Prashant Tamang, Nepali Aamako Chhoro, Speaks His Heart

Ravi Adhikari's Domain

No one rocked the entertainment world the way Prashant Tamang rocked. Nepal, India and the South Asian communities all over the world, came to its feet when he won title of Indian Idol-III. The humble son of a Nepali mother from Darjeeling hill, at some point, was termed as a unifier and goodwill ambassador between India and Nepal. His ethnic origin, however, was also a matter of controversy for some critics in India, especially when Nepalis all over the world poured their resource and strength for Prashant’s victory. He, however, gives credit to his karma for the sudden fame. Prashant was in San Francisco Bay area recently for a concert. In a one-on-one interview with Ravi Adhikari, the humble and plain-speaking singer spoke right from the core of his heart, about being a Nepali of Indian origin, the fame, politics and many more. Following is the excerpts of the interview:

You were a junior police officer in Kolkata, are you still working with the state of West Bengal or …?
No, I’ve not left my job yet. I just completed a 6-month leave and it has been extended for another 6 months. This will go on until I complete my works (related to Indian Idol).

How much are you enjoying your life in Mumbai, the entertainment capital of India?
So far, Mumbai so good to me. In fact, I don’t get much to live in Mumbai. We keep moving all over (India and outside India) for the shows.

You came from a small village in Darjeeling Hill, then to Kolkata, next to big Indian cities and now all over the world. How are you coping with the sudden changes?
I like to call this karma. I had never thought that I would work in a big place like Kolkata. I came here, slowly got to understand the things and was adjusted. This was a kind of hands-on training to me on city life. After this, I came to Mumbai for the auditions of Indian Idol and you all know what happened afterward.

All of sudden you got noticed by billions of people in India and all over the world. Has this name and fame changed the typical Prashant Tamang, the one you love to call yourself, Nepali Aamako Chhoro (son of a Nepali mother)?
Till now, I’ve not felt anything like that. If I tell you frankly, it will not happen – I’ll not change myself -- even in the future. The reason for that is, I’ve come to this place after a hard struggle. It was not an easy ride to be on the place where I’m today. I never felt that I’m on the top of the world. It all happened because of love and blessings from everyone. They still love me and bless me, thus the things are going well.
I don’t think anything has changed, except for learning the new things I’ve never exposed to, meeting with new people, doing the work I’ve never done before, going to the places I’ve never gone. If you call all this a change, I also admit this is a change. I’m so happy with what is happening.

What was on the top of your list that you would do after winning Indian Idol contest?
I didn’t have any plan as such. I used to perform on stages even while working with the Kolkata police. Yes, I had a wish ‘whether I’ll get chance to perform on a bigger stage and crowd.’ I used to have dreams of performing in front of huge crowd. The first and foremost, that dream has been fulfilled by winning Indian Idol.

Let’s change the topic a bit. If you won’t mind I would like to remind you that you’re an Indian of Nepali origin. But at the time when you won Indian Idol as a “Nepali” I think there was a sentiment among “Indians” that you were posing as if you were a Nepali from Nepal…
I’ve a different opinion on this issue. Nepalis don’t belong to Nepal alone. It’s a ‘Jati,’ (ethnicity). They are settled all over the world. Whether in Nepal or in India, they’re very much proud of their heritage. I think there is nothing wrong in taking pride in one’s race or ethnic background. Do you think, those who live in New York or in India, don’t have right to call themselves a Nepali. And those who live in Nepal should not say they that they are the Nepali not others. We all are Nepalis living in different parts of the world. We have same blood. We have same tongue.

What about the rumor that your sheer affection to Nepal and Nepali is pushing you toward settling down in Nepal for good?
I don’t have any plan right now. But let me tell you one thing if my karma makes me migrate into Nepal, I’m ready for it. I will have no regret. But till now I don’t know where will I settle down in future. But even if I wanted, I don’t think somebody will tell me that I cannot settle down in Nepal. Right now, I’m focusing mostly on building my career, which has been just started.

What stage of career you’re in right now?
I’m in the very first step. From here, I need to work very very hard, so that I could earn a much bigger name in (film/music) industry.

After winning Idol title, last year you released Dhanyavad, an album of Hindi/Nepali songs. Anything significant happened after this?
After dhanyabad, I have done playback singing in Nepali film. I’ve just finished recording the 2nd Nepali album, which will be released sometime in the end of September. I’ve more projects in my hand and right now I’m focusing mostly in playback singing.

With experience you have so far of Mumbai and mainstream Hindi (Indian) entertainment industry, do you think you have a future here?
More than future, I’m concentrating in putting up hard work to get established. And hard work alone doesn’t work. The success also depends on luck. The Indian entertainment industry is very much competitive. There are several reality shows in a number of TV channels and talented singers are emerging from all these shows. To me success is a mix bag of hard work and luck.

Did you get any offer in Bollywood films?
I’m very much busy with the shows (because of the contract with Sony, the producer of Indian Idol). I’ve to travel a lot.

Do you think you’re getting fair treatment from mainstream Indian media and entertainment industry?
Like many others, I used to think the same way many people think, that I would not get a fair chance but it turned out to be wrong. In India, I’m receiving a very nice response from every where. Everyone recognizes me and respects me. I’m very lucky that way.

What did you earn and learn after climbing to the ladder of fame?
When ever you talk about earning, the first thing goes to your mind is money. To me money is immaterial. No matter how much you have, it may diminish anytime. The first and foremost thing for me is, earning ijjat, respect. And the kind of ijjat I’ve earned in such a short span, very few people can do it. My luck was in my favor, thus the entire world blessed me with respect. This is the biggest earning I have.
In learning, by regularly hanging out with celebrities in Mumbai, I learned how I need to live/function like them. Thus far, the things are going perfectly.

I heard you call Nepal, Mero Sapanako Desh, a country of my dream. Nepal has been going through a lot of painful experiences for past several years. How do you feel as a Nepali, who has nothing to do with politics in Nepal?
The very first thing I want to tell you is, I’ve never thought that I’m from outside Nepal. I’ve been there in my childhood. I have very little memory of this trip. While growing up, I wanted to go but could not go because of my own situation. Now, I’ve been to USA, UK, Hong Kong, Japan, UAE, Australia, but let me tell you, I find myself the most happy in Nepal. I’m definitely not happy with what Nepal and Nepalis have been through. I don’t feel good at all.

Among several other things, the radical change in Nepal has also made Nepalis question whether their identity itself is in crisis. How do you look at these developments? If you point out at one element that could hold Nepalis together, what would be that and why?
The first and foremost thing is, every Nepali has to have one heart. We need to have unity among Nepalis. For example, I was not thinking that I would win Indian Idol contest. My family also had a similar feelings. But when everyone got united and determined that I should win the title, I won it. A Nepali won the title.

How soon we should expect you hitting mainstream?
I’m working very hard and doing everything possible. Everyone loves me, supports me and offers blessings. All this will definitely take me somewhere in a big place.

(Published in The Indian Express)