Singh Song

Back in the 1960s,when Raj Kapoor rendered the classic Laga chunari mein daag on screen in Manna Deys sonorous voice,a young man named Kartar Singh,who was then living in Agra,wanted to learn the nuances of Indian classical music.

Sixty-three-year-old Kartar Singh is a unique sight,as he sings and dances as a reality show contestant

Back in the 1960s,when Raj Kapoor rendered the classic Laga chunari mein daag on screen in Manna Deys sonorous voice,a young man named Kartar Singh,who was then living in Agra,wanted to learn the nuances of Indian classical music. It was a clandestine pursuit,since his family did not approve of his interest in music. Cut to 2011 and Singh is seen crooning a slew of his idols numbers with equal gusto,if not dexterity,on Sony Televisions reality show X Factor. Singh,63,is one of the Top 12 contestants on the show and probably the only senior citizen,who is a part of a mainstream reality show in India.

Till 1973,Singh did stage shows but gave it up to begin working at Nagar Nigam in Agra. I thought there was no money in the music industry and had a family to take care of,so I joined the government service, says Singh,who retired in 2007 and started afresh in music.

Story continues below this ad

Now part of mentor Shreya Ghoshals team,Singh sings lilting melodies by legendary singers like Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar. Singh may not be a fan of the more recent Bollywood composers, but does not shy away from singing almost-gibberish and street songs on the show. There is no comparison between the music of legends like Kishore Kumar,Mohammad Rafi,R D Burman,Manna Dey and todays music. Uss zamane mein ek gaana 10-12 din mein record hota tha,lekin ab sirf 3 ghante lagte hai , says Singh,where he is shooting for the show.

Grandfather of three,it is the sense of nostalgia in his voice that seems to be working for now. Last week,while performing a solo number,Singh dressed in the 70s clothes,did a little jig with a dance partner and sang too. He looked visibly uncomfortable but covered it up with a smile. I have a tough time figuring out the choreography bit. I get scared sometimes because the set is slippery and I fear falling down on stage. Bahut atpata lagata hai mujhe. Everyone is not Kishore da, he reveals.

Irrespective of the love and adulation that he is being showered with by the judges Sanjay Leela Bhansali,Sonu Nigam and Ghoshal Singh faces tough competition from the younger contenders. Some like Amit Jadhav attract attention through their dancing skills combined with music prowess,while others like the Sajda sisters,marvel the audience with their synchronised singing. But Singh is unfazed. Old is gold, he says with aplomb. He further adds, X Factor has paved way for many people of my age to express themselves on this platform.

While all is seemingly well,Singh has an uphill task. His three-year-old granddaughter Pari is miffed with her grandfather for he danced with a woman on stage during his performance. I apologised, he laughs.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Singh Song

Back in the 1960s,when Raj Kapoor rendered the classic Laga chunari mein daag on screen in Manna Deys sonorous voice,a young man named Kartar Singh,who was then living in Agra,wanted to learn the nuances of Indian classical music.

Back in the 1960s,when Raj Kapoor rendered the classic Laga chunari mein daag on screen in Manna Deys sonorous voice,a young man named Kartar Singh,who was then living in Agra,wanted to learn the nuances of Indian classical music.