Interview : Himesh updates about his plan

Excerpts from the Interview:

How did you feel when you sang live before the audience?

It is the first time I am performing on this scale before live audiences. I have performed before fans in several cities in India and the Gulf, but I believe the American experience is more electrifying. It is a new challenge for me, and I am performing with all humility. Live audiences are quite demanding. They shower you with love and admiration, but only if you have done a very good job. And that means I should also be a good performer. When I performed in India, I had expected mostly young listeners to do the foot-tapping. But I was surprised to see people of all ages getting excited about my music. And then I realized the reason. I compose raga-based music, which means it has to appeal to people of all generations. Of course, I increase the tempo keeping young people in mind.

Your shows have been amazingly successful. What do you have to say about it?

I would say that it's God's blessings that the US trip has been very successful. We have performed in the platform where International artistes perform. It was overwhelming to perform in front of the full packed audience during the eighteen-city tour over one and a half month.

I come across so many rumours about me everyday. People have decided that I'm doing a film and have even invented a title for it. Wait till I make an announcement during my Wembley Show in London on 29th October.

Then why have you been refusing singing, composing and acting offers off late?

Acting offers don't hold importance to me, as I have never considered acting as a career option. I've just performed in my videos. Regarding composing and singing I've decided that I shall do only four films a year now because I want to be exclusive. I strive for job satisfaction. I have refused fifteen sixteen films in last one month. Whatever former films I've worked on will be my forthcoming release like Vipul Shah's 'Namaste London'. I've worked with Javed Akhtar sahab for the first time and its music is very good. Also there is Firoze Nadiadwala's 'Fool and Final', Anees Bazmee's 'Welcome', Subhash Ji's 'Good Boy Bad Boy', and Anil Sharma's 'Apne'. I want to deliver just the best and that is what I'm trying.

Is it true that you are starting a music school?

I had made an announcement to start a music school and it will be called Himesh Reshammiya School of Music. My school will be a platform to the best talent in the country and I'll give them break in shows, music. My school will have the best teachers from India and abroad and music education will be imparted in Indian Classical, Semi Classical, Pop, Jazz, DJ, Rock, Sufi Rock, Keyboard, Violin, Rhythm Section comprising around ten to twelve sections in various genres of music. I will be taking about 10 000 per centre. And there will be two centers per city and it will be in all the metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. I plan to start the school from April.

***image:3:left** You and Sonu Nigam seem to be at war of words.

All these are just rumours. There is no doubt about it that Sonu Nigam is one of the best singers. Why should I go to the media speaking against him? I have never said anythings against him or bad about him. Sonu is a friend, a colleague and a very talented singer and I respect him very much. I'm shy and that has been misunderstood as my arrogance often.

You're being criticized for composing repetitive music. Comments.

Since the last five years I've been alleged with the same. But I've given 'Chunri', pop numbers like 'Just Chill', 'Bardasht', 'Nikamma', 'Mohabbat Hai Mirchi' and also semi classical genre to pure classical with 'Banaras'. 'Aksar', '36 China Town', 'Aap Ka Suroor' had Sufi touch. I am moving onto world music with folk music with contemporary rhythm in my forthcoming films. So where is the resemblance?

You're heard more often in your album and other male singers are often left out. Do you give more preference to yourself?

I never want to do so many songs. It's the producers and the actors who insist me to doing so many songs. In the phase of September-October due to Shraadh and Ramzaan most of my albums have released and so people are feeling there is an overdose of Himesh Reshammiya. That's the reason I've cut down on my work and I'm concentrating on quality.

When my father is happy with my music, I know I have done something good, and there is no question of generation gap. In the last six months, I have had 27 chart busters, and my album Aap Ka Suroor has given the music industry a new life and confidence. I feel I am preparing to be rejuvenated and go back home and record some more hit songs. Quite often, when I am recording a song or getting ready for a concert, I pray. And then I invoke the blessings of some of the people who have been extraordinarily kind to me. I also thank them from the bottom my heart. I thank my father for instilling deep confidence in me, for training me and not allowing me to lose heart. And then I thank Salmanbhai for giving me my first big break and continuing to support me. I feel I am in a different world and I feel I could sing all night. When you sing from your heart, from your soul, and from the deepest part of your body, and you consider each concert as a prayer.

Copyright 2006 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com