‘He shot up like a rocket’

Q You were a guest on K for Kishore for two episodes. How did you end up as a judge on the show?

I was invited as a guest along with my stepmother and brother and we all had good time watching the singers singing my father's songs. The show started with two judges but Sony asked me to stay on as the third judge. K for Kishore is an interesting show and I am enjoying it. In fact, it helps relive the magic of my father's mesmerising voice.

Q The participants are all professional singers. How do you find their singing? Do you think anyone is closest to Kishore Kumar's voice?

Yes, they all are professional singers in their own way and the common factor they share is that they are all die-hard Kishoreda fans. This is a big platform for them to showcase their talent. There are three or four singers like Arnob Chakravarty, Chaitan and Milind who are really good. But they all need to work hard. It is one thing to sing my father's songs but it's not easy to sing like Kishore Kumar. He was a genius and there can't be another Kishore Kumar. The fact that someone thought of doing a show on him is a great tribute to his status as singer.

Q Do you think these days it's much easier to be a singer than the time when you started your career?

It's easy in the sense that there are lots of opportunities like talent hunt shows and private albums which give lot of exposure to newcomers. At least the introduction part is being taken care of. If you have taken part in a talent hunt or done an album or two, it makes it easier for you to approach music directors and companies. These days music directors also find singers through talent hunts. In my father's days things were very difficult. That era was quite different. But there was melody in those days.

Q What do you find missing in today's music and singing?

Music has little depth and singing is less melodious. Technology is helping a lot in hiding faults and shortcomings. The old orchestra has been done away with completely. How many good singers do we have today? We have hit songs but how many good and memorable songs do we have today?

Q Why did you take a backseat as a singer?

I have sung many songs. But I didn't like certain things about the industry. Recording companies started dictating terms to music directors. The commercial element started creeping in and creativity went for a toss. But I have not taken sanyas from singing. It's not that I am sitting at home in a saree. I still do playback singing and stage shows.

Q Do you find it difficult to live up to your father's image? Have the expectations been bit too much?

Let's leave Kishoreda alone. He was a legend. There can't be another singer like him. He shot up like a rocket as a singer and ruled the industry for 19 years. I have had a good journey as a singer.

Q You think K for Kishore is doing justice to the range and repertoire of Kishore's songs?

No, it is not. Mostly popular songs are sung repeatedly. I hope less popular but good songs are sung too.

Q But is that feasible?

Yes, that's a big problem. I think a show on Kishore Kumar will not end even in 25 episodes.

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