Amar Arshi with his ”˜Kala Chashma’ woos Sydney
By Manju Mittal
Amar Arshi of ”˜Kala Chashma’ fame, the Indian Punjabi Folk singer, came to Sydney to perform live in Sydney Parramatta RSL Club on Friday December 2, 2016. Amar is an amazing and a consummate performer and his charm and powerful vocal chords have enthralled his fans of all ages throughout the world. ”˜Kala Chashma’ is the party song of the year, it is one song that you are not going to escape at any Indian party, it is kind of become a youth anthem and is guaranteed to get people onto the dance floor.
”˜Kala Chashma’ is a remake of Amar Arshi’s 1990 Punjabi chartbuster”˜Tenu kala chashma jach da eh’. The original song ”˜Kala Chashma’ sung by Amar Arshi had already been a sensation and has been a super hit song around the world. The ”˜Kala Chashma’ fever has now engulfed Desi Indian parties, college functions, street parties and clubs. ”˜Kala Chashma’ is definitely a dance number, it is fun, foot tapping and funky number and a party and a festival favourite.
The new version of ”˜Kala Chashma’ sung by Amar Arshi, Badshah and Neha Kakkar has turned out to be an instant sensation, featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif from movie ”˜Baar Baar Dekho’ has become a huge hit as the pair they sizzled in the song with their swag. Producer of ”˜Baar Baar Dekho’ film Karan Johar said “Kala Chashma 2.0 is a party starter and has been the heart beat of the Punjabi music scene for over a decade. Now our revamped and rejuvenated version has enhanced the energy to an altogether different level, leaving one with a huge smile on your face and a dance in your demeanour”.
Gill Production organised a great Thursday evening on December 1, 2016. The Meet & Greet event was held at The Grand Marion Harris Park in the presence of organiser Habby Gill, Sponsors, supporters and media. Other singers were also present at the event. Speaking on the occasion Punjabi singer Deep Money said “We are trying to professionalize Punjabi cinema and Bollywood with our music”.
Amar Arshi spoke to TIDU after press conference, dressed in black with gold chain and kala chashma, he was gracious to agree for an iexclusive chit chat. Here’s how it went:
How do you feel performing in Sydney, Is this your first trip to Australia?
This is my second visit to Australia. I feel incredibly honoured and this is a great pride for me to perform again in Australia.
How was your experience singing with Badshah & Neha Kakkar?
Working with two great singers has been a great learning experience for me, I had so much fun while working with Badshah & Neha Kakkar and exchange ideas, I enjoyed recording ”˜Kala Chashma’ with them. Kala Chashma is the reworked, returned version of my yesteryear’s hit ”˜Tenu kala chashma jach da eh’ Badshah, has composed the new version, has included fresh beats, rap by Bakshi and vocals of Neha Kakkar, Badshah and myself.
”˜Kala Chashma’ song has been picturised in Karan Johar’s film ”˜Baar Baar Dekho’, Share your experience?
I was overjoyed. Kala Chashma, 20 years ago, was one of the 10 songs being recorded to be taken to England. I was excited that some music producers were actually recording me. I sing with all my heart, I didn’t get any money for the song then. I would get happy if I got paid in those days but I am really happy that at least in people in Punjab are recognising that my voice exists in a Karan Johar’s film.
I am really happy that the song is doing so well and has come back into the limelight, it hits and smashes and song has the 20 something bonding inside clubs and on social media alike and the number of my shows has also increased in abroad. The song has caught enough bandwidth more than 60 million views already.
How do you view your musical journey?
Growing up in a poverty stricken family in the village Nangal Majja, Punjab, in which no one was interested in music. My parents didn’t appreciate the idea of a career in music my mother would constantly get irritated when I would play the harmonium. I taught myself by listening to folk songs sung by legendry Punjabi singers such as Gurdas Mann, Surinder Shinda and Kuldeep Manak, regular on All India Radio Chamkeela.
”˜Kala Chashma’ Song was originally recorded in a makeshift Jalandhar studio almost two decades ago, the song stayed on, becoming a favourite at weddings and local events in Punjab. It was again brought to life almost a decade ago by music producer Baljit Singh Padam aka Dr Zeus, who took it to the UK, in turn exciting the diaspora in the English land.
Who inspires you most other than Punjabi singers in Film Industry?
The legend Lata Mangeshkar, she is an inspiration for me.
It was pleasure meeting Amar Arshi and share his journey of music. He has come a long way from his young days. It was also a delight listening to talented Deep Money, SB the Haryanvi and other singers as well when Sydneysiders swayed to their music and could not stay away from the dance floor.
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