Kandivili resident Srikanth Narayan, better known as the ‘Voice of Mohd Rafi’ regales music lovers with his mellifluous voice -writes Rajesh Subramanian.
Some singers have the unique ability to captivate the listeners with their melodious vocal chord and transport them to a world of bliss. Kandivili resident Srikanth Narayan is one of the finest exemplar of this. Endowed with a rich, resonant baritone he has steered his way into the hearts of music aficionados. “ He is an awesome crooner and he does complete justice to the Mohammed Rafi classics that he renders. We make it a point to attend all his concerts “, gushes Jaymeera Jaganathan, a die hard Rafi fan. No wonder that the Maharashtra state government bestowed the prestigious ‘ Kalabushan Puraskar ‘ on the 38 year old singer for his invaluable contribution in the field of fine arts. “ The abundant love and affection showered by the music lovers has been the biggest morale booster for me. Their encouragement and enthusiasm goad me to perform better and better “, says the humble crooner.
Some singers have the unique ability to captivate the listeners with their melodious vocal chord and transport them to a world of bliss. Kandivili resident Srikanth Narayan is one of the finest exemplar of this. Endowed with a rich, resonant baritone he has steered his way into the hearts of music aficionados. “ He is an awesome crooner and he does complete justice to the Mohammed Rafi classics that he renders. We make it a point to attend all his concerts “, gushes Jaymeera Jaganathan, a die hard Rafi fan. No wonder that the Maharashtra state government bestowed the prestigious ‘ Kalabushan Puraskar ‘ on the 38 year old singer for his invaluable contribution in the field of fine arts. “ The abundant love and affection showered by the music lovers has been the biggest morale booster for me. Their encouragement and enthusiasm goad me to perform better and better “, says the humble crooner.
Born and brought up in mumbai and gifted with a remarkable voice Srikanth is a natural singer who actively participated in music competitions right from a tender age. “ I was a sport enthusiast and wanted to become a cricketer “, reveals Srikanth with a broad smile and adds “ It was only after I won the first prize at the intercollegiate singing competition that I gave singing a serious thought”. Post graduation, in the science faculty from Bhavan's college , Srikanth worked for a pharmaceutical company for seven years. “ Somehow I was not content with the mechanical nine to five job. My abiding passion for singing motivated me to quit my job and I plunged headlong into fulltime singing “, mentions Srikanth.
In 1986 he recorded the frothy marathi ditty ‘ Dol doltay waravor ‘ and the song became a staggering success and won Srikanth a ‘double platinum disc’. Since then there has been no turning back for this awesome vocalist who has recorded more than thousand private songs in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malyalam. He has also lent his vocals to umpteen cover versions, remixes, jingles, advertisements, television serials like ‘Maal Hai Toh Taal Hai’, ‘ Baap Numbari Beta Dus Numbari’ and Marathi films like ‘Shubhmangal Savdhan’, ‘Shezari Shezari’ and ‘Daryachi Daulat’. Though it's a bit surprising that hailing from a southindian Iyer background Srikanth has found a firm foothold in the world of Marathi playback. He promptly elucidates, “ Raised in Mumbai I have been conversing and singing in marathi right from an early age and find it extremely comfortable “.
Srikanth's Five Best
--------------------------------------
Duniya ke rakhwale - Baiju Bawra
Bichde sabhi bhari bhari - Kagaz Ke Phool
Aap ke haseen rukh pe - Baharen Phir bhi Aayegi
Din dal jaye - Guide
Tum jo mil gaye ho - Haste Zakhm
However, it is the stage arena that Srikanth adores the most and it has won him loads of accolades and a tremendous fan following. He brilliantly renders immortal compositions of Mohammed Rafi and enthralls the listeners at every concert. “ Rafisaab is my idol and I put in my best effort whenever I sing his songs “, he says. On Mohd Rafi’s twenty fifth death anniversary Srikanth got the rare opportunity to showcase his skills infront of the legendary singers siblings who have never graced any tribute programmes. “ I consider myself extremely fortunate to have got that wonderful chance to sing in their august presence. It was due to the able support and constant guidance of Manohar Iyer who has been a great source of inspiration for me “, confides Srikanth. He has performed in more than 900 stage shows all over India and abroad and has sung with popular artistes like Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan, Vinod Rathod and Sudesh Bhosle. Srikanth also presents exclusive Mohd Rafi shows where he performs with such ardour and diligence that he holds his audience spellbound. “ I want to present rare as well immortal gems of Rafisaab every year and enchant music lovers “, he says. Srikanth is making an earnest effort to carve a niche in bollywood and is leaving no stone unturned.
