| Sufism & Tina Turner: Rabbi shares his musical journey |
23rd Nov 2013
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Rabbi Shergill performing at the Underdoggs Sports Bar & Grill
hough packed with the ups and downs, I feel blessed when I look back at the journey from being Surpreet Singh Shergill to Rabbi Shergill, and I find it wroth cherishing and celebrating," said singer Rabbi Shergill in a conversation with Guardian20, during a live performance at Chandigarh. During the interview Shergill shared his musical journey so far, and talks about his social and political conerns. He also talks about his taste in music and his tryst with Bollywood.
Q. How has the journey been so far?
A. I thank God and the people who have been by my side for making me what I am today. I feel blessed to have been born in this country where artists like us are still honoured and loved. My name is a gift from my audience and I have embraced it lovingly.
Q. How did things change after Bullah Ki Jana?
A. My life took a complete turn after Bullah. I began receiving invites to perform at various places. They appreciated my verses, and my music which proved that people wanted to listen to me. It felt great when fans came to me to asked the meaning of the different songs. It was a tremendous and overwhelming change.
Q. How has Sufism influenced your music?
A. Honestly speaking, I am a sardar and I don't know what Sufism is. This Sufi singer tag has been given to me by the media and frankly I have no qualms about it. I used to listen to and read Varas Shah, Bulleh Shah, Shiv Kumar Batalwi and others and I have included their couplets in my first album. But, 'Sufi music' makes little or no sense to me.
Q. What kind of music do you like to listen to?
A. I really like listening to artists like Mister Mister, Tina Turner, especially western pop from the 80's.
Q. You have taken up issues including social problems and communal violence in your songs and you have widely supported the Aam Aadmi Party recently. Do you advocate any strong beliefs, political or otherwise?
A. I am a singer and whatever I sing doesn't express my entire thought process necessarily. Yes, I supported the Aam Aadmi Party with my music because it grabbed my attention and I felt like supporting them. I feel they connect well with the common man and they can make a big difference in the contemporary political thought process and also in the political system if given a chance.
Q. How has been your stint at Bollywood and what's on the cards?
A. The stint has been rewarding undoubtedly. At present I am not doing anything. I am just concentrating on my new song Tun Milen. But yes, there'll be something soon.
Q. Right now there is a plethora of reality shows, especially dance and singing programmes. What's your take on them?
A. I don't really watch reality shows as I don't feel I can contribute to them in any way. For me, these are mere monetary endeavours and people are there just to generate money, which I guess is perfectly fine. But I do not want to be a part of it.
Q. More and more Punjabi singers are now venturing into movies. Do you think that the Punjabi Music industry is suffering because of this?
A. I don't have any opinion as I don't follow the industry. And even if anything like this is happening, it really doesn't matter to me.
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