Sukhwinder Singh: An artist who lacks passion is fake

Singer Sukhwinder Singh, who recently performed in New Delhi, talks about his love for music, Delhi’s street food and the places he like the most in the city.

Powerful beats, amazing music and strong vocals, singer Sukhwinder Singh’s performance at cultural festival Anugoonj 2017 of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) left nothing more to be desired.

Sukhwinder Singh was recently in the city to perform at a college fest. (Pratik Chorge/HT PHOTO)

“You feel young when your audience is college crowd, because you have to add certain naughtiness in your demeanour,” says the singer. “And performing in Delhi is always amazing. The crowd has so much energy here that the experience becomes absolutely rocking for me.”

Singh, who is best known for his energetic bhangra songs and mellow romantic tracks, believes that to be a good singer, one must create an equal balance between practice and passion. “Any artist who lacks passion is fake. You’ve got to be involved wholeheartedly in your art. And you’ve got to give your everything. Keep practising always, no matter how good you get,” he explains.

A fact unbeknownst to most is that Singh has also recently sung a song for the Broadway adaptation of Monsoon Wedding (2001), the movie that gave him the hit number Ajj Mera Jee Karda. “This is the first time that I have sung a song in English. The music is by Vishal Bhardwaj and even though the lyrics are in English, the track is composed on Indian ragas. The song also has a very Indian and earthy feel to it,” he says.

Talking about his love for the Capital, Singh says that of his list of favourite spots, Nehru Park, Hanuman Temple with the deity’s grand statue, and Nizamuddin Dargah. “I love being in Delhi. I get so much love from the people here and make me feel so pampered. Whenever I am here, I make sure to go to Nehru Park for a jog. Sometimes, I cover my face and roam around the city,” he says, adding that he cannot resist the city’s golgappa’s and chhole-kulche. “I have even missed flights just to have Dilli ke golgappe and chhole kulche. Sometimes, I come one day in advance just so that I can get my fair share!”