget that moment, because it made us all feel so humble and comfortable, yet so proud to be world musicians.

What do awards mean to you?

When they are not political, and truly represent the viewer's choice, they mean the world. But as this is extremely rare, I would definitely say that the true award for a singer like me is a beaming smile on an audience member's face when he/she hears their favourite song from me.

Who is your favourite singer?

No prizes for guessing. Rafi saab (Mohammed Rafi). Are you shocked?

What can Dubai hope from this concert? What do you think of your audience here?

Dubai can hope for an intimate, personal musical journey, with me, their host. I come back to Dubai again and again purely for the audience. Dubai is truly home to some of the most musically adept listeners.

They not only come to groove and dance to my songs, but more importantly, come to listen to good music. Many a time I've ended up singing a song without any instrumentation and in the middle of the notes, I am surprised to feel the pin-drop silence of the attentive crowd. Dubai has always given me a crowd of authentic music lovers.

Did you know?
Sonu was born in Faridabad in 1973.
His first movie as a playback singer was Janum in 1990.
In 1996 he started hosting Sa Re Ga Ma, a television singing talent competition that became one of the most popular shows on Indian television.