In every musician’s life, there is that one family member or teacher or guru who discovers the music in them. They nurture the talent in them, encourage them to expand their boundaries and push them to pursue their dreams. With World Music Day (June 21) approaching, we asked some of our current musicians about the people who recognised their talent...
Armaan Malik
On a song: Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon, Wajah Tum Ho, Sau Aasman, Aaja Na Ferrari Mein
My dad Daboo Malik, first discovered my talent. He saw me humming tunes when I was just three years old. Next, he saw me singing and tapping my feet to the exact beat of (my brother) Amaal’s piano playing. He knew that I was going to be a musician from that very moment. He immediately enrolled me in singing classes and I never looked back.
Amit Mishra
On a song: Bulleya, Sau tarah Ke, Manma Emotion, Radio song, Galti Se Mistake
I have a lot of people who discovered the singer in me, right from my parents, to my teachers to our great composers and music directors. In terms of my music and vocals, my teachers Raju Das and Renu ma’am discovered me. They used to make me sing in our school assemblies where my love for singing and the training of music began. Afterwards, I started taking music a little more seriously. And in Bollywood I got the recognition through Pritam Da and his songs. And of course, my other composers like Palash Muchhal, Rashid Khan, Prashant Singh and many more composers with whom I got a chance to sing. These are all my mentors who discovered the singer in me.
Rochak Kohli
(Singer-composer)
On a song: Har Gully Mein Dhoni Hai, Hawaizaada Dil, Lalla Lalla Lori, Tashreef
AR Rahman sir’s Dil Se was the first cassette that I bought from my pocket money back in the 90s. That changed my life — a school boy suddenly awakened to his calling! I was introduced to music by my mother, which helped me build an affinity towards ghazals and classics. Our school principal was extremely creative and introduced the concept of musicals to us. We picked Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and that opened the idea of ‘performance’ to me.
Jubin Nautiyal
On a song: Zindagi Kuch Toh bata, Bandeya, Tinka Tinka Dil Mera
Singing discovered me... My father was such a big fan of (Mohammad) Rafi da and Kishore (Kumar) da that he sowed the seed of music in me at a very, very young age... And I started growing up with music.
Sukriti Kakar
On a song: Pehli Baar, Kar Gayi Chull, Zubi Zubi, Jise Kehte Pyaar Hai
I grew up in a household where music was a way of life. Still is, actually. My mother was a music teacher and she first sparked my interest in music. Also, I grew up idolising Akriti didi and always wanted to emulate her. So, to a large extent I’m a self-taught and trained singer. What began as a passing interest gradually became an incredible passion and eventually a conscious career choice.
Nakash Aziz
On a song: Saree Ke Fall Sa, Jabra Fan, Selfie le Le Re, Naach Meri Jaan
My parents discovered the singer in me. I used to do a lot of musical shows with my dad and also for a kids stage show group. So, it helped me a lot in polishing my performing skills. Parents are the first teachers in our lives and I am lucky that my parents put their faith in me and supported me towards my dream of becoming a singer.
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