Kumar recalls his musical journey
INSPIRED by his parents, Amit Kumar started singing at the age of 14. The 45-year-old who lives on Vuci Rd in Nausori, formerly of Korowiri in Labasa, saw his father Ashok Kumar and mom Ray Mati singing lokgeet (traditional wedding songs) and kirtan (Hindu devotional songs) since he was a child. And he used to accompany them to wherever they sang and was fascinated with those Hindu folk songs.
As he grew, he continued to sing. Today, he is a well-known lokgeet, kirtan and bhajan singer.
“My father taught me some kirtan when I was a kid,” Kumar said.
“He also taught me to sing bhajan.”
After leaving school, Kumar moved to Suva in 1992 in search of a job. It also gave him the opportunity to sing kirtan and bhajan. For some time, he stayed in Vatuwaqa where he had the chance to visit various Ramayan mandali and take part in their weekly programs.
“I got so interested that I joined Vatuwaqa Baal Ramayan Mandali.
“People started to know me as I was visiting various Ramayan mandali and places and took part in the singing programs.”
Kumar started singing lokgeet in public when he was 22 years old.
“One of my nieces was getting married and I had to arrange for a lokgeet singer.
“I managed to find one, but his charge was a bit too much. We couldn’t afford it, so I decided to sing.
“I had never sung lokgeet before and did not have lokgeet songs with me. So, I went to learn from one of my grandmothers.”
Kumar said she gave him some lokgeet and taught him how to sing them, while he also composed some.
He said the audience appreciated his performance at his niece’s wedding.
“The people really loved it. “From this event, my interest in lokgeet grew. I started composing more lokgeet and continued singing.
“In my free time, I keep practising all new tunes on the harmonium because with more practice, the better I become.”
Kumar said apart from his parents his first guru outside was the late Hari Kisun from Vatuwaqa.
“I learnt a lot from him. He taught me raag (a musical pattern that can form part of a longer piece), taal (rhythm) and sur (melody).
“I was a taxidriver then, so after work I used to sit with my guru to learn about various music forms, especially our traditional tunes.
“He also taught me what types of music and songs were required at various programs.
“Mr Kisun was the one who guided me in bhajan and lokgeet. He was the brother of my grandmother who gave me the first set of lokgeet.”
Kumar said his music depends on the environment where he sings.
“When I go to sing, I see the environment first. If there are more youngsters, I choose the latest music but if there are more older people, then I choose their type of music.
“Older people don’t like the latest music, so we have to be very mindful of choosing the music.”
Kumar is preparing to release a lokgeet album by the end of this year.
“Most of the work for this is done because I have lots of songs already composed. Just have to organise and release the album.”
Kumar’s sons are also interested in singing and he keeps motivating them.
“I have two sons aged 20 and 16. They both play dholak and sing kirtan.
“They always accompany me to programs to do choruses. I keep motivating them.
“I urge our religious groups like Ramayan mandali to teach our younger generation the importance of preserving our traditional folk songs and culture.
“They can play a major role in this because children attend religious programs every week.
“Parents should also play their part. If parents show interest, the children will follow.”
Kumar is a member of Satsang Paropkaar Kirtan Ramayan Mandali in Vuci, Nausori.
His bhajan guru is Anand Kumar Dass from Nausori.
“I still go and get his guidance whenever I need his help.”
From this event, my interest in lokgeet grew. I started composing more lokgeet and continued singing. In my free time, I keep practising all new tunes on the harmonium because with more practice, the better I become – Amit Kumar