Mika Singh, the first choice of Punjabi music lovers

Starting a career as a harmonium player during Ramlila celebrations, now famous Punjabi singer Amrik Singh alias Mika Singh has come a long way in the last one decade.

By Siddhi

Mumbai, June 23 : Starting a career as a harmonium player during Ramlila celebrations, now famous Punjabi singer Amrik Singh alias Mika Singh has come a long way in the last one decade.

Mika Singh says: "The organisers of Ramlila (the enactment of Lord Rama's life), invited me to play the harmonium. I asked for rupees 3,000 for 10 days and played the harmonium and guitar. It was very exciting and I felt happy that I could earn that much money in 10 days."

With millions of fans across the country and abroad today, Mika Singh has given Punjabi music a distinct identity beyond popular Bhangra music. He sings with a nasal twang, a style not much appreciated by purists of the musical world earlier.

Be it any party, marriage or friendly get-together, if there is music then it has to have a stamp of Mika Singh' songs.

Songs like "Sawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag...," "Gabru....", "Something, Something Mere Yaar..." or the recent "Hai Tune Puppy Kyon Li" by Mika have literally shaken the Punjabi and non-Punjabi circles.

In 1991, when Daler Mehndi, Mika's elder brother, returned from the US, he was not well-known. But, he was a good singer, and his stage shows as a singer were great hits.

Mika Singh says: "Daler told me to join him and offered me a job as a guitarist. I was playing guitar in his group, but he didn't have much confidence in me. So, he made me stand next to him and I started singing, the rap".

He says: "In 1998, I made my debut with 'Saawan Mein Lag Gayee Aag'. Daler gave me six months time, and told me that if I did not to succeed, I could join him again. And, I sang 'Saawan Mein Lag Gayee Aag' without anyone's help. Slowly and steadily, I start gaining popularity and success."

He adds that despite not being comfortable with English, he did sing English rap.

Mika Singh says: "My singing with a nasal twang attracted both intense fans and the severest critics. Now, be it today's singers like Himesh Reshammiya or Atif Aslam, they sing with a nasal twang which has become a fashion. I take pride in the fact that I started the trend eight years ago".

The singer, who appears unperturbed with controversies touching him off and on, takes pride in the fact that people love him for his singing talent.

Mika says: "It's been almost ten years that I arrived in this field. I think my songs fascinate young at hearts. My achievement is my albums and songs that entertain without boring. They like Mika and this is what I like too".

ANI