An Interview with Kumar Sanu

Staying alive

Kumar Sanu has defied critics to prove his mettle.

So you won't work with new-generation
composers?

Thank God I don't have to sing techno songs. Today's songs don't go with my style. I've
never asked composers for songs. I'm happy with my achievements.
No regrets.

Do you plan to join politics?
No, there is no such plans. I respect Pranab Mukherjee and I share a very good relationship with him. Personally, I have great respect for Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and for Mamata Banerjee, who is a determined leader.

But the politics in the music industry?
As far as my industry is concerned, politics is about ego, money, good PR… A good rapport with producers and directors helps to bag songs, at times for big banners. I never compromised on my rate. I, in fact, never compromised on any aspect.

You started in the industry with Kishore Kumar as your idol. But with Aashiqi you sounded original.
I believe that copying another singer, doesn't pay off in the long run. It's also true that I followed Kishore da's style as he was my idol. Later, I decided to come up with my style of singing. I'm still singing. I started as Sanu Bhattacharya when Kalyanji-Anandji suggested a new name ~ Kumar Sanu ~ for the Big B film Jaadugar. The film also had my first solo effort.

How did you team up with RD Burman?
Panchamda knew me when he first heard my series of cassettes in memory of Kishore da on T-Series. One day I got a call from his camp and we had a nice discussion. Ultimately, I sang in Yeh Desh. Panchamda was a great composer, an amazing human being. Then we worked together in Jhuti Shaan, Purushottam, Tum Karo Vada and in the unforgettable 1942: A Love Story.

Your experience with the next generation of composers during the 1990s.
During the 1990s Nadeem-Shravan used my voice the best. They had male-oriented songs that suited my tonal quality. Then with Jatin-Lalit I had a good rapport ~ they are followers of Panchamda's gharana. We worked together on a number of hits ~ Khiladi, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na and so on. In Bazigaar, Sir, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Ayee, Anu Malik provided me with a platform.

What would you say about AR Rahman, the composer?
He was not a composer for the masses. He gradually changed his style and it's reflected in what he produces today. I worked with him only in Kabhi Na Kabhi. Then there was some misunderstanding and we stopped working
together.

Your assessment of Slumdog Millionaire.
I have an objection to using the word "slumdog". It's not our culture. We don't treat people from slums as dogs. They have shown only the negative aspect of our country. As far as the Oscar is concerned, I think Rahman gifted us more enchanting melodies before. This is not his best.

You have worked with both the legendary Mangeshkar sisters. Your experience.
It's like receiving a lifetime achievement award. Both of them were simply outstanding. I shared the microphone with Lataji in Naya Sawan for a Bappi Lahiri composition. For Khiladi I rendered a song with Ashaji for the first time under the baton of Jatin-Lalit.

Your thoughts on the present trends in Bollywood music?
It's pathetic! I can't recognise the singers. They are the singers for a month. Go through the inlay cards of their CDs and rarely would you identify the singer.

Your big achievements…
First, the love and respect I get from fans all over the world. I was recently conferred the Padma Shri, I have received five Filmfare awards in succession, Guinness Book Of World Record features me for recording 28 songs in a day and, the government of Denton in America observe Kumar Sanu Day on 31 March… I once did a charity show there.

It's rumoured that you had a tiff with Amit Kumar…
No, no, there were no such clashes with Amit Kumar. He is senior to me. He was already a well known singer when I started . I would rather say there was healthy competition. I've worked with him only once ~ a song in Yoddha. Later both of us rendered the same song Is Tarah Ashiqi Ka for Imtihaan, separately. We share the same gharana ~ Kishore Kumar.

Who do you consider the best singer to work with?
Udit Narayan.

Your future projects.
I'm working on songs for a number of Bangla films. After Utthan, my compositions can be heard in Yeh Sunday Kyun Aata Hai where Shaan, Sunidhi render my songs. I have sang in Udit Narayan's Bhojpuri film Kanoonwa Meri Mutthi Mein' I am working with Munna-Raj for my Puja album.

Do you believe in comebacks?
I'm an optimist. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, hoping the trends in the music industry would change.

Today is 22/7

Today is 22nd july and is celebrated in the world by Maths geek as Phi approximation day as Phi is approximately equal to 22/7. 14 of March on the other hand is celebrated as Phi day as in American date format it is written as 3/14.

Phi is defined as the ratio of the circumference of the circle to its diameter.

The first Phi day was celebrated at San Fransisco Exploratorium in 1988 with staff and public marching around one of its circular spaces, and then consuming fruit pies. Now a days Pizza pies are added to its pi day menu. The founder of the Phi day was Larry Shaw, a retired physicist at the Exploratorium.

Mathematicians who approxmiated the value of phi include Archimedes (first to find the approximate value in 200 BC) but I had read in a book that it was Boudhadhanya (Indian mathematician to give the first approximation). 600 years later Chinese mathematician Zu Chongzhi improved on the approximation provided by Archimedes. This was the most accurate estimation for the next 900 years.

Later on in 1400 Indian mathematician Madhavacharya discovered a formula for Phi which was later rediscovered by James Gregory, Lebnitz in 17th century.

Two interesting trivia:

• 14th of March happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday. He was born in the year 1879.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology often mails out its acceptance letters to be delivered to its prospective students on the Pi Day.

For more info log on to http://www.goiit.com/posts/list/community-shelf-in-pursuit-of-pi-78336.htm

Sach ka saamna

Sach ka saamna- Where you earn by saying the truth. The show is in the limelight from the day it has been on air. Its TRPs are increasing and today the show has been the talking point even in the parliament. The concept seems simple but the kind of questions asked are difficult to say the least.

Every contestant will give the true(to his belief) answer for all the questions. This is because there is no incentive to lie. First you lose the money and second people still know what is the truth as the ploygraph test reveals that the answer is a lie. I dont know how true is the polygraph test but assuming it is true I think we ourselves dont know what is the true answer for some questions in our life. There are certain answers which are structured as we are brought up and we dont realise that the answer is not what our mind thinks. We repeated say the structured answers that it gets registered with us and we end up giving that answer rather than the true answer.

I agree with the politicians that the show might lead to some problems in the contestant's life and is against our culture. Isnt it the truth at the end of the day?Does it mean we should hide the truth and boast about our culture. All the contestants are very courageous and I hope a politician comes to the show one day. Would I participate in the show?Very less probability that I will. Anyways who is giving me an option. Finally I think the society is not matured enough to accept the show.Given an option would you participate in Sach ka saamna?

Bacchae mann ke sache

How Does a person Decide Who to Marry?

“You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like if you like
sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep
the chips and dip coming.”
Allan, age 10

“No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to
marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later
who you’re stuck with.”(Hmm.. Philosophical kid)
Kirsten, age 10

Concerning the Proper Age to Get Married

“Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by
then!”
Cam, age 10

“No age is good to get married at…. You got to be a fool to get
married!”(Very matured for his age)
Freddie, age 6

How Can a Stranger Tell if Two people are Married?

“Married people usually look happy to talk to other people.”
Eddie, age 6

“You might have to guess based on whether they seem to be yelling at
the same kids.”(nice logic)
Derrick, age 8

What Do You Think Your Mom and Dad Have in Common?
“Both don’t want no more kids.”(Haha)
Lori, age 8

What Do Most People Do on a Date?

“Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know
each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.”(girls are you listening)
Lynnette, age 8

“On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually
gets them interested enough to go for a second date.”(really)
Martin, age 10

What the Children Would Do on a First Date That Was Turning Sour

“I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the
newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.”
Craig, age 9

When is It Okay to Kiss Someone?

“When they’re rich!”(very smart)
Pam, age 7

“The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with
that.”(knows the law at this age... sahi hain)
Curt, age 7

“The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry
them and have kids with them…. It’s the right thing to do.”(his grandpa must have told him)
Howard, age 8

The Great Debate: Is It Better to Be Single or Married?

“It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need
somebody to clean up after them!”(She must be watching at home)
Anita, age 9

What Promises Do a Man and a Woman Make When They Get Married?

“A man and a woman promise to go through sickness and illness and
diseases together.”(Saat janam ka saath)
Marlon, age 10

This is by far my favorite.

How to Make a Marriage Work

“Tell your wife that she looks pretty even if she looks like a truck!”(Is he really 7?)
Ricky, age 7

Getting Married for a Second time

“Most men are brainless, so you might have to try more than one to
find a live one.”(this will make the girls happy)
Angie L., age 10

How Would the World Be Different if People Didn’t Get Married?

“There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?”
Kelvin, age 8

Source http://chainletters.net/chainletters/kids-take-on-marriage/

Lets check your division.

Puzzle to puzzle you

Apathy

Apathy means an attitude of "I Dont care". We come across a lot of people who suffer from apathy. What else can be the reason for low voter turn out, people spitting on the road, littering,etc.

Do we really care on the global warming front?Do we really care about the electricity shortage, water shortage, etc. Do we care how people are dying of hunger and we waste a lot of food?

We only care about some things which affect us directly. We don't understand or realize the impact of the things that impact us indirectly.I think many of us do care but then think what can I do alone. The amazing thing is most of us think this way. There is an uniformity in thinking. I admit I am also among the majority but do my bit (may be 1%). I have come across especially young people of my age who don't care about all these issues. We are becoming more and more self centered. We exploit the environment and then crib about low rainfall. We litter and use polythene bags and complain about water logging. I know this is not going to change anything. Because majority knows whatever is written.

As Helen Keller said we have found out the cure for virtually all diseases but still the most dangerous disease seems to have no cure- Apathy. (not the exact verbatim of what Keller said)