Music

Ishmeet Singh is "Voice of India"

by EXPRESS INDIA & REDIFF

 

He's the man of the moment, singing his way to success.

It was Sardar Ishmeet Singh's night, as he sang from his soul, at the grand finale of the Star Voice of India, held at a chock-a-block Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai, India.

"I am very happy, I have fulfilled my father's dream. But the real grind starts now", he smiles, already mapping the future  -  his song with Salim Suleman in his own music album with Big Music. "Besides, I have got an offer from Uttam Singh and a few Bollywood and Punjabi films, which I am very excited about", he discloses.

The three-hour show was a gala event and, apart from celebrity judges Alka Yagnik, Adesh Srivastava, Jatin Pandit and Lalit Pandit, part of the mega event were Lata Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Madhuri Dixit.

The contest was close, with Harshit Saxena from Lucknow leading in the South, East and West Zones. The turning point came with the North Zone's verdict, that included both Ishmeet's and Harshit's home states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, respectively, where Ishmeet managed to get a meteoric response and was declared the winner.

Ishmeet has bagged an exclusive singing contract with Big Music for three years and has been gifted a brand-new Chevrolet Aveo U-VA, along with a cash award of Rs 10 lakh from Star Plus. Judges' Choice Special Award went to 17-year-old Abhaas, who too won a Chevrolet Spark.

Abhilasha from Maharashtra was presented a Chevrolet Spark by the Adesh-Vijeta Foundation for the best female singer of the contest. The beautiful Madhuri sang "Aisi Khoobian" from her forthcoming movie, Aaja Nach Le, while Ishmeet and Harshit crooned an assortment of old and new numbers, with their medley of folk songs from their states receiving a thunderous response.

Earlier. two days away from the grand finale, Ishmeet had taken some time out from riaaz to speak about his journey. Here's the Interview: 

 

Tell us about yourself.

I come from a simple middle-class background. There's my mother, my dad and my elder sister, Sumeet.

Everyone sings in my family. My dad is a great singer, so are my chachaji and his children. So, I have been singing from very young. But it was in my ninth class that I really got into singing Hindi songs.

When did you realise that singing was your passion?

In my ninth class, every student was asked to sing a song. When I sang, my teacher, Jagdeet Kaur, told me that I have a very good voice. She told me that I would go very far because of my singing.

Are you a trained singer?

I've had basic training. I've learned a lot from my dad. I learned singing Hindi songs from him.

How did you enter VOI? Tell us about your auditions.

I saw it on television. I learnt that they were holding auditions for the new season of Voice of India and I wanted to try out for it. But my family was against it. They wanted me to complete my studies. I couldn't do both, as my studies take up all my time. So I had to reason with my mother to let me at least go for the audition. She told me that even if I was selected, I couldn't continue, because my studies were very important.

I auditioned in Delhi and was selected. From thousands of hopefuls, only 39 were selected. Then it was down to 33 and finally 12. But still, my mother was asking me to give it up and return home.

I requested her to just let me try, dekhte hain kaha tak pahuch sakhta hoon (see how far I could go). In the end, my relatives had to intervene and convince my parents.

Now that you've reached the finals, you're already a big star. What do they feel now?

They're very proud of me. So is everybody else. I have made a name for myself and my family. Because of this show and what I've achieved, we have moved up from a simple middle-class life to a very respectable standard. The kind of people I'm meeting, and the life I'm leading right now is only because of this show.

What is the source of inspiration for your music?

Initially, it was just my dad. He taught me everything. Then I started following Mohammad Rafiji. I'm a big fan of Shaan and Sonu Nigam; I follow their singing very closely.

Do you get nervous before every performance? Do you have any ritual that you do to calm yourself down?

Earlier, I would get very nervous. But now, I have gotten used to performing in front of an audience. But, no matter what, before every performance, I chant "Wahe Guru" on my simone mala; it's the beaded mala that I always wear on my wrist.

What is the hardest part about this competition?

Singing is the easy part. Impressing the audience is difficult. In the end, it all comes down to them.

What has been the most memorable moment for you up till now?

Every moment, every day has been memorable. Since the day this experience has started, every moment has been so special. It has changed my life, and for the better.

There are eliminations in every round. Was there a point when you thought, "I'm next to go"?

Oh yes, every time! You can do your best, put everything into your performance, but after that, it's no longer in your hands. It's up to the audience and their votes. 

You're up against Harshit in the finals. What is your take on him?

Harshit is very talented. Bahoot achcha gata hain (He sings very well). You know, we both have come so far. Coming so far in the competition is a great achievement in itself. It doesn't matter who is voted the final winner. If one wins and the other is voted second, it doesn't mean he is the loser. We've come so far - there's nothing to lose anymore. We are both winners.

Is singing something you want to do for the rest of your life?

I will go back to my studies first. It's what my parents want from me. But yes, I also want to continue singing. People know me because of my voice. I have made a name because of my singing, so I don't think I'm going to give it up.

 

November 26, 2007

[Courtesy: Express India & Rediff]

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