Timeless Singing of Sukhwinder Singh Has Crossed Many Borders

Punjab is divided into three major regions Majha, Malwa, and Doaba. I belong to the Majha community who settled in Amritsar post-partition. The idiosyncratic element of this community is that they are jovial, super talented and don’t allow sorrow to creep into their lives, no matter how tough the situation is. I have inherited these traits from the city I was born in, Amritsar is a pool of talent, comedy, and valor.

I have traveled to many countries and I find that India has supremacy in talent. Soaked in ancient history and deep-rooted traditions, our culture is a burst of hues and vivid descriptions of mythology. Be it music, art, literature or dance, Indian art forms are unique as they reflect our rich culture in every aspect.

I am a traveler who travels with music and my music is what travels with me. Even if I am in the aircraft or sitting in my car, music is my constant companion. I believe in silent practice and chromatic singing so while I am traveling, I spend hours practicing. I try to make my learning so interesting so as to keep me engrossed. If the travel time is spent in personal growth and not cribbing then probably a traveler would never get tired. So basically I am a curious traveler who knows how to make most out of the long hauling flights.

I believe folk music is the most pious and profound form of art as it depicts the soul of the culture. An artist needs a lot of depth to connect with the soul of any culture. I maintain a lifestyle that includes paying respect to my masters and staying honest with my inner self. During my soul searching exploration, I often come across various expressions of music. I get moved and so engrossed, almost hallucinated until I absorb that quality within me. This probably could be one of the reasons why I have a folk touch to my voice. And certainly there is no substitute for self-discipline and hard work

To be honest, when I help someone in need that day becomes a festival for me. Apart from my own way of festivity, I celebrate Janmashtami with great enthusiasm. I have always been an ardent fan of Krishna. My festivity begins two days before as I love to paint and decorate the mountains and platforms all by myself. After completing the decoration, I place the idol of Laddu Gopal with idol of Nihang (armed Sikh warrior) by his side. It signifies that the festival is going on and no enemy is allowed. This is my way of addressing the festivity and I love to relive my childhood days through Janmashtami .

To be honest, I don’t take any stress so practically I don’t need to de-stress. I feel truly blessed to be in a profession that is actually my passion. I travel almost 6 times in a month so there is always a time crunch for leisure trips. However, whenever I get time, I love visiting Dharamshala. The hilly terrain in Kangra district has serenity in abundance and a charm of monks and monasteries that has always allured me, somehow.

I was once invited to perform at an event organized by the Police Department of Jammu and Kashmir. I wrote a song of peace for this heaven on earth and the kind of affection I received from the local folks of the valley left an everlasting impact on me. Also, when I represent India on the International platforms, those priceless moments fills my heart with immense contentment. When people of different nationalities give a standing ovation to my songs, those overwhelming claps and whistles echo in my ears for days. In that moment, my travel to far off land feels worth an accomplishment.

: 3 Travel Essentials

My travel bag in which I carry a photo of Lord Shiva and Sukhmani Sahib. My mobile phone, not to talk but for listening to music. Dhundi Raj Pokhrel, my caretaker whom I fondly call Michael.

: One thing you practice other than music

Comedy, I love to make people laugh.

: One thing you miss about India when you are abroad

Food, I miss desi Daal Chawal and home-cooked food.

: The exquisite souvenir you bought

Mexican artifacts attract me. Mexican hat, boots, shawls, etc.

: Google Maps or Local Folks

My google map or local folks are my sponsors who take me to the right place.

: One Indian dish you crave for

Aloo Methi with desi ghee drizzling over it.

: First thing you do when you wake up

Bajrangbali Ji ka naam. I offer prayer to him as soon as I open my eyes.

: Five Star Hotel in the bustling city or Boutique Resort on the outskirts

I love to stay in resorts on the outskirts.

: Your favorite songs

Aap ke kamre mai koi rehta hai by Kishore Kumar and Fashion ka Jalwa.

: Your favourite destination

Moscow

: If you have boarded the flight and suddenly you realize that your phone is missing, what would you do?

I don’t stress over anything, leave aside my phone. I would go ahead and explore what is in store for me.

: If you have to take one person to travel with you for 1 long year, who would you travel with?

Michael. He is one person who understands all my needs and he is more than a family to me.

: If a fan of yours is ready to give you everything he has to learn music from you, what would you do?

I genuinely feel that I myself have to learn a lot yet. I am finding a way to learn classical music. However, I shall never break the heart of a person who shares a similar passion. I would rather guide him with whatever little I knowledge I have gathered about singing so far. And I don’t barter the exchange of experience with material things.

: If you are asked to describe singing and traveling in one line, how would you put it?

I sing to travel and my destination is in the heart of my audience.