By Sonya Nayun.
This ain’t a joke. What do you call a man who maintains a healthy diet, makes regular visits down the gym without fail, takes vitamins to help his energy levels, slips into clothes from TopMan and Autograph and is 52 years old?
Surinder Singh Parwana, the energetic king of Bhangra sits down with Sonya Kay of for 60 Minutes and shares his past, present and future plans.
Step forward shin…
Shin, how long have you been singing?
Sonya, I have been singing from an early age of 12. It was just pure passion. Whenever there was a new Bollywood Hindi film release, I would learn the lyrics and sing around the house – I was happy with just doing that! A friend of my mine who attended a local Gurudwara where they taught raags said to me that if I was so passionate about singing, why don’t I join him and attend the local Gurudwara for proper lessons, so I did!
Then what happened?
Then while tackling my education and helping out at our family business, I managed to fulfil the passion I had inside of me when I joined the DCS live band 25 yrs ago.
Family Business?
Yeah, we had a family business, where we designed jackets and leisure wear. We manufactured promotional clothing for coca cola, it’s what I was doing before I jacked it all in for singing. If I wasn’t in the singing profession today, that’s what I would have been doing. My wife still designs ladies Asian fashion and I support her as and when I can.
Tell me about the above healthy diet, regular visits down the gym, your vitamins and the young look?
The young look is 50% generic! Right from when I get up in the morning, I will have a healthy breakfast which is a couple of egg whites and rye bread, followed by tea. Then I would make my way down to the gym and have a good work out. When I’m back home, I would practise my rehaaz and then head for the studio. Throughout the whole day I will eat healthy. Yeah there are days when I might skip the gym, but there has not yet been a day when I have eaten unhealthy or not taken my vitamins. That’s the story of my other 50%
Are you able to maintain a healthy life style when you’re out on tour?
Yeah, because I will take all the vitamins that I have on a daily basis. When I’m out on tour, I will always choose healthy food from the menu. I will always make sure that there’s a gym in the hotel that myself and my band stay in.
How do you balance work, a healthy life style, family and touring?
I work from home, as I have my own studio there, so therefore, I interact with the family quiet a lot. The only real time I’m away from the family is when im out on tour.
Tell me a bit about your family do they have any interests in arts like you?
There’s my wife Pramaud, who designs Asian women’s fashion. My son Sudheer is a PHD Graduate, but in terms of the arts, he has directed most of my music videos. Anaya is my Granddaughter – she’s going to be two next month and her art is keeping granddad and grandma young!
My oldest daughter is a classical dancer and the younger one is a hip-hop dancer. We try to spend quality time together but due to me working weekends and the kids and wife working during the week it’s so hard. The last time we went away together was on holiday to Tenerife to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary. It was just 10 days of pure madness!
Away from music world, what would you describe a fabulous day?
In the company of my wife, shopping. There’s nothing like a quick nose around the Birmingham rag market from time to time. I have actually purchased some jackets from the rag market that I have used on stage. If I get a chance on tour, I like a nose round markets abroad as well. Then I will pop into the Topshop and Autograph before I hit Mark Spencer, because my wife prefers M&S! Then a nice healthy lunch accompanied by my wife and white wine!!
Hmmmmm…Nice! Lets talk about your Bhangra band DCS now?
I have been with the band for 25 years now. We have released 15 albums and a few Hindi single here and there. We have scooped up many different awards and collated a lot of love and support from our fans which is our biggest strength and energy. So thank you!!!
Gubzy on the Dholak & Tabla, Bhutta on the Keyboards, Steve on the guitar, Sunny Our DJ, Mr Rambo on the Dhol, Juggy on the drums, Pospy on bass guitar, Micky our sound engineer, Mr sherry Our road show Host. I would like take this opportunity to thank all the band members above who just rock when we are out…love you guys ….ITS QUIET TIGHT!!!
What does that mean shin, its quiet tight?
Just a line we use while we’re out gigging!
So what do we have in store in terms of music for 2012?
I’m in the middle of working on Bhangra & Hindi singles, so watch out for those. Of course, I’m busy with performing here in the UK and aboard as it’s the wedding season. So if you do spot me somewhere, come and say hello instead of singing my songs as you walk past me!
OMG, do fans seriously sing when they see you?
Yeah. I don’t mind though!
