http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/On_track_with_Karthik/articleshow/2966120.cms
Chennai Times caught up with Karthik and spoke to him about his passion for music<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/On_track_with_Karthik/articleshow/2966120.cms#>, his hobbies and his role models. How did you get into singing? I started singing very late when I was in my 12th standard. I was a part of my college band and did very well in the college. We were well appreciated by all and that was very inspiring and encouraging. That was the time that I got a call from AR Rahman for a chorus in Pukar . Things changed after that. None of my friends, in fact, believed me when I told them that I would be singing for Rahman. I became a star overnight<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/On_track_with_Karthik/articleshow/2966120.cms#>. You have sung peppy numbers, slow and romantic ones. Do you consider yourself as a versatile singer? Of course. I think it is good for every singer<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/On_track_with_Karthik/articleshow/2966120.cms#>to be versatile. It is challenging to sing all sorts of songs<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/On_track_with_Karthik/articleshow/2966120.cms#>. If you chant the same kind of music, you start feeling jaded. I personally feel it is an asset to be versatile. It gives you more opportunities and you can actually experiment with the different genres of music. Do you have a wish-list? If yes,what is on the top of your list? I do not have any wish-list as such. I take life as it comes. I think that one's fate is pre-written. I never thought I would become a singer. But now music has become my life. The remix trend is catching up in Kollywood like fire. Every movie has at least one remix song. Do you think it is a healthy trend? It is a very subjective thing and depends on a person. Every individual has a different perspective. I do not want to waste my time deciding whether the remix<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/On_track_with_Karthik/articleshow/2966120.cms#>thing is right or wrong. And, of course, there is no rule that you should not remix the old numbers. I just make sure that I don't mess up things while singing. You have sung for Malayalam, Telugu and other languages. How different is it when you sing for other languages especially the ones you are not familiar with? Music is beyond language. But yeah, of course, when you sing for a language you do not know, it is like exploring a new place. You have new surprises hidden for you. Initially it is difficult but once, you get the hang of it, you are on the track. I initially had problems singing for the Malayalam number agale as I did not know the language but then I did made it. I am also singing a Bengali number. Do you have a role model? I do not have a role model per se. But there are few singers who have always inspired me. Like SP Balasubramaniam, for instance. I started listening to film music<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/On_track_with_Karthik/articleshow/2966120.cms#>because of him. I also admire Hariharan; he is experimenting with songs and Shankar Mahadevan who is very well known for his live performances. I have learnt from all of them, but I prefer to stick to my style of singing. Who is the singer with whom you have always wanted to sing to? Hmmm...Nothing like that. I would like to sing with Michael Jackson. For all you know, one day I just might come out with an English number too. You are one singer who has sung for the superstar very early in your career. How do you feel about it? I am very glad indeed. The Maya Maya song from Baba launched my career and in fact changed my life. I became a household name. I personally feel that Rajini sir and Rahman make for excellent pairing. They can create magic. Would you ever get into music direction? Not really. I have no plans right now. I am happy with my studio singing and my experiments with live performances. It keeps me occupied. If you had not become a singer, what would you have been? Perhaps a successful corporate guy. I have done my graduation in Commerce and I was doing my CA when I got into singing. After that the whole path changed. Now there is no looking back. What are your hobbies apart from music? I prefer to chill out at home, spend time with my family, watch television. After a hectic day at work, nothing's better than spending time with your family. -- regards, Vithur Whatever God wants to give, no one can deny; Whatever God wants to deny, no one can give. Be happy always
