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THIS KOHLI WEARS MANY HATS
From carpet designing to real estate, singing and painting Lucknow’s Vikram Aditya Kohli is master of all
Lucknowite Vikram Aditya Kohli comes from a family of carpet exporters and has been a carpetdesigner himself. He is currently into real estate business, has played many sports and also dabbles in painting. But one thing that he is most passionate about is singing.
His first album ‘Socho Kabhi’ was released in 2002 on MTv. Last Christmas, he released his single ‘Chaahat’ which has over 2 lakh views.
Kohli is now settled in scenic locales of Bhumiyadhar near Nanital with his parents where he has set-up his own music studio.
“I left carpet designing and export some year back. I do property and investment for business but music is for soul which I am doing full time now,” he says as he prepares to launch his new video ‘Kaise kahen hum’.
At 52, he feels age is no bar for an artiste.
“You don’t have experience when you are young. I had my share of setbacks and have learnt with time. I write my own lyrics, do compositions and sing. I have around 60 original compositions with me. Now, I want to give them shape and take them forward,” says the artiste. He is pitching both songs with Bhatt camp and hopes to get a Bollywood break soon.
ARTISTE ‘MIJAZ’
Vikram inherited his love for music from his parents. “My father was a design engineer and used to sketch and paint. He is former chairman of UP Lalit Kala Kendra. My mother used to sing classical and ghazals. We have a piano which I started playing as a kid. Then I got a guitar which I learnt myself. I took formal training of sarod and that’s how my passion for music grew. My sister Renuka is a professional dancer and has performed internationally too. So, basically the entire family is of artiste ‘mijaz’ and I have taken the best from them,” says the singer who also paints.
He carried forward his parental business and branched out designing his own carpets and exporting them.
“I used to design and make high-end carpets and export it to Germany, Europe, Canada and the US. But, I closed it all and went to Mumbai to explore musical avenues.”
As carpet designer manufacturer and exporter his carpets were featured in top European catalogues and exclusive stores.
In 2002, Universal Music released his first music video ‘Socho Kabhi’.
“The song was on the theme of world peace and harmony and Miss India featured in the video with me. It was released on MTv and my CDs and cassettes were released. But, something went wrong with the promoters and it was not promoted as promised. My effort and time was wasted and I left it all and came back.”
Vikram has done musical shows too.
“I performed in front of 10,000 audiences during the Sharad Utsav in Nainital where legends like Birju Maharaj, Wadali Bandhu and Amit Kumar performed.”
Kohli has also composed music for
Tata Nano launch at Geneva motor show which was music for unveiling of car by Ratan Tata.
They entirely recorded and shot the music video of ‘Chaahat’ in Nainital and produced along with Ashish Kumaiya Sah and Rudy Singh, says Kohli.
SPORTY PAST
Kohli has been a sportsman and has achieved a lot in golf and snooker. “I’ve been 5 times snooker UP state champion — twice junior and thrice senior. I have played nationals, where I compete d with top players like Geet Sethi, Om Agarwal, Satish Mohan, Kankan Shamsi and IS Malik.”
He has also been a ‘single handicaper’ golfer and has won many state level tournaments. “I’ve won the prestigious Uttarakhand Governors Golf Cup twice and have been runners up 3 times. This year I was again the runner-up.”
EXPLORING PAINTING
He not just sings but paints as well.
“I do oil painting and now am looking forward to take that forward too. I have made many but most of them have been for gifting purpose. I am in talks with Dr Shobhit Chawla who does some wonderful photography. We will collaborate to work on a theme which will have his photographs and my paintings. I see this happening in next few months.”
His wife Vineeta is also into the business of property while his daughter Ishvara is a fashion stylist. She is doing her final year in New Delhi. As a part of her course, she has styled the likes of John Abraham and Jackie Shroff.
On a parting note he reveals his different passion. “I am a hobby chef and my friends can testify for that,” he adds.