Yogesh Mishra | yogesh@bollywoodtown.in
Sonu Nigam, the golden voice of India, turns 50 on July 30, 2023. He has ruled the hearts of music lovers for more than three decades. Apart from Hindi, he has sung in some other Indian languages and won several awards, including Padma Shri, National Awards, Filmfare Awards, etc. In an exclusive interview with Yogesh Mishra, he spoke about his son Nevaan, the nation’s present political climate, his fond memories of the past 50 years, his thoughts on the Adipurush movie issue, and more.
You have been ruling the hearts of music lovers for the last three decades. What else is left to achieve in life?
When I came to Mumbai in 1991 to become a singer with my father and later my mother and sisters, the journey ahead was like a blurred horizon. The only way forward was work had and achieve. After 31 years of being in limelight and more than 45 years of professional singing, I have come to realise that the Universe has fulfilled such dreams of mine that I didn’t even see. It would be very thankless of me to get dogged up about further achievements rather than enjoying the paradise I relish today.
You are turning fifty this month (July 2023), how do you look back on your journey so far? What have been the biggest change and the biggest challenge?
It feels beautiful for some strange reasons. As a child, I always wanted to grow up and take control of my life. And I truly enjoyed my youth. But in the early 30s, I went through a churning within. I realised I was sleeping all this while I was working like a machine and enjoying my new found stardom. I started waking up. That process is still going on and every passing year I feel I wake up further. 50, being a landmark number, makes one feel very humbled, especially because I have lost a lot of my friends who didn’t get to be where I am today. I thank the Universe in gratitude.
What has changed obviously is my outlook towards life. I am richer man, in terms of my viewpoints and philosophy of life and the world. I have realised that the actual story is something else and what we perceive is something else.
The challenge is to go about this evolution consistently and not let smallness or mediocrity pause or hold back one’s growth.
What’s your plan for another fifty years?
Plan? Hahahahah. I have stopped planning a long time back. Small little dinner plans or riyaaz or workout plans are allowed. But I don’t wanna humour the Universe by planning my life. I am a firm believer of the theory that the one who’s running my digestive, respiratory, reproductive, nervous, skeletal, psychological and so on systems automatically even when I am asleep, doesn’t need to be told what’s good for me in the rest of my life. I surrender.
What is music according to you, and where do you find the Indian music industry in the global scenario?
Music is not my profession. Profession is a byproduct of the entirety of my Musical being. I exist because of music. All that I am, or capable of, whether singing, playing musical instruments, both without having learnt formally properly from anyone, the way I think or write, or perform, or perceive, discern, grasp, reflect, respond, perform ; is because I am made up of music.
I am also fortunate that the Universe gave birth to me just the perfect country for music. India. No place other than India, can claim to be a melting pot of Global Music. Besides our extremely rich heritage of classical and traditional music, we are a society that is interested in learning and mastering other forms of music and musical instruments and vocal styles and high tech technologies. We are doing a beautiful job as far as our evolution of music is concerned.
We have heard that your son Nevaan is also very close to music; does he get any formal training for music?
Nevaan is my son and has the musical genes of my parents. He is a natural. Sings well and has sound music sense. I truly believe in not playing God to my child. He has all the access to whatever he wants to do. The Universe will show him his path and destiny.
After a long time, you are back with T-Series music label with your latest song in the “Adipurush” movie. Can we expect more songs from T-Series in the days to come?
Adipurush is not my only film with T Series recently. Laal Singh Chaddha and Shehzada have preceded Adipurush. Many more beautiful offerings on their way God Willing.
“Adipurush” movie has been highly criticised for defaming Lord Rama and our holy epic Ramayana. What is your comment on this?
I truly believe that we as humans, cannot understand the whole picture. We make our opinions looking a small part of the mosaic. I am sure the Universe has a reason for all the love and less-love we receive in life. Eventually, it all falls in the right place. He, knows it all.
What do you think about the way current Indian politics are taking shape? Given a chance, would you like to try your luck in politics?
Politics, is a profession. I am already deep into my own profession that has transcended into Bhakti. I am not cutout for politics. I am too honest to side with something that I don’t agree with even if that means I’d have to go against my own party. And that means I could be detrimental for my own party. Thus politics is out of question.
What are your upcoming films/songs?
There is a mixed bag of film and Independent Music that you should be getting to hear in the coming months. Also my life is majorly occupied with Live shows throughout the year. So the Universe keeps me busy.
You are the inspiration for many aspiring singers. Any message for them?
Message is not just for singers but everyone. It’s a beautiful world. Just keep the faith and smile at everyone and everything.
