Jalandhar born renowned Punjabi bhangra singer Malkit Singh has had a remarkable journey from a small village in Punjab to Buckingham Palace in London where he was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II.

A true Punjabi at heart and in spirit, Singh has a tremendous fan following around the world. He belongs to the old school of music and the new trend of item songs and profane lyrics in bollywood is not his pick. Singh who shot to fame with popular tracks like Gur Nalo Ishq Mita, Tootak Tootak Tootiyan, Kurri Garam Jayee and Dekh Li Vilyait, has contributed 28 years to music and is in no mood to stop but deliver better.

He is hopeful that the respect he and veteran artistes have created with their soulful melodies will not be tampered by new singers who are following latest trends in the industry. Singh shares a candid moment with Radioandmusic.com on the current music scene and his views on the modern artistes and yesteryears experiences.

Around the globe, Punjabi music is doing well. Many new artistes have come on board and some are really talented. Personally, my journey in the industry has been remarkable. I started from a small village in Jalandhar and today I hold an honour of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. (MBE). I was not only the first Indian but the first Asian artist to receive the honour. Last year, I was again the first Indian to have my name in The Birmingham Walk of Star.

Having done 24 albums in my career with two more on the list, my journey in music industry has been incredible. All the albums I have released have received good response from the audience. My tracks Gur Nalo Ishq Mita and Tootak Tootak Tootiyan are still enjoyed by many. Even after 20 years in the industry, I sing only family songs that are enjoyed by kids and adults together.

The new trend that is there in the Punjabi music industry will not stay long. Music is like fashion. In fashion trends change same is the case with music. Presently, there are artistes who are doing really well with a few who are stuck in controversy. The condition today is that we can’t watch television with our families because the new trend of music is obscene.

Controversial artistes remain in people’s mind only for a while, after years they are not remembered. I have been in music industry for 28 years. Today, also people remember me for my work and not for any controversy. The new trend is good but people have to be very careful.

On the other hand television’s role has changed today as they are more focused towards publicity of artistes. The trend of bold videos have become a promotional gimmick. Lyrics have vulgarity along with videos where women wear skimpy clothes and dance around. Now-a-days, people believe in the idea of becoming stars without any hard work.

When we started our career, we didn’t have music videos. Our music was simply launched and the rest was mouth publicity. For Tootak Tootak Tootiyan, we did not even put a rupee of advertisement. I was in London and recorded there; HMV published it and then people heard it and spread the word. Nowadays, channels are promoting music a lot and for new artistes it is a great opportunity but they should use it rightly.

Music is like a religion to me. Every other day you cannot record an album or single but I strongly believe that one should give time to deliver something different in music; compositions should be unique and most of all it should not be a copy.

When I record songs, I have only one thought in mind that can my daughter, wife and mother listen to it. When I go to studios my children wait for me to record tracks and get some music for them when I come home. I believe a singer should always record a song keeping his family in mind and if his family can listen to that content comfortably then he should expect the audience to listen to his tracks. We should respect music and preserve our Indian culture.

Veteran artistes have created a recognition and name for Punjabi music and new artistes should be able to treasure it instead of losing it.  The video that is created should be clean so that no one can point figures. One should remember that we are recording music so that generations after us can see and hear it. Generations should be proud of what has happened in past.

Kuldeep Manakji, Rahat Fahet Ali Khan and Rafiji’s music is from where we learn from till date. Today’s, kids should know that whatever they record should make generations after them proud. There should never be a point when Punjabi music would be looked down.

Rapping was introduced so that kids born and settled in abroad could associate with the track and rapping was introduced in a way that the Punjabi lyrics were translated in English. But what happened in India; the rapping that happens here, don’t even match the rhythm. 

I feel today also people listen to music much strongly. You do not play music that is lyrically bad; you will need music that is good to play in weddings and gatherings. My audience listens to my music loyally when my album is out. I am not worried about the competition also. My audience expects variety in my music and as an artist I try my level best to deliver according to their expectations.

I am coming with an album after four years. I took so long so that I could write music and compose right. If you talk about popularity, then I would highlight that my track Tootak Tootak Tootiyan is in Guinness Book of World Records as the best selling album in Punjabi. This was in the year 1998. We sold 40 lakh copies in two months that time. Today, many releases happen but it is difficult for them to sell so many copies or even have huge number in downloads. Piracy has affected the market tremendously.

Gur Nalo Ishq Mita one of my other tracks that had became famous, has got so many versions. There is one version in Sunny Deol’s latest film also. I saw the track being played on TV. I would have rendered the track whole-heartedly if they would have asked me to render it. It’s a folk song and it should have been sung by Malkit Singh then only people would enjoy it.

I take four years for my one album as I give people folk tracks that they can’t forget. I put songs in a manner that the tunes are new and at the same time the traditions are kept alive. The track Gur Nalo Ishq Mita that is created now is not that good. Bally Sagoo has done the remix before and if we would have been given the opportunity to re-create the same magic then we would have delivered 100 times better with the new technologies.

Frankly speaking , it is a tradition in Mumbai music industry that they don’t give credit to anyone, it really hurts. Music industry in Mumbai gives turban to those who don’t have it but takes away from the ones who wear it. It really hurts and I have tried my best to stay away from Bollywood. This was one of the major reasons behind me leaving films. But the good thing is that Punjabi music industry and its music is doing well. 

Sing well and deliver good music so that we can be proud. People from various languages should enjoy our music in spite of the fact that they don’t understand its meaning. Our music should have the power to make people dance. I was doing a programme in Surat (Gujarat) and the best part was that the show was house full with Gujarati audience. I was worried that I can’t sing anything in Gujarati so how will I entertain them but when I sang my original track in Punjabi; I was happy to see them enjoy my performance. Music is a religion, treasure it with heart-touching melodies and set good example for future generations.