The gang from Control Nai Hunda Ramji Gulati, Tochi Raina, Neeru Rawal

You come from a family with a musical background. Tell us about your growing up years?

I am from Patiala in Punjab. My grandmother was a sitar player, uncle Ratan Singh was a renowned violin player and my grandfather Akaali Kaur Singh was a saint. Till 28, I got a taste of all kinds of musical genres. I learnt singing, playing different instruments and composing among others. I was learning music since childhood but it was in 1981 I got the right guidance under the tutelage of my first mentor late Guru Pandit Vinod Kumar (who was disciple of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and received Tansen Award at 19 years). I am grateful to all my gurus but he is very close to my heart as he is the one who showed me the path to become what I am today. I have also learned from Ustad Bhure Khan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Altaf Hussain Sarang, Pandit Mani Prasad and Pandit Sitaram. Last but not the least, I owe a lot to my parents.

Soulful singer:Tochi Raina

How did you develop an inclination towards Sufism?

My mentor Pandit Vinod Kumar introduced me to Sufism and spiritualism. I have learnt music by meditating for hours and reading spiritual books given to me. I try my best to imbibe those lessons and tread on the spiritual path. I have been practicing music and meditation for 33 years, and now it has become a part of my life. I would like to share that for me Sufism is, ‘To make a direct connection with God through the beautiful words coming straight from the heart’. This is a saint and fakir’s singing and I think I am a fakir by heart.

Who are the musicians to have inspired you?

I am inspired by my gurus Pandit Vinod Kumarji, Ustad Hussain Baksh, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Bhure Khan Saab.

Are you happy with what you have done till now? What is your ultimate dream? Yes, I am pretty content with what I have achieved till now. God has been really kind. But my burning desire is to bring global recognition for my band — Band of Bandagi.

Tell us a bit about your projects like Band of Bandagi and Control Nai Hunda?

Band of Bandagi is my live band and in future we are planning to compose music for films. Control Nai Hunda is my latest album with music director Ramji Gulati. We have also formed a band called Punjabi Squad 61 that features me, Ramji, Neeru Rawal, DJ Aashikaa and Dholi Brothers.

All your Bollywood songs are quite different from usual songs and are loved by one and all. Which one is your favourite song?

O Pardesi from the movie Dev D will always remain my favourite.

Who are your favourite singers?

Mehdi Hassan and Lata Mangeshkar

Which music director do you love working with?

I love working with Amit Trivedi the most. He is extremely talented.

How was your experience performing in Odisha? Given a chance, would you like to sing an Odia song?

I have never visited Odisha before, but I found the people here to be very affectionate. I would definitely love to sing a song in Odia but more than that I would want to do justice to the song.

Pratyush Patra