SUKHWINDER SINGH is now the most renowned singer in Bollywood. The voice behind "Chaiya Chaiya" has become the most sought-after singer in India's Tinseltown. His career took off with the movie Dil Se. AR Rahman, always interested in something new, used Singh for the unforgettable "Chaiya Chaiya," and for the singer, that was that. Despite carping critics, it was no flash in the pan, and Singh is now regarded as a sensitive and eloquent singer.

Other films followed, notable among them Taal, Biwi No 1, 1947/Earth, Daag, Dillagi, and Thakshak, which have now made him a household word. Singh owes a large part of his success to Rahman's encouragement, and makes no effort to gloss over that fact.

Singh has been single-minded in his approach: he wishes to do little else but sing and compose music. Balwantrai Jaswal, a well-regarded singer in Punjab, guided him, but most of his learning, as he says so himself, has occurred by just listening and imbibing.

Rahman and Singh are presently working very closely together, and the duo have decided to make music that is not tailor-made to fit in with films, but to venture into realms where they can truly express themselves.

Apart from his work with Rahman, he is also engaged in a few other projects. He is back with Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya…, where he is working with music director Sandeep Chowta. He is planning to set up a hi-tech recording studio in Mumbai, and save himself the trouble of recording and experimenting on somebody else's time.

06/06