Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues.

Oliver Goldsmith

Sitting across me at the Bombay Club restaurant table is Udit Narayan, beloved Bollywood playback singer.There is an easy familiarity with which he greets me even though we have never met before. It is a proverbial ‘ dark and stormy night’ and the windows rattle and shake periodically as thunder and lightening light up the skies.

Udit attracts a lot of attention in the restaurant and waiters as well as patrons request to be photographed with him. Always obliging, Udit and his wife Deepa, have an endearing air of simplicity about them. Udit pleads fatigue when I request an interview during dinner but agrees readily to talk to lokvani the day of the concert.
I meet him again the next day, backstage at the Lowell Memorial hall at half time. Having sung for an hour and fifteen minutes without taking a break, he has worked up a sweat. After changing his clothes and freshening up, Udit and Deepa sit down and chat with me till it is time for him to go on stage again.

Chitra: Where do you get this kind of energy to perform non-stop and with such perfection ?

Udit Narayan: (smiling modestly) I enjoy singing and this crowd is encouraging! My fans give me the energy and encouragement. ?

Chitra: About your background, I know that you started off your career in radio singing sings in Mythali ?

Udit: Yes, yes, I started that way, I was with the Kathmandu Radio station as a folk singer, singing in Nepalese and Mythali, before moving to Bombay and training in classical music at the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan. From Udit Narayan Jha I became Udit Narayan.

Chitra: What has the success of Lagaan and its music meant to you, your career?

Udit: It was and still is like a dream, we knew it would be a hit, but we all were surprised and very very happy that it got the Oscar nomination. Everyone was devastated when Lagaan did not win. Everyone in India, every Indian, all over the world, was hoping it would get an Oscar. Wherever I go I am asked to sing the O ri Chori maan bhi le the song from Lagaan, people seem to love it so much.

Chitra: Which music director do you enjoy working with, the most?

Udit: That’s hard to say. I really find Rahman’s music most challenging and fun, I also like working with Anu Malik,Uttam Singh and Rajesh Roshan and the very talented Ismail Durbar.

Chitra: And your favorite co singer?

Udit : Again I like them all. Lata ji is the very best and Alka Yagnik comes close. She is the most talented and versatile among this generation of singers and it is a pleasure to work with her. She is also full of energy and enthusiasm.

Chitra: What are your upcoming projects?

Udit There are many many interesting and good songs I am recording, my fans will love them all very much.

Chitra: Do you enjoy these musical tours and singing for concerts abroad?

Udit: I do, I prefer to do one every three or four years. I don’t like to do too many cities. Tomorrow I am performing in California, which means that we have to fly out in the early hours and I will not be able to rest my voice fully. But, sometimes, ho jaata hai scheduling mein problem!

Chitra: How many more concerts in this tour?

Udit: After the one in California, we have to perform in the West Indies, Surinam and in Holland. Then we head back home.

Chitra: I saw your son’s name in the list of performers, why is he not touring?

Udit: He will be going into 10th grade next year and is studying for his exams, we did not want him to miss out.He is a good singer but education is so important, na? This was an unfortunate scheduling conflict.

Chitra: Is Deepa performing today?

Udit: Yes she is, the last song, maybe. She is very good ( looks at Seema teasingly)

Chitra: what is your message to your lokvani readers and fans?

Udit: Please continue to support my music, I am here, I am Udit because of the love and support off my fans. I want to thank you all for loving my music.

Chitra: Finally, one hears all the time about how hard it is to be a successful singer in Hindi movies. There are so many talented singers and none to guide them. What is your advice to fledgling aspiring singers?

Udit: I had to work very hard and be very patient for where I am today. Hard work is the key, do not give up. Keep working hard till you have what you have always wanted and you will get it.

Chitra: Are you saying that you got everything you ever desired?

Udit: (Laughs and shrugs)

Chitra: It has been great talking to you and the lokvani team as well as our readers wish you luck!

Udit: Thank you, please convey my love to my fans.

Udit Narayan was born in a small village in the Nepal-India border . His father was a farmer and mother, a singer. Udit’s path to fame was full of hard work, perseverance and toil.
After singing in Rajesh Roshan’s Unnees Bees and RD Burman’s Bade Dilwala, where his work went unnoticed, Udit continued his struggle to get a stronger foothold up the popularity ladder.
His first major break came, when recommended by the music director duo Anand-Milind , film maker Mansoor Khan decided to give this fresh young voice a chance to sing for debutant Aamir Khan in the film Qayamat se qayamat tak. Papa kehte hai was an unprecedented hit song and the rest, as they say, is history.

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