Indian Idol2 finalist Karunya (Article)

Indian Idol 2 finalist NC Karunya is all set to make his place in the music industry with his recently launched debut Hindi album

Twenty one-year-old Karunya who captured the heart of many music-lovers with his melodious voice during Indian Idol 2, is back with his solo Hindi album, Karunya. Leslie Lewis has composed the music for the album and Madhu Sarkar has produced the video. The album is a melting pot of romantic and peppy tracks. While talking about the album Karunya says, "All the nine tracks in the album are fresh and breezy. The album does not fall in any particular genre as it has a blend of earthy and heavenly love."

Karunya, who hails from Hyderabad made his debut in Bollywood as a playback singer with the song 'Aane Charaane' in the film Lage Raho Munnabai. His musical journey began at the age of five when he started learning Carnatic music. "Since most of my family members are into classical music, I didn't need to go out in search of a guru," he says. At the age of seven he had already 'cracked' his very first Telugu music album Chirurigimalu that was dedicated to children. Since then there has been no looking back and his music sessions kept progressing simultaneously with his studies.

But the breakthrough into the Indian music industry happened with Indian Idol 2 in November 2005 that got him from Hyderabad to Mumbai. "It was my dream to perform in Indian Idol. However, I didn't know how to realise my dream because talent-hunt shows in Hindi were not very popular in south India. Although I was sceptical about participating in the contest, with the support of family and friends I went ahead with participating in the show."

The initial culture shock and fast pace of life posed a problem for this up-coming singer. However, almost after two years he is smitten by the city of his dreams. "I am simply addicted to Mumbai and its fast life. I am here to stay," asserts Karunya.

While the stiff competition existing in the music industry is a cause for concern for many an established playback singer, Karunya feels that this industry is big enough to accommodate everyone who is talented. He believes, "I don't think that I need to feel insecure as long as I believe in myself."

So where would he like to see himself ten years down the line? Karunya answers with a smile, "I would like to launch my first international music album in order to reach out to maximum number of music lovers around the globe." He certainly will be scaling new heights.

(Pic: Pradeep Chandra)