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The
elusive Sukhvinder Singh has finally come out of his shell to judge the second
season of the musical reality show Voice of India. Despite
his cult status, the singer sounded like a novice who is learning the art of being
a reality show judge. So much so, that he wasn't even aware of all the happenings
of the first season of VOI. However, he gets full marks for his humility
and politeness. In this exclusive chat with Tellychakkar
Sukhvinder speaks on VOI, the death of culture in reality shows and more.
Read on.
Why
did it take you so long to be a judge on a reality show?
Offers
have been pouring since the last seven years. Pehle main halaat ki wajah se
nahi aata tha, par ab halat ki wajah se aa rahoo hoon (Earlier circumstances
didn't not allow me to come and now circumstances have forced me to come)
What are the circumstances that have forced you to come now?
Bahut batamezee ho gayi hai (There's too much of crap). The concept
is really good and I must laud the channels and producers for it but this is now
moving towards more of tamasha and less talent. There are other shows whose
hoardings have singers holding guns and weapons. The focus is now more on warring
judges than the singers. This crap will continue to take place but not forever.
But the warring judges and controversies attract more attention and
probably also more TRPs. You don't always need a controversy
to rake in TRPs. You can ring in style and grace. Rather than creating TRPs through
foul language, one should create talent. This is simply not done. Sangeet ek
sabhyata hai (Music is a tradition). It' a crime to have hoardings of musicians
holding weapons. I don't claim to change things overnight but we need to start
from somewhere. It is often alleged that we Indians
are blindly copying western reality shows and they too are known to have such
squabbles. Well, I haven't watched shows either here or abroad
but from hereon I'll start watching them. However, a genuine talent needs no reality
show to come up, woh toh behta hua paan haii; woh idhar ya udhar se aajayega
(a genuine talent can emerge from any direction) To quote the famous
poet Basheer Badr, "Pathar ke jigar walon gam main who rawani hai; khud
ko raah banaedey woh behta hua paani hai." What's
your primary reason to be on VOI? Technically speaking,
I'm a judge but I strongly believe that music cannot be judged.. There's a death
of culture which needs to be brought to life again. I'm here to inculcate the
social element. This can only be done by using innocent words. Is
a shy person like you cut out to be a reality show judge? Yes,
I'm shy and I will remain a reticent person. I will only speak when it's required.
Truth always has a shorter script thus it's remembered more. If I have any doubt,
then I've got two musical masters in Ismail and Monty to bail me out.
What do you think is required to be the Voice of India?
Tammeezzzz! Tehzeeb! (Good manners) A natural artiste will always
be well behaved. These sentences may sound ancient but there's lot of weight in
it. Singers and musicians are unsung heroes. The actors walk
away with most credit. Do you agree? I don't think a singer
or a composer should have this complex. Perhaps, there may be few singers who
were hurt by a particular incident but I've never had to face such ignominy. However,
once while traveling; I was made to sit in an economy class. When I questioned
that gentleman, he replied that club class is only for the stars while the singers
and other will have to sit in economy. I merely smiled back at him and he realized
his mistake. That's the attitude which most people should have and you will see
the same on Voice of India.
| | | | By
Mayur Lookhar | Posted
on 19 July 2008 7:00 pm | | | |