Is versatility a must in a singer?

So I thought why not open a discussion thread. We all know that a complete dancer must show versatility. You can't be called a professional dancer without much versatility in your dance. Do you all think that applies for singing as well? Or does that only apply to dancing only?

In my opinion (please don't criticism my opinion as I am not asking everyone to agree to it), if you want to be called a professional singer you must have versatility in your voice. Singing the same type of songs (same genre, same mood, same feeling etc) is enough to call you a singer, but not enough to call you one of India's top and flourishing singers. Its not enough to even call you a professional singer. Versatility builds with experience. Some are naturally just so versatile. Others work their way to versatility. Look at our playback singers today.

Let's take Alka Yagnik ji (for those that don't already know, yes she is my all time favorite playback singer and an inspiration to my own singing) for example.

Here is one of her earlier songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keOiXLL7V9g

Then you have a bit of faster beat songs from her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa8M3cr6eko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtXUBrmJfz4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-osWvzCMQ7s

Then you have the really high difficulty level songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRzoLVNgHoI

Then you have the classical touch in her voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20LaU-N8Yy4&feature=PlayList&p=20032548E8018F09&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=37
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TjhOD_GtU8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0rK7b-yJ1o&feature=related

Then of course you have the sad, slow songs from her where you can really connect with her voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb1AZoqDDs8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXYx6-NS6aM

Then you have the devotional songs that she has sung:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGCnwQSbScA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry-Zv9osfjA

These are just a few examples of her versatility. And this is just one example of a playback singer that I feel has immense versatility in her voice. There are of course many other singers in our industry who show such versatility.

Also I feel that every singer should have a foundation in Indian Classical Music. Without classical music, a singer is nothing. I can certainly vouch for that as I myself am a singer without any classical training. And because I have no training in classical whatsoever, I find myself struggling with many songs!

Which singers in Indian Idol do you think excel in singing? Which have that versatility required by any performer whether they be a dancer, singer, or actor? What are you views on versatility within a singer. Would have to hear what you all have to say!

Oh dfinitely unless u will be limited to only one type of song and may be approached by many Music Directors.

CPR, nice topic! :)

Versitality is really important to be a singer just as it is needed to be a dancer... I mean a complete singer is that individual who has the capability of singing all types of songs- classical, pop, something peppy... That shows a singer range...

I mean sur and taal are important but I think versitality tops them all...

Great post...

@CutiePieRani

Great thread once again! And I'm glad that you've allowed everyone to give their opinions rather than imposing your opinion on us!

Yes, versatility is very important. BUT you have to define versatility first. If it means being able to project various emotions, then yes, all artists should be versatile! BUT if you think that artists should be able to cope with different schools of singing/dance altogether, I think that's not required at all.

Firstly, you don't need to be versatile in the 'many genres/schools' sense in order to be a great dancer. What about Pandit Birju Maharaj who is genius at kathak but I doubt he can do the waltz. Or Pandit Kelucharan Mohapatra...

In a similar vein, to be a great singer, you have to have one genre of singing (filmi, ghazal, khayal, thumri) at least. And within that genre you should be able to express many emotions. But doesn't mean we should expect Udit Narayan to start doing hiphop!

Secondly, you CAN be a great playback singer without any classical training. For one, we have had great music directors who are classically untrained, e.g. Anu Malik and O P Nayyarsaab. And in the singing sphere, we have some of the most successful: Kishore Kumar, Sunidhi Chauhan, KK. Believe it or not - they are all classically untrained! They have trained themselves vigorously and reached their levels of perfection without learning about khayal gaayaki!

Thanks rani for sharing the videos.

Its so great to read all your opinions on this matter. Each and every response is detailed and to the point. Okay versatitaliy in my opinion for singing purposes only is defined as a singer who can really show different forms of music in their voice and singing. For example there are many different styles of singing like classical, devotional, sad, expressive, slow, fast, songs with a higher difficulty level etc etc etc. Then their can be a lot of versatility in voice modulation, pitches, sur, taal, etc. It all depends on how one defines the term, and each individual has their own interpretation of the world.

You all bring up great points though. In a singing reality show like Indian Idol or SRGMP we are looking for the BEST singer. In that sense, YES versatility is a must. A complete performer is one who can attempt different styles. Now attempting different styles and not excelling too well in them is two different things. Here's how I look at it. If a contestant tries a new style of singing but doesn't do so well in it, I'd give him the credit for at least going out of his genre and attempting something different. However reality shows don't work that way and if a singer tries something new and doesn't do so well in the genre, then he/she may have a higher chance of getting eliminated whether its by audience voting or judge voting. Just a sad fact of reality shows. I've seen it with SRGMP and with DID.

Now as far as versatility in our well known established singers there is a glitch. Xobile, you have said it very well in your post. Although I strongly believe the versatility is an important factor in a singer, it is not everything. Yes we have singers out there who only sing one genre of songs, but are the BEST in that genre. Truly hats off to them. But only if they show more variation and versatility can they become bigger and better. Versatility is only going to help them recieve even greater heights. Its not going to help us listeners with anything. Its only going to affect the singer. So I think that trying different styles is a great opportunity to show that you can do a lot more than what you have showcased. Same goes for classical training. Of course it is not necessary. We have enough singers in our industry who are the best of the best without classical training. But again classical training is only going to make you the singer better. Again its really not going to affect the audience much. Its going to make the singer a bigger and better singer. Everything that I have mentioned about classical training has come from my own experience in singing. Everyone has told me that if I take classical lessons, there will be a big turnover in my quality of voice. And I believe it. It is so true. Classical is the foundation of music. I'm not saying that those that don't have any classical training are less superior than those that do. Its just my own point of view. Non classical singers can excel too if their dedication and commitment is strong enough.

At the end of the day, whether you're a trained or untrained singer, whether you have that classical background or not, whether you are versatile or not, if you have the dedication, commitment, passion, talent, and love for whatever it may be (singing, dancing, acting, modeling) you will always succeed. Never will you fail with those qualities. That's the motto that I live by!

Originally posted by: JaspalToronto

Thanks rani for sharing the videos.

I like Alkaji's Hanuman Chalisa, beautifully sung.

As far as versatility is concerned, its better if a professinal singer is versatile and should be able to sing all type of songs. You know Rani, Alkaji has dedicated all her life to music and Ma saraswatti lives in her throat. One time she said on national tv that she used to practic at least five to six hours every day. Any singer can improve her voice quality, through, pitch and modulation with riaz/practice but a formal training of classical music under the supervision of a qualified teacher is very important to become a play- back singer.

Alkaji has improved a lot with the experience and time. I remember Sonu Nigam was not versatile when he used to do stage shows, but he is a polished singer now, a complete package. Similarily Rafi Sahib wasn't versatile in the beginning, my grandfather had seen him singing in the streets of Lahor with harmonium hanging down his shoulders, before partition.

We have a new singer who sings punjabi folk and suffi kalams, if you have time please check him out on you tube. His name is Dr. Satinder Sartaj, he teaches music at punjab university in Chandigarh and he got P.hD. in music.

good luck with your music career.

Ya he's great...Love his jitt de nishaan...
And will sing this song if i get selected in Indian Idol

Let me ask you all something. How many singers in our industry or in reality shows like SRGMP or Indian Idol would be able to pull off the classical parts in these songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmMeWn8JDno

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6uJZwHNWOM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6uJZwHNWOM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfFtQSnOyGc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfFtQSnOyGc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIWtdQwaoz0

I don't think anyone without a strong classical foundation could pull off these songs well. I myself have tried to sing "aao naa" & "mere dholna" and could not sing the classical parts at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c9rc4CCND8

^as you can see i have struggled in the classical parts in this song despite singing with the chorus!

Originally posted by: Cutiepie Rani

Let me ask you all something. How many singers in our industry or in reality shows like SRGMP or Indian Idol would be able to pull off the classical parts in these songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmMeWn8JDno

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6uJZwHNWOM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6uJZwHNWOM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfFtQSnOyGc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfFtQSnOyGc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIWtdQwaoz0

I don't think anyone without a strong classical foundation could pull off these songs well. I myself have tried to sing "aao naa" & "mere dholna" and could not sing the classical parts at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c9rc4CCND8

^as you can see i have struggled in the classical parts in this song despite singing with the chorus!

Well many can...My brother rendered Albela Sajan better with just a harmonium and an electrical sitaar and tabla...
Being versatile is important. And many things matter in being versatile i.e. voice,scale, khanak etc...