Music, like life, has to be colourful: Sukhwinder Singh

The percentage of Sukhwinder Singh’s songs that have gone on to become hits is mindboggling. But for the singer, it’s the little things in life that matters.

“I miss hearing those Chandamama stories from my childhood,” he says, adding, “These days I can’t sleep unless I hear one, wherever I am in the world. I also listen to Lata Ji and Asha Ji’s songs every night which inspire me.”

He continues: “As a child I would listen to opera these guys are so very talented and glamorous. So, music and life for me have to have passion and style both go hand in hand for me. For me music has to be colorful.”

He also explained how sound and visuals need to go together.

“My first priority in music is its content and presentation — which have to be colorful. Until music is presented in a colorful manner it can never excite listeners. For example Rang De Basanti, Dabangg, Haider and now Rangoon most of these films tell stories of love, friendship and relationships, however the music adds a certain colour to the content,” he says.

About his latest hits, Singh says he needs to be happy within to keep churning out those numbers. “My recent outing for Haider, and now Rangoon, both have a touch of opera. Unless you are happy and content you cannot sing well.

“I was six or seven when I started singing for my teacher. I would sing Yashomati maaiya se pooche Nand Lala and my teacher would just kiss me after the song. So, I started singing everyday for her. Her kiss would ignite a kind of a spark in me, and whenever she would forget to kiss me I would remind her. One day, I played a prank. Instead of her kissing me on my cheeks, I kissed her lips that was the last day she stopped meeting me,” adds Sukhwinder, with a smile.

That brings us to the big question — will he ever settle down “I am a flirt, in music as well as in life... so, if I get married I will not be able to flirt. But Rahman says, ‘I want to see Sukhi Junior’. He wants to see me married. I have to get married but I only hope I get someone who can adjust with my odd timings and my mood swings.” All praises for A.R. Rahman, Singh says, “I have loads of respect for Rahman. He presented the Jai Ho song so well If not for Rahman I would not have got the recognition I have received from all over the world. My only regret is not performing the song at the Oscars though Rahman was the first one to inform me about it.”

He also adds that he is not very happy with the technical intrusion in music these days. “Even on stage singers ask organisers to arrange online editing They use it in Hollywood for technical betterment but not to just make everyone a singer.”

He adds that he would love to judge a reality show on TV.

“India has loads of talented singers and reality shows can produce many fresh and new talents.”

He is also singing in Salman Khan’s Sultan. But ask him about it, and he says, “I am singing for the character in the film. I always keep the character in mind while singing. Also, I sing for the music director. In Sarbjit, I have tried to put in a colorful song, which I have written myself. I made the makers understand that Sarbjit might have had a colorful life and they understood what I was trying to say. A film which is all grey will not look nice, there has to be some glamour.”