Rajiv Vijayakar
He lost the Indian Idol 2 title by a hair's breadth. But while the winner is hardly heard, Karunya, who sang 'Aane char aane' in Lage Raho Munnabhai and a song in Jai Santoshi Maa, has however hit big-time in films being made in his mother-tongue Telugu. It's time for a rapid-fire chat as Karunya also got Leslie Lewis to compose his debut self-titled album
After just two Hindi films, where have you disappeared?
I have been lucky to be very busy down South. In the one year since I became Indian Idol runner-up I recorded for about 60 films, some of which had more than one song of mine. What's more, the music directors include the biggest names like Manisharma, Harrys Jairaj, Anoop Reubens, Vande Mataram Srinivas and S.A.Rajkumar. I won the 2006 Ugadi Puraskar for Best Singer for a song in Orugalluke Pilla that was enacted by Mahesh Babu, a superstar. But why are Hindi films taking time?
I don't know - frankly I am a bit puzzled because I fulfill all requirements. I am in touch with all current names like Salim-Sulaiman, Vishal-Shekhar, Pritam, Shankar Mahadevan and also Himesh Reshammiya, who's simply amazing in terms of his recent success. You took time even for an album.
I had a definite concept and was looking out for the right label that gave me creative freedom and I found it in Times Music. My album has a broad theme, for it was my vehicle to exhibit my versatility. Also, I wanted it to reflect me as a person, that is my attitude, energy, my romantic nature, my passion for music and singing - in fact, it's USP had to be me, Karunya, and so the album was self-titled. One kind of song can get boring. If you recollect, on Indian Idol I was the only contestant to sing everything from 'One love' to classical numbers. Your album is fresh both in content and the team behind it.
Luckily the team I got was great. Madhu Sarkar, sister to filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar made my video. Leslie's nine tracks got every shade into my album - despite having a Western orientation, Leslie also can metamorphose. Leslie understood me, spent time with me and probed into what I wanted and was interested in doing. He is like a father-figure and mentor and doing the album was like a picnic! The lyrics are by Kumaar and Ravi who are both very good. Kumaar's worked a lot with Vishal-Shekhar. How much have you evolved in this one year?
I had so much time to explore. There is a sea-change in me and I think that I have matured a lot. I have been travelling and perfoming live and there's no better way to open up one's mind. Playback also gives you a different high whatever be the language. Are you choosy or will take up whatever work that comes?
As of now, for me there is no right or wrong or small or big song. I am building my own little repertoire. It is touching to know as I keep travelling how much people love me, have supported and voted for me. Even after over a year, the best part is that they remember me.I got a great response in USA, UAE and East Africa. Live shows are a reality check. But I know one thing - that for every one person who knows me, there are ten who do not. But a good singer is noticed, though it may take time. Are you into classical training now?
My basic training has been very classical but right now I do not have the time and with my goal of being an all-rounder it is not top priority. But for someone who's not into it I have had the memorable privilege of performing at the Golconda Festival on the same platform as classical greats like Taufiq Qureshi, Parveen Sultana, Kadiri Gopinath who is the saxophone legend and the Wadali Brothers. I have also sung the 45-minute Ramadasa kirtanas. Besides this, I have done a bit of anchoring and am now hosting Zee's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs in Telugu.
Source: http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=17535#
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Ganesh Kartikeya
