Offbeat and on key
Unique
At 14, Harshdeep Kaur recorded the album, Romantica. Still a teen, she sang the hit number Ik Onkar for Rang De Basanti. 
By the time she touched 25, the prizes for being the winner of two reality shows (MTV Video Gaga and Junoon) were shining in her showcase. And now, she is back in the limelight with the superhit song, Katiya karun, from Rockstar.
“Last year was a memorable one for me. Rahman sir had called me to his studio and asked me to translate the lyrics of Katiya karun for him. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a folk song. Only the words katiya karun are from a Punjabi folk number,” explains the energetic singer.
Harshdeep has always shared a good rapport with A R Rahman and it may not be entirely wrong to say that he has been a mentor of sorts for her. “He is one composer who gives full freedom to the singer. Whenever he is around, you tend to give your best,” says Harshdeep. In fact, it was the song, Ik onkar, that had given her a firm footing in the industry.
Thinking back on the song and its recording, Harshdeep told me that Ik onkar was actually recorded at four in the morning. She recounts, “Singing with Rahman sir was like appearing for the board exams! I was both excited and nervous. But to my astonishment, the moment I entered the recording studio and began to sing, everything went off very smoothly.”
Harshdeep’s tryst with music began at quite a young age. Her father, who owns a factory that produces musical instruments in Delhi, had identified Harshdeep’s talent and sensed that it could be nurtured into a career in singing.
The singer aims to create a niche for herself in the music industry. She reveals that she had always had a penchant for live shows where people could listen to her voice in person. The reality show, Junoon — Kuchh Kar Dikhaane Ka, gave her the chance to do just that. And as a part of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s team on the show, she began her sufi journey.
The young and talented singer’s entry into Bollywood was through a relatively unknown song for the film Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai. “What made me feel really nice was that my name was
featured along with that of music maestros like Jagjit Singh, Asha Bhosle, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam and Alisha Chinoy. It was a great achievement for a person who had always dreamt of recording songs for Hindi films,” says the young singer.
Now that she is a known face in the industry and has many hit numbers to her credit, what does she feel about the industry’s recognition of talent? Are the rumours about music directors forming groups and giving opportunities to a select few true?
“I am yet to face that in my career. But I feel every song is meant for a particular singer. Thankfully, the composers know and understand my abilities and give me songs accordingly. I guess that is why Pritam has always selected me for non-Sufi songs. (Harshdeep has sung Jhak maar ke for Desi Boyz as well as songs for Fight Club and Khatta Meetha). Vishal Shekhar, on the other hand, has given me purely commercial songs like those in Taxi No 9211 and Karam.”
Having made it big at such a young age, does she have any message for other youngsters who may wish to follow suit? “I think the key is to practice, no matter where you are and what you are doing. I always make it a point to practice and listen to music — this will only add to one’s knowledge of music,” says the young, turban-clad singer.
With such perseverance and sincerity, Harshdeep is sure to reach greater heights in her music career.
