Narendra Singh Negi ji, a renowned singer
Interview By: Vinay Dobhal | Editor: Shikha Bisht | Posted on 17 August 2009
Born on 12 August 1949 in Pauri Gaanv (Village), Negi Ji started his career from Pauri and now he has almost performed in all the major countries of the world. This renowned singer of Garhwal believes in quality rather than quantity and that's the reason why people likes his song very much. With time lots of singers got introduced to Garhwali music industry but despite of these new voices his voice is still being heard by entire Uttarakhand with same respect and affection. He has a family of four members with two kids Ritu and Kavilas.
#Photograph: Narendra Singh Negi playing Uttarakhandi tone.
Ritu, his daughter is working in one of the MNC in Delhi where as his son Kavilas has successfully completed the MBA course. Like Negi Ji, his wife Usha Negi is also serving Uttarakhand through her delicious Pahari dishes which she promotes in various occasions and platforms. For this she also got recognized in Himalayan Estate Food Festival held in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh.
Negi Ji for long served as a District Information Officer in Information and Public Relation Department. Right now he is concentrating on his family and on his upcoming songs.
Negi Ji started his music career by releasing "Garhwali Geetmala". These Garhwali Geetmalas came in 10 different parts. As these Garhwali Geetmalas were from different companies he was finding it difficult to manage them. So he finally switched into releasing his cassettes by giving them separate titles. His first album came with the title called "Buraans". Buraans is a well known flower found on hills.
This renowned singer from Garhwal has sung more than 250 songs till now. "I believe in quality not in quantity that is why I release only one cassette a year", says Negi ji.
From time to time Negi ji also gets appreciated for his work. He has been awarded in various occasions from public round the world. Long time back Akashwaani, Lucknow recognized and awarded him as the most popular folk singer among 10 other artists. This was based on the number of mails which they received for "farmayashi geet" (songs on demand).
Till now Negi ji has performed in various countries like New York, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Muscat and in Dubai. Garhwali & Kumauni Societies which are run by Garhwali Kumauni NRIs now and then calls him to perform abroad. They spend a lot to arrange his programs and take care of all his expenses. Garhwali Kumauni families living abroad and in India enjoy his songs very much. "It is their love that still I am continuing with my singing", says Negi ji. This is what inspires him most.
Negi Ji is very particular while writing and composing songs. "When I start writing any song I ask myself, why I am making this song? For whom I will sing this song and what will be the result of this song", says Negi ji.
For him money is not everything. To maintain the standard he works through out the year and then releases only one cassette at the end. Companies ask him to produce one cassette after every 2-3 months but Negi ji has never thought of doing this.
Negi Ji thinks that every artist has got the right to express himself in his own way but at the same time he is also worried about the way Garhwali culture is shown in new albums. He thinks that beat of the song doesn't matter, but the lyrics should have some meaning. "What kind of message is getting spread, how it will affect the society, no one thinks", says Negi ji.
He likes the work of Gulzar sahab. "His work, old or new has a deep meaning".
Besides singing Negi Ji is also into writing. Till now his 3 books have published. His first book "Khuch Kandi" (meaning cane bucket used to carry Arsa and Roat) got published in 1992. His second book "Gaadiyoun Ki Ganga, Saniyoun Ka Samudar" (meaning Ganges of imagination and sea of lust) got published in 2000. His third book "Muth Boti Ki Rakh" (meaning tighten your palm and hands and be ready) got published by Shekhar Pathak. This book has got the collection of all his "aandolan" songs. His fourth book will shortly be available in the market.
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