|  CyberSansar : Exclusive
Upclose with Kamal
Man Singh
-By Sampada Malla <sampada@cybernepal.com.np>
-Photos by: CyberNepal Internet Magazine
(The article and photos may not be reproduced
in any medium without the written permission of the publisher.)
“ Sakina ……Birsana …Uh ho….
Timilai Ma….
Maya mero juni juni….
Rahirahancha….
Kasto hamro maya….
Ekaipal chutna garho….”
Have you listened to the songs
of the album“ Few words” ? If you have, I am sure the music must
have captured your hearts. And if you haven't , I bet, you are missing
a lot!!!! According to Kamal Man Singh , “ Few words” is one of
his best creations, till date. “ I have tried to generate versatile
music in the album.” Kamal remarks.
As I listened to the songs of the album, a curiosity rose within
me.“ Kamal Man Singh himself is a renowned name amongst the Nepali
pop singers. Then why did he not sing all of his beautiful compositions
? Rather, why did he distribute his compositions to his contemporary
singers?” I wondered. Days later, I received my answer during the
up close with the singer. “ Every singer has their own distinctive
style of singing. I remember Sanjeev Singh for soft music while
Anil Singh for high pitch ones. I have my own pattern and I do not
fit in every music of mine.” An impressive answer from singer and
composer , Kamal Man Singh. True, but we Nepalese quest to do everything
by ourselves no matter whether we possess the capabilities or not.
Where does Kamal stand amidst such scenarios?“ A composer has an
important role while forming a song. Will a mother destroy or harm
her creations in order to fulfill her selfish demands?” Kamal's
question is in fact his answer to my query.
Some decades ago, when Kamal Man Singh was born, his parents were
glad that their son would , some day, take over their family business.
An extremely shy child, Kamal was an average student during his
school days. “ I was very interested in football in my childhood.
As a child, I aimed to be a footballer.” Kamal recalls his former
days.In those days, besides football, listening to music and singing
to those tunes were his supreme interests. However, he never aspired
to be a singer or a composer. Surprisingly, after he passed his
SLC, the music fever attracted him and led him to the journey of
recording a song.“ As per my interests, I along with a group of
my friends used to spend our leisure time singing songs. I , personally,
used to try out new tunes with the help of a guitar.During the process,
one day, I composed a song. ” Kamal candidly mentions.After several
compositions, Kamal realized that the songs were useless if the
songs were unable to reach the masses. Thus, the concept of recording
a song took birth. Kamal started saving his pocket money and with
sufficient money in his closet, he rushed towards the recording
studio and recorded his first song. Alas! But when he heard his
recorded song, he completely disliked it.“ I hated my voice, my
music, everything. A sudden frustration ruled me. ” He emotionally
says.To add more, Kamal did not receive any kind of support from
his family. Due to immense frustration, he ran out of Kathmandu
seeking peace. It was only later that he returned back home and
started working harder with his music.
“ Hard work always pays.” With a smile,Kamal Man Singh voices. In
the year 1999, he received the fortune to demonstrate his musical
skills in the collection album “All in one” . Then followed other
collection albums serially.With beautiful songs like “ Parkhai ko
Peeda” and “O katti meetho maya” , Kamal Man Singh rose to stardom.
His husky voice and his unique style of music appealed the music
lovers. “ Today, I am proud with my profession. If I had been a
businessman, perhaps, I would have earned much more but I would
never receive such love and appreciation from the people.I am very
very happy with what I am today.” Words do not require defining
the happiness that seems to overpower the singer's personality.
Kamal defines music as a supreme feeling. “ Music is one of the
most prior things in the world. There is no person in the world
who dislikes music. ” Kamal marks. If music is a feeling, then why
is music tied up into various divisions, rules and regulations?“
Music is independent. But, yes, a grammar is required.It is a medium
of expression. Divisions, rules and regulations are man made, perhaps
, to refine and polish the feelings.” Kamal intellectually answers.“It
hurts when I hear the established singers commenting about the pop
music. I do not agree to their comments and arguments . Every singer
has a right to experiment and introduce innovative styles.” Agreed
about the rights. But what if a song has no grammar? “ Those songs
will never appeal the listeners. And about the grammar, no music
or song can exceed beyond the seven tunes, Saregamapadhanisha. Also
a censor board can be established to filter the songs.” Kamal's
words reach my ears.
A bachelor ,Kamal says that it will take couple of years for him
to tie the knots. “ It will happen one day.” He laughs. At home,
Kamal is a Mama's son and helps his mother with the house chores.“
When I am free, I cook food . I also wash the dishes and clean my
room. It is often that I bring vegetables from the vegetable vendors.”
Kamal nonchalantly says. “ I love doing the household works and
I believe that a person should learn such things as well.I do not
shy away from these tasks.” Boldly Kamal marks.
“ I do not agree that I am popular. People have just started recognising
me.” Simplicity is one of the various things that the singer is
embedded with. A down to earth person is how I define the composer
and the singer after spending couple of hours with him. I gesticulated
to interrogate lots of questions to Kamal Man Singh during the rendezvous.
Some interesting ones are listed below.
 1.
What , in your opinion is pop music?
Pop is derived from the word popular. So, any music which gets popular
is pop music, in my opinion.
2. You are a popular
singer and composer. What are the qualities that a singer and a
composer should possess?
Creativity, music knowledge and innovativeness are required in a
composer and a singer. A composer is the creator while a singer
furnishes the creation .Above all, the qualities for a singer and
a composer are inherent.
3. We are aware
about your fan following. Any special incident that you would love
to share with us?
Yes. It was during the musical tour to Dharan. After the completion
of the show, one of the organisers invited me to his home. There,
I was introduced to a blind boy. I came to know that he was my fan
and he knew all of my songs by heart. As I tried to converse with
the boy, he could not believe that his favorite singer was so near
to him. He touched me and tried to feel me.He even requested me
to sing a song. I still recall the picture of that day.
4. Talking about
the present musical situation, a song becomes a hit but the song
has no longevity. What is the reason behind it?
Today, many qualititive songs are being produced. Therefore,today,
there are high competitions. Better and beautiful songs are produced
day to day that a listener has myraid choices of good songs. About
the longevity, the song might have seemed to be lost, but it has
its own position. People remember such songs for a long time span.
5. Your future plans?
I am recently working for my next album. The album will be released
after couple of months.
6. What are your
messages to the upcoming singers and composers?
Try, try, try untill you succeed. If you have the capability and
the potentiality, one day , you will definately make it. Failures
are ladders to success.And, always keep away from drugs. Learning
music is also equally important.
7. Any last words.....
First of all , I would like to thank Cybernepal, one of Nepal's
best internet magazines for providing me the oppurtunity to express
my views and feelings. Lastly, save music and stop piracy.Thankyou!
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