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 KK: Crossing musical bridges 

He was busy when we called on him the first time around. But, what was it that was keeping him engaged! A weekend bath to cute-as-a-doll daughter Taamra. Extra cute Busy-ness. Don't you think! Well, folks, tune into Krishna Kumar (better known as KK), the singer who gave immortality to the song Tadap tadap ke is dil se aah nikalti rahi......in Sanjay Leela Bhansali'sHum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

"Tadap tadap...is the best thing that happened to me," he bursts out when we finally pin him down for a one-on-one. "I think it is the evocative lyrics by Mehboob that really drove me to sing it the way others hear it now," the singer sighs. He is currently relishing the top-of-the-pops title track of the surprise-surprise hit Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai.

"I don't even know when a song becomes a hit till the time other people don't start saying it. For me, once I've sung the song, I'm done with it. I just give it my best during the recording, enjoy it as much as I can and don't really expect it to be a hit or a flop . If you start thinking too much about it, it starts affecting you," KK reasons.

I realised the topic had fuelled him up. So, why clog the pent-up energy. Let's probe deeper and try-n-find-out as to what a singer goes through while making preparations before recording a song. "I am a sensitive kind of guy and am on a lookout for positive vibes. Its a personal thing to me. If I realise, I'm not being able to relate to a song, I prefer not doing it."

Uhm, sounds interesting. Trust me, there's more to come. I am sure you guys haven't missed out watching Amitabh Bachchan doing Raspi ne ki pyaas hai, banda ye bindaas hai with a sultry Nandita Das in the forthcoming thriller flick Aks on the numerous cable channels.Here's your opportunity to meet the throaty voice aiding the Master himself.

"I didn't know that the song is gonna be picturised on Amitji. I'd loved the song when Anu made me listen to it on the first hearing itself. And, moreover, Gulzar sahab's sensitive lyrics further drove me. I also like doing my own thing which adds to the charm of a song," he says. KK is of the opinion that a good music director can get the best out of a singer. He also feels that with the passage of time, there has been a lot of change in the approach of the singers.

"In earlier days, there were only a few singers, notably Kishore, Rafi and Mukesh. A particular singer suited a particular star. But, today there have been a lot of changes. Any singer can sing for any star. Moreover, many of the playback singers have their own individuality as well. For they are doing shows and are stars in their own right. Such individuality rubs off on the stars they are doing the song for," he explains.

Now, as we are talking about live shows, let me draw attention towards another facet of KK. A stellar live performer who belts out choicest cover versions spiced with his own hits. What drives him ballistic on stage. "I think it is the rush of adrenaline. I do everything impulsively on stage but try and do it all with a lot of conviction. It is fun to vibe with the crowd," he spurts out. An intriguing observation on the difference between a live show and a recorded song, just for you guys! "There's a one-to-one relationship that one strikes with the crowd, one can feel the crowd. While, in a recording, it is a more controlled environment, for a more bigger audience and is somewhat of a delayed hangover. For you get the response after quite a while."

The response, infact, to most of his film numbers is quite good for the present and the future is gonna be inundated with the songs sung by him. A few to watch out for, according to the singer himself will be the ones in Yaadein, Aks, Taj Mahal, Love ke liye kuch bhi karega, Paanch, Dil chahta hai, Paanch, Aankh Micholi, Prashn Chinh, Filhaal, Deewangi and Mein Prem diwani. Hey guys, these are plum projects and they are gonna put him in the silver light for quite-a-while.

His film songs have made him known internationally, but what made him a known commodity were the countless jingles that he sang (notable being Yeh dil maange more....Pepsi, Monte carlo, Whirlpool, Mc Dowell Mera No.1 to name a very few) and the non-film album Pal. Now, with Pal, KK went on to become the first debut artiste launched by Sony Music in India. But, inspite of being a well produced product, it failed to click with the masses. A slightly introspective

KK says: "I don't think it was meant for the masses in the first place. We had a different sound in the mind and succeeded to the extent that we produced what we believed in." Sounds slightly unconvincing, but we can't discount the sincerity one witnessed in this Lezlie Leiws produced album.

He is currently working on his second album. And this time, he is doing it on his own, being competently aided by the band that plays with him during his live shows. You bet, he is keeping his fingers crossed as far as this venture grows. And so are we! But till that happens, he'd like to keep on doing film songs. For he wants to "grow as a musician."

Just check out his idea of what affects his music. "I want to get affected by lots of things around me. Experiences of life keep on affecting me. A certain state of mind is built up by the kind of interaction I am having with my old friends, new people. And primarily I don't believe in rushing through life. I cross the bridge when I come to it." I am sure with his head in the right place and a die-hard love for music and family, this man is gonna go places. Watch out for him! You can read my lips on that one. Ouch!

By: Faridoon Shahryar