'I was not born to a classical maestro'

Sonu Nigam has his own rules for life and that helps him find time to do something out of the ordinary. The singer has cut a classical album that releases on February 11, despite not having formal training in that genre. He speaks to HT City.

You are back with a private album, a classical one, after three years…
I just wanted to do something more substantial. After my last album, Chanda Ki Doli, I thought I should do something beyond Indipop and popular music and have come up with the album Classically Mild. (Laughs) When I get old and am unable to exercise my vocal chords, I can say that this is the kind of work I did when I was young. <b1>

Do you still maintain that you would quit singing?
I never said that I will quit singing. I said that I will sing fewer songs, which I am doing. For three years I have been doing quality songs. Irrespective of the fate of the films, my songs have always had an impact.

What better compliment can a singer ask for?
Whether it’s Jaan-e-Maan, Salaam-e-Ishq or Khoya Khoya Chand, my songs have been appreciated despite the films not working. They are not played in the promos or on the music channels but still people have liked them.

Wasn’t doing a classical album like proving yourself once again?
I was not born to a classical maestro. My father was into light music and children generally learn what they grow up with. However, classical music was always my point of interest.

This album helped me train myself. Classically Mild has been produced keeping the commercial aspect in mind. Thus, it also has jazz-fusion. I have to satisfy the audience that has earlier loved my work. From popular music, if I move straight to abstract, it will not appeal to anybody.

You have gone bare-chested in the music video…
(Laughs) It’s a classical album and the concept was to create a mythological character. How can a mythological character come on screen in a suit? So I had to be bare-chested. The video also has an appeal in itself because it’s a blend of Lord Krishna and Greek mythology.

What about films?
Who wouldn’t give films a try living in India? However, I did films only after producers and directors approached me. Like songs, films also need to have quality.