... says singer Vijay Prakash who hails from Mysore and was part of the Oscar winning track. He speaks to The Guide prior to his performance in town over the weekend
... says singer Vijay Prakash who hails from Mysore and was part of the Oscar winning track. He speaks to The Guide prior to his performance in town over the weekend
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The show is titled Straight From The Heart and singer Vijay Prakash admits itu00a0 will be no less than that. With his roots in the state, he admits performing in Bangalore has always been pleasurable. The concert this weekend is all about the singer and his musical journey.
"I willu00a0 play music that I have been born and brought up with. I will also sing most of the film songs that have impacted me in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu," says Vijay. "I will do a few tracks by music greats like Rajkumar, Kishore Kumar, SP Balasubramaniam and Illayaraja as they have all influenced my music," he adds.
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Some of the tracks that he will singu00a0 include Puri Kozhi Na, Thara Thara, Hosanna, Jai Ho and many more. His faith in the city's audience is evident though he is hardly the kind who will let the confidence overtake his need to put up a good show. "I know they (Bangaloreans) will expect a lot from me.
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I am just preparing myself," he says. Vijay will be accompanied by Arun Kumar on the drums and Ravi Kunoor on the flute.
Vijay spent most of his growing up years in Mysore. Hailing from a family of musicians, music was a natural choice. Besides being trained in and exposed to classical music, he tells us he has always had a strong inclination towards film music.
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It was in the late 90s that he took his first steps in the industry through the talent hunt show Sa Re Ga Ma. With a career spanning 10 years and films like Cheeni Kum, Swades and Anbe Sivam to his credit, he admits that it was Jai Ho that brought him the fame and recognition.
"As an artist and performer I got recognition only post Jai Ho. It did the magic. Ever since, the change has been slow and steady," he says, adding, "I am glad that it came over a period of time. I have never thought of stardom."
He recalls the day he first met Rahman. "It was in 93-94, soon after Roja that I first saw Rahman after a music show in Chennai. I ran up to him and there was a prayer within my heart to be able to work with him someday.
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Lateru00a0 Rahman called me and the first time I recorded with him was in a small hotel room in Panchgani. The song turned out to be for Swades. There was no looking back then. I was part of his World Tour last year. Connecting with him has beenu00a0 enlightening. He is special to me," he adds.
The singer has broken barriers of language and lent his voice to hit numbers. The journey, he says, has just started. "There are plans for the future.
Film music will always continue and I am also working as a composer for a Kannada film titled Andar Bahar. Other plans include a collaboration with Vivek Uchil, an inspiring friend, to produce some private stuff," he signs off.
Fatafat Five
Favourite song sung by him
Hosanna from the film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa
Favourite song by another singer
Masakkali by Mohit Chauhan
What would you be if not a musician?
I would have been dead.
What is the one thing you can't live without?
Good food. I am a foodie and like all kinds of cuisine from Mexican to Italian and North Indian.
Most memorable fan moment
It was when I was performing abroad. A child, about four years old, sang Jai Ho to me. I was very touched.
Where Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, Malleswaram
On December 2, 6 pm
Call 9845447130
For Rs 300, 500 and 750
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