Play back prodigy

For Govind, music was always on the cards. The 21-year-old shot to fame as a child prodigy who was on a reality TV show at just 14 years of age, and managed to win hearts through his soulful voice.

Trained in Hindustani classical as a vocalist and instrumentalist, Govind has also rendered playback for a number of Kannada films. We converse with the young and budding musician about his journey so far and what’s in store...

The Bengaluru lad believes his parents always knew he was musically gifted. “I started singing when I was only six and I think my parents realised I had a good voice. I started formally training when I was eight,” says the B.Com graduate from Jain College who is also trained in playing the keyboards and harmonium.

“My grandparents were also classically trained singers and I don’t think I ever wanted to be anything but a musician,” confides the man of few words, who has now gone on to sing playback for Kannada films like Bombay Mittai, Darpana and Ojas, which is in the running for a national award! How did the jump happen though, we want to know. “I’m not really sure myself! It sort of just happened like a whirlwind and I’m just in the midst of it all,” he exclaims with laughter!

The youngster has also recently started to compose his own ghazals. “My mother writes the lyrics and I compose them. Jagjit Singh has been a huge inspiration for me in this field,” says Govind who also recently toured the US with popular singer Samanvitha Sharma. “The experience was exhilarating and fascinating. It was amazing to see the crowd get riled up at a venue in Texas, when I jammed to a Kannada song. The response was deeply overwhelming,” says the youngster who believes he still has a long way to go. Ask him about what’s in store and he says, “I hope to be a full fledged playback singer for not only Kannada films but also Bollywood in the future.It would be a dream come true for me to perform alongside legends like Sonu Nigam and Raghu Dixit who have been so influential in my music.” And when he isn’t busy in the studio, “I am a diehard fan of films. I could watch them all day long. And since I’m focused on improving myself, I’m also hooked to self help books.”