'Luck favours those who work hard'

Sonu Nigam’s music is powerful, like pristine fire, yet the air of humility around him is what marks his true identity. It is no surprise then that he is calm and composed even though his song from Jal has made it to the long list of Oscars. He is currently basking in the hope of walking on the red carpet and is relishing every bit of this bliss.

Interacting with Metrolife while hurrying for his son’s annual day programme, he describes this big achievement as a motivation to work harder. “What I am and my music has always remained a mystery to people. This is time to come out,” he says.

Having grabbed eye balls not only for his music but also controversial statements, he once was in limelight after he said that the votes for a winner on a reality show are prejudiced and tend to be region-specific.

 “But on second thoughts, why not?”, he adds. “I wanted to make people aware that there are prejudices while voting on a reality show. However, on the hindsight, it does give recognition to a young talent but it shouldn’t become a habit. It’s like giving reservation for a few people in the country, which is fine, but the whole country shouldn’t be ruled by people who have come forward through reservation.”   
         
Quick in correction when asked about his brain child, sa-re-ga-ma-pa, he says that the show was coined as ‘sa-re-ga-ma’ when he was the host and had conceptualised its rounds. He considers himself fortunate as he fondly recalls that such a turn in his career came at a time when he was fresh, new, young and was on the reach for the right kind of exposure and the look-out platform to promote himself.  

When asked if youngsters have it a lot easier with the advent technology he says that it’s entirely upto them how they use modern tools, describing them as a boon and a bane.

“Technology has the property to enhance or reduce your voice quality. So, it’s important to change with the times but one should have a solid grounding of the past. Platforms like reality shows have produced great singers but it is their responsibility to take it forward from there, as the rest of the journey lies with them. They will have to find new opportunities for themselves. Youngsters also must have a strong base in classical music as it’s the grammar of all forms of music. One must know the spirit of the classical and should be connected to its roots.” 

Sonu has just released an album, ‘The Music Room’, with renowned singer Bikram Ghosh, and describes their collaboration as “a projection and knowledge of music that lies within us.”  Advising young talent, he says that he would like to tell them overconfidence is a huge deterrent to becoming immortal. One shouldn’t be superficial with their talent. Ï have always believed that there is nothing more to success than luck but luck favours those who work hard,” he wraps up.