Sukhdev : Singer

Name: Sukhdev

Designation: Singer

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Educational Experience
I took up music professionally at the early age of 15. I began playing keyboards and went on to programme entire songs by myself. Having acquired my early musical knowledge in light Indian and Western music through different experienced teachers, I later studied "Music Production & Performance" in East Berkshire College in the UK.

Professional Experience
The major break: Having developed skills in singing, music composition and direction, I first came to India in January 1999. Quick to realise that Bhangra being the flavour of the youth, my core audience, I signed on to T-Series to release my debut Punjabi pop album Solva Saal to break into the Indian market.

This extremely successful 'Platinum' album, was completely written, composed & arranged by me all by myself. MTV chose me as their Ubharta Sitarain July 1999. This was followed by a series of live performances all over India, which showcased my complete personality and I was accepted by audiences all-over as a 100 per cent entertainer.

Spurred by the success of 'Solva Saal', I teamed up with ace music director Jaidev & lyricist Dev Kohli to release another bhangra album Kudi Tu India Di on T-series music label in early 2001. With a video shot by the famous Anubhav Sinha Productions, this album too was well accepted and appreciated by the media and masses alike.

Latest album-New Avataar: Though my 'roots' are in Bhangra-Pop I did not want to limit myself but instead use my skills as a complete musician to the fullest. With this in mind, I decided to completely self-arrange and produce my third album, where I pay homage to some of my favourite evergreen Hindi classics, which I grew up on.

I have reworked on giving them a contemporary flavor and vibrancy that would appeal to the sensibilities of the new generation. Besides, having sung in 10 different languages in the past, I decided to sing these songs in the language of today's youth 'Hinglish', which would also help me connect with Indian youths world-wide and help spread my wings into the international market! The album, released by Crescendo Music in January 2003 titled My Heart Is Beating has already received a great response at music shops across India besides being No 1 on the Channel [V] charts.

The video on the title track has been directed by Anant Mahadevan, the famous TV actor and now film director (Dil Vil Pyar Vyar). The other reworked gems on the album are Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi si, Pucho na yaar kya hua, Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein, Sanam Teri Kasam, Jahan Teri Yeh Nazar Hai, Chandni Raatein. This refreshing album promises to be a sure-fire hit which will make everyone listen to it again and again because of its simple emphatic lyrics and new wave of dance rhythms.

My experimentative streak coupled with my ability to reinvent myself and to understand the pulse of the youth will ensure that my new album will appeal to my core audience. Leading music channel B4U Music had chosen me as Singer of the Nation for the month of January 2003.

Live act: I gave my first live performance at the tender age of 19 and since then have performed in several countries including UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, UAE, Tanzania and Uganda. Once popular as a one-man band (playing three keyboards, two drum machines, two sequencers and of course, my vocal chords simultaneously), I earned the sobriquet of being a stylish, young performer, famous for getting the audiences totally 'involved' in my shows - by occasionally breaking the "security code" and getting into the audience area and dancing with them or even bringing the audiences onstage to dance with me. I have my roots in Jullandhar, also have the widest range of songs for live shows, a glimpse of which is shown below:

Popular new Hindi film songs such as Na, Na, Na Re (Mrityudaata), Sona Sona (Major Saab), Tera Rang Balle Balle (Soldier), Tote Tote (Bichoo) and Kudiyan Sheher Diyan (Arjun Pandit).

At shows, my most popular songs from hit albums include Solva Saal, My Heart Is Beating, Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein and Kudi Tu India Di.

Not forgetting my roots, I also sing some traditional Punjabi hits such as Tutak Tutak, Gur Nal Ishq Mitha, Rail Gaddi. I also entertain audiences with Punjabi hits of my contemporaries such as Daler Mehndi's Bolo Tara Rara, Dardi Rab Rab, Ho Jayegi Balle Balle, Harbhajan Maan's Oye Hoye, Hansraj Hans' Dil Chori Sada, Sukhbir's Gal Ban Gayee & Ishq. I also sing non-Punjabi numbers, including Hindi Pop (Lift Kara De), Old Hindi Film hits (Roop Tera Mastana), International hits (Nari Nari & Habibi) & New Hindi film hits (You Are My Sohniya & Le Gayi Le Gayi) depending on the target audience.

Job Profile
Singer/musician who has been proclaimed as "ubartha hua sitara" by MTV, Channel [V] and B4U. (Sukhdev, a teenage prodigy, also has two major achievements to his name, one that of performing in ten different languages (including Spanish, Portuguese, Swahili and Arabic) and the other of having performed at a New Year's eve concert for over eight hours!).

Five years from now
I believe that Indian music will become global and western musicians will imbibe Indian influences. Fusion will play an important role and several Indianised tunes are becoming popular in UK's clubs. I see a lot of Indian artistes using English lyrics to make their mark globally. Ricky Martin used English lyrics despite having won acclaim in his home country. AR Rahman is working with Michael Jackson and Shania Twain will working with Hari Prasad Chaurasia. I myself will be in the thick of intense activity - always experimenting and producing great sounds.

Hobbies
Apart from music, I love watching movies and comedy shows on TV. I love fast cars, enjoy playing pool and snooker. I also love traveling to different places and countries. In India, I remember going to Benares and was fascinated by eight year old boys who have become yogis and sadhus. I am also fascinated by the response of people in interiors such as Kandwa and Ratlam to artistes like me.