In the final quarter of 2024, a symphony of melodies awaits as iconic playback singer Sukhwinder Singh gears up to release four Hindi music albums, one each month from October to December. The year has seen Singh recording an impressive 27 songs, both filmi and non-filmi, each infused with his trademark vigor and emotive power. Among these tracks is a Bangla song dedicated to football, which holds a special place in his heart.
Sukhwinder Singh, the voice behind enduring hits like ‘Jai Ho’, ‘Chaiyya chaiyya’, ‘Chak de India’, and ‘Dard-e-disco,’ has mesmerized audiences since the nineties with his distinctive energy. Even decades into his career, his songs retain their robust appeal, proving that Singh’s talent is timeless. Anticipation builds for his live performance, ‘Jazbaa,’ slated for September 7 in New Delhi, where fans will get a taste of his new and old hits.
“I live in the present and believe in change. That is why you will find my recent songs are popular and are hits like all my old songs,” remarked the 53-year-old artist, who has also made his mark singing in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Urdu, and Marathi.
The journey of Sukhwinder Singh began at the tender age of eight, singing in local festivals. His first album, ‘Munda South Hall da,’ was released when he was just 16. By 1987, he had broken into Bollywood with a song in ‘Soorma Bhopali’. However, it was his collaboration with AR Rahman on the Tamil film ‘Ratchagan’ in 1997, and later ‘Dil Se,’ that catapulted him to stardom. His rendition of ‘Jai Ho’ for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ remains one of his most celebrated works, earning him Grammy and Academy awards in 2010.
“When Rahman calls me to enquire about my well-being, I know he wants a smile and I share Punjabi jokes with him in broken English,” Singh mused, highlighting his close friendship with the acclaimed composer. His voice, capable of reaching awe-inspiring highs and soothing lows, has become a vital part of his personality.
Singh’s lighthearted nature is evident in his music. “I am a fun-loving person; my songs match my personality as I love to combine melody with dance. I stay away from melancholy, and that’s why I am fondly called Sukhi by all,” he said.
Despite his busy schedule of private and public shows, Singh has continued to enrich his musical knowledge. He enrolled in Mumbai’s Sangeet Akademi last year to learn Carnatic music, refresh his understanding of ragas, and undergo vocal training under gurus. This commitment to learning highlights his belief in staying relevant and continually evolving as an artist.
The upcoming ‘Jazbaa’ concert promises a dynamic experience for fans. “I am a constructive person by nature who accepts everything that is current with open arms. That doesn’t mean I treat the past as a graveyard; I draw my experiences from there. I explore the market fervently,” Singh explained.
. “Even If I have another show after 24 hours, I will inject something fresh, even change my musicians. I never go on stage with a pre-decided playlist.”
For Singh, ensuring that the audience enjoys the performance in real-time is paramount. His team is only aware of the opening song while the rest is decided spontaneously based on audience interaction. “I use technical signs with my team to pick up songs spontaneously because I like to sing what the audience is thinking about at that moment, not what my mind stores,” he added.
Addressing the changing music trends, Singh observed, “Many popular singers are more visible in stage shows now than as playback singers in movies. Hindi films, particularly, have fewer songs picturized on heroes these days. Among male voices, Arijit Singh reigns supreme with his emotional romantic songs.”
For Singh, music transcends the realm of business. “I write songs, I am a sound engineer, I love Sufiyana songs. I love engaging with people and doing corporate, college, and club shows. Music is not business for me; it is my breath. But money from ticketed shows is a reflection and measure of public adulation,” he shared.
On the impact of technology on music, Singh said, “For true music lovers, music is worship. Living in the present secures your future. Technology is expanding possibilities for musicians, but it also threatens talent when there is an overcrowding of mediocrity. The world will always recognize true talent.”
Looking ahead, Singh desires to increase his presence in film songs and is planning an album that will feature Bengali and Assamese songs. His fascination with South Indian films and their technology-driven music has him yearning to perform their Hindi-dubbed songs.
Singh’s simplicity and discipline, he believes, are the secrets to his enduring appeal. “I am a simple, positive, and hands-on person who follows minimalism. I can be happy with simple dal-chawal and a few friends. I store energy which is released during my performances, and that endears me to audiences worldwide,” he concluded.
The ‘Jazbaa’ live concert featuring Sukhwinder Singh will take place at KD Jadhav Hall, IGI Stadium, Indraprastha Estate, Delhi, on September 7 at 7 pm. Tickets are available on BookMyShow.
