Singer Divya
Kumar’s grandfather, Pandit Shivram was a composer, and his father, Bhagwan Shivram, was a musician. Regardless of coming from a musical household, Divya paved his personal means and created a distinct segment for himself within the trade. He has chartbuster songs like, ‘Aafaton Ke Parindey’, ‘Jee Karda’, ‘Shubhaarambh’, ‘Kamariya’ and lots of others to his credit score. In an unique interview with ETimes, the singer shares his ideas concerning the remix tradition in Bollywood, music mafias, his bond with Amit Trivedi and Varun Dhawan, and extra Excerpts…
What are your ideas on the remix tradition?
There aren’t any ideas. I’ve stopped fascinated about the remix tradition. I’ve spoken about it quite a lot of occasions previously. We will solely attempt to make good content material from our finish and keep away from doing stuff that we don’t like. I not too long ago turned down a tune as a result of it was a remake. It has been a satisfying determination for me. I’ve been part of one or two remixes previously, however that was below completely different circumstances. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply I hold doing issues I don’t imagine in. I need to focus on what I can do with the unique music. I strongly imagine that authentic music will at all times overcome remixes. For me, remixes are a giant no.
You might have usually spoken extremely about Amit Trivedi. Do you contemplate him your mentor?
Sure, completely. Amit sir has been a mentor, brother, and information. It’s due to him that I bought my large break in Bollywood in ‘Ishaqzaade’ the place I sang ‘Aafaton ke Parinde’ tune. Nonetheless, my first tune was with Gulraj Singh. Amit sir heard that tune, and that’s how I bought my first break. Amit sir has given me some wonderful songs. After ‘Aafaton Ke Parinde’, I bought ‘Shubh Aarambh’ which was one other cult tune. It’s a blessing to be part of such a giant, genius musical group. I’ve at all times been a fan of him, even earlier than I sang for him. I’ve quite a lot of songs that I at all times thought I might have sung, if I had met him earlier. We’ve got had some loopy occasions collectively. I hope this continues till my final breath.
You might have finished your main share of labor with Sachin-Jigar. What sort of bond do you share with them?
They’re really like my brothers. They’ve mentored and guided me. I used to sing scratches for some music composers. I had an curiosity in music manufacturing. I needed to study the method of creating music. Via my finest pal Priya Saraiya, I bought to satisfy Sachin-Jigar. They had been searching for an assistant, and I jumped in and grabbed that chance. We labored collectively for 4 to 5 years. That was the true studying interval of my life. I can not thank them sufficient. I have a look at them as my household now. We meet, jam collectively, and exit to celebration. I’ve a particular bond with them, and it will final without end. I’ve at all times appeared as much as their work. They’re probably the greatest music composers and producers. They’re my brothers for all times.
From all of the music composers you might have labored with over time, which of them are your favorite and why?
All of the music composers I’ve labored with have their very own specialties. Everybody has taught me one thing or different. It has made me what I’m at present. Each tune that I’ve sung with every one in every of them has been a studying expertise for me. They every have completely different qualities that I tailored. I at all times search blessings from them. I’m lucky to have labored with such wonderful composers. I can not title anybody particularly, however Amit Trivedi has a particular place in my coronary heart as a result of I began my journey with him. I am keen on Sachin-Jigar as a result of they’ve taught me lots.
Many singers have spoken concerning the music mafia previously. Have you ever ever had any experiences with them?
‘Music Mafia’ looks like a scary phrase, however sure, they do exist. Have I come throughout them? I do not assume so! I’ve been very specific concerning the individuals I’m working with. Singers are principally related to the composers of music. I imagine that I’ve been employed by the music composer to sing the tune. Regardless of who’s the choice maker, for me, the music composer is my first and final level of contact.
I’ve come throughout people who find themselves misguiding the trade. I’ve at all times maintained my distance from them and labored alone phrases. There have been cases when I’ve sung a tune after which it has been dubbed. It might have been due to the choices taken by the music mafias. I’ve by no means cared about gaana aaya ki nahi. I simply do my work truthfully, and relaxation I go away as much as God. There are quite a lot of new singers who’re going by means of this case proper now within the music trade. Many individuals have come and spoken to me about it. I’ve at all times suggested them to be affected person. Music Mafia has been there for ages however has turn out to be very evident now. I simply hope individuals get the liberty to work on their very own phrases and never get dictated to by others. One ought to let the artist do their work after which reward or criticise after seeing their work.
You come from a household that has its roots in music. Was it apparent so that you can incline in direction of music as a occupation?
I used to be born right into a musical household. My grandfather, Pandit Shivram, labored as a music composer in V Shantaram movies. It’s due to him that music got here into our household. Later, my father and my aunts adopted him. I used to go together with him for recordings. I used to like the studio surroundings. I really needed to turn out to be a drummer. It’s nonetheless my ardour. Nonetheless, my mother recognised my expertise in singing after I was younger. Ever since then, singing has been a giant a part of my life.
Was it comparatively simple so that you can set foot within the trade, given your loved ones background, as most wish to imagine?
Individuals would possibly really feel that means, however it was by no means simple. Coming from a musical household, I at all times felt the stress of dwelling as much as my household’s legacy and carrying it ahead. I began singing after I was 8 years previous. I began working with Kalyanji and Anandji’s Little Wonders, the place I carried out for the primary time on stage. After turning 15-16, my vocal chords modified, and I went by means of a distinct journey. I had really misplaced hope that I might turn out to be a playback singer. I had a husky and rustic voice. I felt my household’s help was crucial at the moment. Throughout my childhood, even when my father thought of introducing me to any composer of that point, he would ultimately realise what I’d do by changing into a singer. In line with him, dholak wale ka beta hai, dholak bajana sikhao isko. Ye dholak hello bajayega. I did not prefer it in any respect. I was actually unhappy. Nonetheless, he at all times motivated me to go forward in life, wrestle if I need to. He informed me to first show myself after which reveal my id and household background. I used to cover the truth that I belong to a musical household. I simply did my job and got here again residence. In the event that they appreciated my work, I used to get a name. I nonetheless comply with the identical.
All of the work that I’ve gotten all these years has been by means of individuals recommending me after seeing my good work not as a result of I come from a musical household. It’s the viewers that finally makes you profitable.
You additionally share an excellent bond with Varun Dhawan. Inform us one thing about it…
Varun is a sweetheart. He’s a person with a golden coronary heart. He’s genuinely a pleasant man. He has been an excellent help for me. When ‘Jee Karda’ from ‘Badlapur’ launched, Varun did quite a lot of promotions. He needed me to be part of all media appearances. I used to listen to that tune in each promotional occasion. It was actually candy of him. Even now, after we meet at Sachin-Jigar’s studio, we sit and chat. I’ve been lucky to have sung fairly just a few songs for him.
You might have been part of this trade for over a decade now. How do you look again at your journey to date?
There was a time after I thought I’d by no means achieve success as a playback singer. Now I’ve accomplished a decade within the trade. This sense is one thing you can not categorical in phrases. We’ve got been listening to songs from the 70s and 80s period when singers labored for many years within the trade. They’ve set a benchmark. It turned much less with the passing years. There additionally got here a time after 2005-2010 when singers could not work for extra then a 12 months or so within the trade. It’s a large duty for the singer to maintain himself within the trade. The time he makes his debut, his wrestle to outlive begins. I’ve been actually lucky that I bought the help of my household and mates. It simply seems like yesterday that I began my musical journey. Ten years could be very quick interval. I need to do that for the remainder of my life. I hope I can ship good work all through. I can also’t thank my followers sufficient. It’s due to them that I’ve come to date in life. There’s a lengthy technique to go.
