Sa Re Ga Ma is my baby: Sonu Niigaam

Sonu Nigam has returned to his roots. In 1995, the singer took to hosting a musical show and within few years he made it a legend. In 2000, he left the show but eight years later, Sonu returns as a judge to the show that launched his career, and with a additional A and a I to his surname, on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs. Bollywood's numero uno singer talks about his return to Sa Re Ga Ma and more in a brief chat with Mayur Lookhar. What made you return to Sa Re Ga Ma after eight years? Sa Re Ga Ma is my baby. It was me who gave this title and also created the format. After I left, things have gone awry on Sa Re… but one thing hasn't change i.e. it's soul. Sa Re Ga has always valued good music and good singers. If that be the case, why did you leave Sa Re in the first place? I left Sa Re.. because was I wasn't' enjoying people calling me Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Sonu Niigaam. I wasn't comfortable with this tag and as it is I had other aspirations. Plus, I felt it had become monotonous. There were no differences but a certain discomfort level had crept in. So, I decided to move on. After you've left what's gone wrong in Sa Re Ga Ma? Whenever I met my friends they always told me that they no longer like watching Sa Re Ga Ma as controversies, squabbling judges have taken precedence over music. Often mentors manipulate the minds of the people by projecting their pupils as larger than life figures. Thus people are made to believe that an X is the best of all. Before joining L'il Champs, I made it clear to all that I wouldn't tolerate all this nonsense. So, I'm basically here to clean the system. I'm glad there is no gharana system in L'il Champs. What do you think of the L'il champs participants and also the winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007 - Aneek Dhar? I fear these kids. It's hard to believe that a person can sing so well at such a small age. As a judge, one wouldn't even like to say much to them. Aneek Dhar is as good a singer as a Raja or an Amanat. It's unfair to distinguish between equals. Reality shows unearth new singers but they don't seem to produce many playback singers. These reality shows provide a platform for talented singers to showcase their skills. We have many veteran ustaads (maestros) who are still struggling to earn their daily bread. The surfeit of musical shows has proved to be a boon for this current generation. If Abhijeet Sawant didn't win an Indian Idol then would any music company have approached him? Also, it's no longer about playback singing. The stage shows are proving to be a good means of earning for these singers. After all, most of them come from humble backgrounds. So, if they are getting Rs.10, 000, where otherwise they would have earned just few 100-200 bucks, it is indeed a significant growth for them. Despite its glorious past, Sa Re Ga Ma too has just produced one playback singer (Shreya Ghosal)? I in particular will vouch for that. I remember the time when Shreya suffered from a rough throat, I sang for her while she lip synced. I don't know whether she still remembers it. Shekhar and Kunal Gunjawala were eliminated from the first round. So, we can only take credit for Shreya. What's your take on the constant quarreling among the judges of reality shows? It is here where I would put the blame on the media too. Whenever a verbal war occurs, the news channels keep broadcasting it for the whole week. After all, you'll are just giving him/her free publicity. Why should one give importance to such an insignificant person? Before returning to Sa Re, I made it clear to all that I don't want any such volatile personality alongside me. I'm glad to have an intellectual personality such as Suresh Wadkar with me. While the musical shows are a hit on television, the music industry itself is going down badly. There are numerous reasons for it. I intend to write a theory on it. The plight of a singer can be best described from the fact that at the launch of any film music, it's the actor who is called to promote the music. Seldom do singers make an appearance. A viewer can watch the actor in the particular song daily on TV, so why will he/she buy a cassette. People often crib about how the music industry is going down but no one gives a thought to the fact that we don't promote our singers. In this era, it's all about marketing. For instance, a singer as great as Suresh Wadkar hardly gets film songs because some people don't reckon that his voice is suited for such singing. You have to give him a chance. You give 20 songs and I'm sure he'll produce one hit. However, the Indian audience too has changed. They appreciate films with no songs and their demand is now being met. What hope does it leave for a singer? I'll be glad if we never get to see no songs in a film. Let the actor themselves sing for their films. Actors in Hollywood do that, so even our actors should follow suit. Honestly, as a viewer I too wouldn't like to see a song in a film. It is really irritating to see a film where an actor, who is shown as a poor man, gets to sing and dance with his lover in Holland. Songs should only be there if required Why didn't we see you on Indian idol 3? After being there for two seasons, I reached a saturation point. Also, they started the third season a bit too late. At that time, I had already committed to my American tours. Plus, my wife was expecting so I had to turn it down. Former Shiva Sena and now Congress minister Narayan Rane stated that Uddhav Thackeray wanted to eliminate you. Were you really threatened? If Mr.Rane said it then he should be the best person to answer it. I find these stories very amusing. I've never bothered what such people have to say about me. After all, they have their own political agenda. Singers who sing like past greats are termed as an X or a Y clone and they aren't given much opportunities. You too were clubbed as a Rafi clone. So, how does one get rid of this? Honestly, there never has been a singer who hasn't been inspired by some one. Lataji had openly stated that she's a Noor Jahan clone. Ashaji was inspired by Guru Dutt, Rafi saab claimed to be a JM Durrani clone. Anybody who says that 'I'm original' is either lying or concealing his/her source of inspiration. What about Himesh Reshammiya? Isn't he original? Laughs! We are talking only about singers. You once made a statement that you want to shift to the US? Were you not happy with your life in India? I've been traveling to USA for the past few years and it's been a wonderful experience. I have a very dear friend, who's like family to me. In fact, my son Nevaan was born in his house. I jog with him, go out for parties and do the basic things in life which I couldn't do in India. I never wanted to live for others.and I'm glad that my stay in USA has given me peace of my mind. Sonu Niigaam is the best playback singer in India but is he also the country's No.1 singer? I've never praised myself. For me, there are just two names that I consider as the greatest. Mohammad Rafi is the male and Lataji is the female when it comes to the best singers of India.