Child on song

The song Bam Bam Bole from the movie Taare Zameen Par became sort of an anthem for children. However, the person who benefited the most from the popularity of the song was the child artist who sang it.
Armaan Malik, son of music director Daboo Malik, started his singing career with the movie Chain Kuli Ki
Main Kuli. Apart from Taare Zameen Par, he lent his voice for Anurag Kashyap’s Hanuman Returns, Bhootnath, the Tanushree Datta-Khali starrer Rama-The Saviour and the Riya Sen starrer Zor Laga Ke Haiya.
Armaan picked up singing from an early age. He performed his first song ‘Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon’ in his primary school Desant Montessori, Juhu.

However, he never compromised on his studies. He is currently studying in Jamnabai Narsee School and has secured 88% in class VII.

How does he cope with studies and music together? “I have learnt to divide my time between singing and studying. When I am studying, I only study and while I am singing, I only sing. My mom helps me a lot to sort out so many things and keep me on track,” he says.

Armaan has also sung background scores for lots of ads including Boost, Bournvita, Surf Excel, Rin, Horlicks, Pepsodent and Colgate. His latest project includes Sagar Bellary’s Kacha Limbu where he is also acting along with singing.

How do his classmates react to his success? “My close friends are all very happy with my singing. There are some who are jealous but it doesn’t matter as long as I have good friends,” he says.
He doesn’t have a girlfriend yet. For the future, he says, “You never know.”

Where most mothers believe that children should only study, Armaan’s mother Jyoti Malik believes that it is equally important to concentrate on recreation.

“Times have changed today. One need not necessarily become successful by studying. There are equally opportunities in other fields such as sports, theatre, films or music. If children do not multi-task, they would lag behind. All mothers should look at recreation with an open mind because it’s a major outlet for creativity for children.”

One habit that annoys Jyoti is Armaan’s over-preciseness. “When it comes to organising his school bag according to the time-table, he will spend one hour arranging the books. It wastes a lot of time as it’s a simple task that can be completed in five minutes,” she says.

Has she ever beaten him up for doing anything wrong?

“Armaan gets a whack whenever he does silly mistakes in maths,” she says. Jyoti is a maths teacher herself and is very particular about the subject.

Other than singing, Armaan is fond of swimming, guitar and football. He has already broken his leg twice while playing football.
a_ankit@dnaindia.net