Rajiv Vijayakar
He lost the Indian Idol 2 title by a hair's breadth. But while the winner is hardly heard, Karunya,
who sang 'Aane char aane' in Lage Raho Munnabhai and a song in Jai
Santoshi Maa, has however hit big-time in films being made in his
mother-tongue Telugu. It's time for a rapid-fire chat as Karunya also
got Leslie Lewis to compose his debut self-titled album
After just two Hindi films, where have you disappeared? I
have been lucky to be very busy down South. In the one year since I
became Indian Idol runner-up I recorded for about 60 films, some of
which had more than one song of mine. What's more, the music directors
include the biggest names like Manisharma, Harrys Jairaj, Anoop
Reubens, Vande Mataram Srinivas and S.A.Rajkumar. I won the 2006 Ugadi
Puraskar for Best Singer for a song in Orugalluke Pilla that was
enacted by Mahesh Babu, a superstar.
But why are Hindi films taking time? I don't know -
frankly I am a bit puzzled because I fulfill all requirements. I am in
touch with all current names like Salim-Sulaiman, Vishal-Shekhar,
Pritam, Shankar Mahadevan and also Himesh Reshammiya, who's simply
amazing in terms of his recent success.
You took time even for an album. I had a definite
concept and was looking out for the right label that gave me creative
freedom and I found it in Times Music. My album has a broad theme, for
it was my vehicle to exhibit my versatility. Also, I wanted it to
reflect me as a person, that is my attitude, energy, my romantic
nature, my passion for music and singing - in fact, it's USP had to be
me, Karunya, and so the album was self-titled. One kind of song can get
boring. If you recollect, on Indian Idol I was the only contestant to
sing everything from 'One love' to classical numbers.
Your album is fresh both in content and the team behind it. Luckily
the team I got was great. Madhu Sarkar, sister to filmmaker Pradeep
Sarkar made my video. Leslie's nine tracks got every shade into my
album - despite having a Western orientation, Leslie also can
metamorphose. Leslie understood me, spent time with me and probed into
what I wanted and was interested in doing. He is like a father-figure
and mentor and doing the album was like a picnic! The lyrics are by
Kumaar and Ravi who are both very good. Kumaar's worked a lot with
Vishal-Shekhar.
How much have you evolved in this one year? I had so
much time to explore. There is a sea-change in me and I think that I
have matured a lot. I have been travelling and perfoming live and
there's no better way to open up one's mind. Playback also gives you a
different high whatever be the language. Are you choosy or will take up whatever work that comes? As
of now, for me there is no right or wrong or small or big song. I am
building my own little repertoire. It is touching to know as I keep
travelling how much people love me, have supported and voted for me.
Even after over a year, the best part is that they remember me.I got a
great response in USA, UAE and East Africa. Live shows are a reality
check. But I know one thing - that for every one person who knows me,
there are ten who do not. But a good singer is noticed, though it may
take time.
Are you into classical training now? My basic
training has been very classical but right now I do not have the time
and with my goal of being an all-rounder it is not top priority. But
for someone who's not into it I have had the memorable privilege of
performing at the Golconda Festival on the same platform as classical
greats like Taufiq Qureshi, Parveen Sultana, Kadiri Gopinath who is the
saxophone legend and the Wadali Brothers. I have also sung the
45-minute Ramadasa kirtanas. Besides this, I have done a bit of
anchoring and am now hosting Zee's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs in
Telugu. Source: http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=17535#
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