Q. How did you get into Bend It Like Beckham?
A. Gurinder and I go back quite a while. She used my song Laung Gawacha for her film, Bhaji on the Beach back in 1993. When Gurinder approached me for Bend It Like Beckham, I could not turn her down, it sounded like a good film.

Q. How was it like working with Gurinder Chadha?
A. When she came to my studio to listen to what I had in mind for the film, she was like a child in a sweetshop. She instantly fell in love with the song Noorie from the album Bollywood Flashback 2. But when she heard the songs from a yet-to-be-released album called Gunjan, she insisted that it was just right for the film. Initially, it was difficult for me to agree as it wasn't even available in stores yet. We worked hard on working out what songs and musical inserts should go in different parts of the film but the end result was good. I think everyone involved was pleased.

Q. So what happened to Gunjan?
A. It is the latest release on my label Ishq Records. It's the debut album of one of my artists, Gunjan. It has 17 tracks including Punjabi and Hindi songs, all in different styles of dance, garage R&B with a little classical music. There is something there for everyone. Trust me once you hear this girl's voice, you will be hooked!

Q. Is Gunjan your find?
A. Gunjan has been with Ishq Records for three years now. She is famous for singing Noorie. She could have featured in other albums but Gunjan's voice is not something that should appear on just anyone's album. You can make or break someone's career by putting out a low-quality album. I have allowed her to appear only in projects worthy of her voice. She has featured in Bollywood Flashback 2, Bootlegged and Anything But Silent. We have kept Gunjan under wraps and have been gearing her towards what will be a long career in the music industry. She isn't just a fly-by-night singer.

Q. Any Bollywood plans?
A. Talks are on for a full film score. Some are using my existing tracks. Gurinder has already hired me for her next film.

Q. How is your India tour shaping up?
A. I'm really excited about this tour. I will be there for two weeks and it's jam packed with gigs in different cities. So a lot of travelling and partying but it is worth it because I love performing in India. My biggest fan base is there. Put out the message: The Godfather of bhangra is back.

REVERBERATIONS
The Song Lives On

Farmaaish, Begum Akhtar Sony Music Rs 55

There is a mystique about the ghazal queen, Akhtaribai Faizabadi or Begum Akhtar, as she is popularly known. Her romanticism and life were unique, bindaas. She liked alcohol and smoked tobacco, but it did not affect her silken voice. Her music was natural and spontaneous as is evident in Farmaaish. The album is a recording of a concert held on January 16, 1957 -11 ghazals, dadra and thumri immortalised in her voice.

In Kesariya, the Begum touches upon poetic themes in her inimitable delicate tone. Wo dil mein has the subtle grace of spontaneous niceties of musical phrasing. Usually when a singer's voice cracks on a high octave, it reflects badly on her vocal range. But for the queen of ghazals such a break is but a beauty spot on a fascinating face. She had even acted in films like Nala Damayanti and Mumtaz Begum. Her hypnotic voice weaves an intricate dadra in Pat rakho. Her technique is distinct, and reflects hours of arduous training.

The Begum often used to say, "My voice is Allah's gift. I want to die singing." She passed away in 1974 in Ahmedabad after surviving two heart attacks but her voice like a perennial river lingers on. It's a pity the government awarded the Padmabhushan posthumously in 1974 and not during her lifetime. For Akhtar fans, this is a collector's item.

-S. Sahaya Ranjit