BOLLYWOOD star Sonu Nigam is talking from a mobile phone at an airport in Kolkata, India. The airport is noisy, the phone line is bad, and Nigam, 34, is about to board a plane. He sounds a little harried but genuinely apologetic, explaining that he has eight shows in as many cities in India over the next week, before flying to Australia.
The singer is travelling with his wife and his eight-month-old son, whose arrival in the world brought Nigam endless joy — and, he admits, further complications to his touring schedule.
"Of course, we have to compromise in certain situations," says Nigam. "But wherever possible, I take my family with me. Right now I have my mother, my wife and my child here, even though it's a long journey. While I'm talking to you, I can see my son sitting in front of me, so I'm content."
Family has always been important to Nigam. His parents were both popular singers in India. In fact, his father still sings, and will perform in Australia with Nigaam this weekend (along with Nigam's band, Bollywood dancers and an emerging singer, Prashant Tamang, winner of last year's Indian Idol).
When Nigam turned 18, his father moved with him from Delhi to Bombay to help establish his singing career. "We are a go-and-get-it family," Nigam says. "Whatever we have done, we have done together. It is never 'me', it is 'us'."
Nigam started out singing covers of songs by his idol, Mohammed Rafi, and then hosting a TV talent show. But he had his heart set on Bollywood, and eventually broke into the industry as an extremely versatile playback singer.
In Bollywood films, playback artists provide voices for the actors, who lip-synch to the songs that are an integral part of each film. Talented playback singers can become stars in their own right, and Nigaam is now one of the most prominent male artists in Bollywood.
His visit to Australia has been organised by CHARINDAA, a non-profit organisation that raises money for charity through Indian arts and cultural events (CHARINDAA presented the Australian tour of the Bollywood composer A. R. Rahman in 2005, and the Festival of Indian Music in 2006). Proceeds from Nigam's Australian shows will go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre.
Melbourne-based professionals Mohan Krishnamoorthy and A. V. Mohan are honorary co-directors of CHARINDAA. The organisation aims to raise $1 million over 10 years, by producing both classical and popular Indian arts events.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/well-hello-bolly-its-so-nice-133/2008/04/25/1208743243061.html
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