Calcutta: We have seen many a cricketer on song, but not often do we see a cricketer singing a song professionally.
Shakti Singh falls in that rare list. A former all-rounder who played for Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, Shakti is now a BCCI match referee and has officiated in many first-class games. At the same time, he's a playback singer, having sung in Bollywood movies Life Partner, Patiala House, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? and so on.
And do not think that music comes after cricket for Shakti, who is in the city as match referee for the ongoing Ranji Trophy tie between Assam and Saurashtra at Eden Gardens. The 48-year-old in fact said that he will never compromise on music as that's his passion.
"Music is my passion... Since college days, I was fond of classical music and I still find some time out to practise that.
"For me, music comes from within and when it becomes a passion, you can never compromise on it. Music is divine for me," he said.
Asked how he divides time between cricket and music, Shakti admitted that it's not easy, but added that it's music that helps him relax as well.
"Look, I'm always ready to make time for singing. It helps me relax, so there's no question of that being troublesome to me because of cricket or other activities," he said.
However, he added: "But having said that, sometimes you do feel a bit of pressure. Being a registered match referee, I have to be dedicated to this job as well. I have a job at Customs too, which I cannot neglect at all.
"But again, singing calms me down and relaxes me. As I said, since I love singing, it never makes me feel as if I'm burdened with work."
Retiring from cricket in the 2002-03 season, Shakti finished with 200 wickets from 58 first-class matches.
He had also hit 128 for Himachal against Haryana in the 1990-91 Ranji Trophy, hitting a record 14 sixes.
At present, Shakti wants to see his daughter Shivranjani making it big in music.
"She has sung in some films and I believe she has a great future. As a father, I just want her to keep rising," he wished.
