Sound of the young guns

Image courtesy: BCCL

By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva
They croon melodious tunes and find a place in our hearts almost instantaneously. Here's a dekko at three young singers who are slowly climbing the ladder of success.

1) Javed Ali (Claim to fame Guzaarish from Ghajini)
His name might not ring a bell but mention songs like Ek Din Teri Raahon Mein (Naqaab) and Nagada (Jab We Met) and you might warm up to him immediately. His name is Javed Ali. After doing the rounds of several music directors' studios, he got a break in Beti No 1. He gradually followed it up with Chameli, Golmaal Fun Unlimited, Neal 'n' Nikki and Zindaggi Rocks. But it was his solo act in Jashn-e-Bahaara (Jodhaa Akbar) that won him recognition.

Of late, Javed Ali has been ruling the airwaves with Tu Muskara (Yuvraaj) and Guzaarish (Ghajini). We love his sweet melodious voice, clear diction and an inherent raw appeal. Listening to him is sheer delight.

2) Shilpa Rao (Claim to fame Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno)
She's a small town girl whose musical dreams got realised in Mumbai. After completing her education from Jamshedpur, Shilpa Rao shifted to India's financial capital. A chance meeting with composer Shankar Mahadevan proved to be a turning point in her life. After singing in several jingles, she got her first big break with Tose Naina (Anwar). The Sufi undertones in her debut number compelled us to forget our worries and swoon to the heady classical tune.
She followed it up with the foot-stomping raunchy Saiyya (Salaam-e-Ishq) and heart-rending Ek Lau (Aamir). But she finally won accolades for Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno. This romantic number did complete justice to Shilpa's husky voice. We love her vocal quality and versatility!

3) Mohit Chauhan (Claim to fame Tumse Hi from Jab We Met)
He first won our hearts with his lilting lyrics and poignant voice with Silk Route's Dooba Dooba. While the Delhi-based band sang without a trace, the lead singer Mohit Chauhan made quite an impression on everyone. But surprisingly after sometime he too did the disappearing act. He finally resurfaced with Guncha, a heart-rending Sufiana composition in Main, Meri Patni aur Woh. While the song was a sheer delight, Mohit did not get his due recognition. He finally won accolades for Tum Se Hi in Jab We Met, it's the kind of song you would like to listen while dreaming about your sweetheart.

Mohit followed it up with Is this Love (Kismat Connection) and Kuch Khaas in Fashion. He soon came to be known as a singer who could croon only romantic numbers. But he went ahead and proved his detractors wrong with Massakali from Delhi 6. This soul-stirring peppy number showcased his versatility. We absolutely admire his raspy voice and a childlike quality in his vocals that give him an edge over his contemporaries.

Here's hoping these three singers create more waves with some lovely numbers.

Idiva.com, January 23, 2009