Navin Kundra - UK's Indian Singer, Songwriter & Composer

Navin Kishore Kundra is one of UK's fastest rising Indian singer/songwriters today. His amazing versatility allows him to write and perform songs not only in Hindi, but in Punjabi and English too. Besides singing popular Bollywood film songs, he has co-written and composed several songs of his own for his upcoming debut album, which includes a mixture of different influences and genres of music.

His musical career began with winning the BBC Asian Network's Unsung 2005 competition, which was one of his proudest moments. He performed live at the prestigious Birmingham Symphony Hall along with some of the biggest artists in Asian music including Gurdaas Maan, Jazzy B, Stereo Nation and the Rishi Rich Project.

After his performance of Feel by Robbie Williams, the judges, which included Rishi Rich, Nyrone, Adil Ray, Shin, and Mona Singh, declared Navin the winner of the competition. He also won the audiences favourite award, as he was voted for by thousands of BBC Asian Network listeners.

2006 proved to be a very good year for Navin. Sabras Radio's September 19^th Drivetime Show with Raj Baddhan featured him in an exclusive interview and a mind-blowing acapella rendition of his winning song on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. On October 6^th, his debut song, Tukde, Tukde was named the winner of Top Dog on Club Asia. The presenter Veena V was ecstatic that it won 70% of the votes (many from the US) the highest since the inception of the competition. Besides a full interview, Veena also had Navin sing several songs live and unplugged on air, one of which you can listen to on her myspace site. Also, Tukde, Tukde was voted #1 for several weeks in a row over some very popular Bollywood songs on Sunrise Radio, where you can still vote for it. To do so, please visit: http://www.sunriseradio.com/entertainment/networkchartshow.asp

Other interviews for 2007 are already lined up for both Akash Radio and Panjab Radio. 'Eastern Eye', a popular Asian paper in the UK will be showcasing Navin as well.

Besides interviews, a promo video and photo shoots, Navin performed at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in West Kensington, UK - Premiere Institute for Indian Art and Culture outside the sub-continent. He was also thrilled go on tour in Germany recently.

Recently added to his site is Navin's awesome new song, Main Ha Tere Naal (I'm with you). This beautiful song can also be sampled and its full version purchased through the same official website. You also get a bonus track with your purchase, but hurry because this is the last week for the bonus. Both songs will be heard on the US airwaves very soon.To quote Navin on Main Ha Tere Naal, "I think it is one of the most meaningful things you can say to anyone - be it your friends, your family, and of course...your special someone. So for anyone that's special to you, this song is definitely an ideal gift to let them know that you'll always be there for them!"

Speaking of hearing what Navin has to say, I was privileged to be able to sit down with this extremely busy young man and conduct an interview with him.

Can you give us a little background on your family history?

I was born in the UK. My parents are originally from Punjab, India and they moved to England when they were very young. My young sister, Nisha and I have spent our whole life growing up here in England.

Does your family have a musical background?

We don't really have much of a musical background in terms of family. My grandfather use to play the keyboard and so did my father. As a child, I would always find myself pressing the keys and playing songs on our small keyboard. One day my dad said, "you play really well, but why don't you try singing along with what you're playing?" From there, I developed a love for singing and around the age of fifteen, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in music.

Describe your first appearance on stage.

My first performance was when I was nine years old. It was at a local community Diwali show, where I danced to 'Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast from the film 'Mohra'. I remember being the youngest performer and getting such a buzz from being on stage. My family tells me that when I was really young, like around two or three, I would get up in front of the T.V. and start dancing ... so maybe my first performance was earlier than I thought. (Laughs)

Please tell us about your first big break.

It was on my 19^th birthday, when I represented the UK in a World Series of Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma, filmed in Dubai. I had no idea that I would get chosen from the auditions. It was a great experience. It gave me the opportunity to sing in front of stalwart figures in the Indian music industry, such as Gulam Ali, Zakhir Hussain, Jagjit Singh, O.P. Nayyar and Shaan, as well as a worldwide television audience.

Is this what made you decide on a singing career?

The whole Sa Re Ga Ma experience helped confirm for me that music is what I want to do and has allowed me to take my singing more seriously. This along with the passion and love for music. I prefer to spend my life doing something that I really enjoy doing and offering something creative to the world, for which I can be remembered.

Who in the music industry have been your inspirations?

That is always a difficult question because there are so many great musicians and singers who have been real inspirations for me. If I had to name a few, they would be Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, R.D. Burman, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Michael Jackson, Robbie Williams and Whitney Houston. I could go on and on. Any artist that has managed to reach out to people with their music, is a real inspiration. And, although my father is not in the music industry, he is my biggest inspiration.

What inspires you to write songs?

Real life. Experiences, emotions, desires and aspirations are all part of real life and that is where my inspiration comes from. It doesn't have to be a personal experience, but things that people can relate to because they have experienced it or want to experience it. Other music often inspires me to write too.

What are your aspirations for the near and distant future?

I am currently working on my debut solo album, so I really want to get that released and tour around the world with it. I want to take my music as far out to people as possible. In the distant future, I want to establish myself as a successful and respected artist, and I'm working hard to make that happen. A big house, a nice car, a great family, loving friends, loyal fans, fame and fortune ... is that too much to ask for? That would be a great future!

Would you consider a career as a playback singer?

Yes, I've grown up listening to playback singers all my life and that is how I developed my singing and love for music. If the opportunity for playback singing came my way, I'd definitely consider it.

What is the concept behind Tukde, Tukde and what does it means to you?

As I mentioned before, real life is one of my biggest inspirations for writing music and Tukde, Tukde is just that ... it's about real life. I wrote this song at a time when a lot of my friends were going through difficulties and break-ups with their partners, so I decided to write a song about it. In fact, my friend Manpreet Johal co-wrote the song with me.

Tukde, Tukde means a lot to me. First, because it is my debut song and it is a result of everything musically that I have done so far. Second, because I know how many people can relate (and are relating) to it, it is my way of reaching out to them. I wanted to keep the song really soulful and melodious and I am really pleased with the response to the song.

Any idea when the debut album might be coming out?

I am working day and night on it, but as of yet, I have no fixed date as to when it will be released. I'm taking my time with it because it will be my first offering to the audience and I want to get it right. Tukde, Tukde is the first single from the album and I can promise that the rest of the album will have a mixture of different influences and sounds.

Do you have a favourite motto?

Dare to begin

Is there anything you'd like to add?

I just want to say that if you have any dreams or aspirations in life, then go out and chase them ... make them come true. Life is too short, so enjoy every minute whilst you can. I'd also like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me and my music so far. I hope I continue to receive your love and support.