By Emb Hashmi
Asian World caught up with the singing superstar Navin Kundra for a chat, and we put quite a few questions to him whilst we had his full attention. Navin talks us through key stages of his life from his humble beginnings growing up in Coventry to an internationally recognised singer/songwriter.
“I’m a singer/songwriter from Coventry who entered the industry with a dream to make a name for myself and make songs that will reach out and connect with people from all walks of life. I come from a relatively small family – I wouldn’t say they’re a musical family, but they appreciate music and growing up here in the Midlands I was surrounded by music from the east and west, hence why much of my own music is a fusion of the two”.
What age did you know this is what you wanted to do as a career?
I think I was around 14 when I decided that I wanted a career as a singer. I had become obsessed with music and was singing for around 6 hours a day. That’s pretty intense for a 14 year old, but it was just fun for me – no formal training or singing lessons, just listening to different kinds of music and then singing the songs.
Were you discovered by anyway or did you enter talent competitions?
I would enter talent competitions, perform at school arts festivals, family and friends’ parties, karaoke nights…everywhere! Then when I was 18, I spontaneously went along to an audition for the world series of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa – India’s longest running music show on Zee TV.
That was one of my first big breaks and I was selected from thousands of applicants to represent the UK in the World Series. The show was filmed in Dubai and I was judged by the likes of Ghulam Ali Ji, Ustaad Zakir Hussain, the late Jagjit Singh Ji and even got to sing live with Bollywood playback singer Shaan. What’s more, this was all filmed on my 19th birthday – possibly the best birthday gift anyone could have.
Do you get nervous on stage?
Not on stage, but definitely before getting on stage. In fact backstage, I am pretty much a nervous wreck even to this day whether there is an audience of 500 people or 50,000. When people see me backstage they’re like ‘why are you so nervous, you’re so familiar with this now and you’ve done it many times before’, but I guess the truth is it still always feels like my first show.
Who is the most famous person you have performed to?
I have been fortunate enough to perform for many famous people and amongst the top would be Amitabh Bachchan and Sir Cliff Richard.
What was your most favourite gig and why?
Performing in Toronto definitely stands out to me because I had never been there before and never released my music there, so I didn’t expect anyone to know who I was in Canada. But when I arrived, there were thousands of people who came to see me perform live. Many of them had banners with my name, they knew all the words to my songs and brought me lots of gifts to take back home.
What is your favourite song that you have written?
‘Tere Liye’ and ‘Aaja’ really stand out to me as my favourites in terms of the song writing and vocal delivery.
Strangest reaction from fans?
(Laughs) Fans react in the craziest ways…some scream, some cry, some kiss and some try to do much more! The strangest has been receiving some naughty gifts from fans…but don’t worry…the secret is safe with me! (Smiles)
Quick fire Round
Fav place in the world? Hawaii
Fav artist/actor/singer? Michael Jackson/Aamir Khan/Mohammed Rafi
Fav TV program? The Apprentice
Fav past time? YouTube
Do you have plans to expand act, release books clothing line etc?
Definitely…some of that is being worked on currently and the rest will happen all in good time.
‘Navin Kundra’s new single ‘Shudaayi’ available on iTunes now’.
For Christmas, “I will be spending time with my family, hopefully being spoilt with gifts and spoiling them too, as well as preparing for my New Year’s Eve show in London”
