Gujarati Pop – Top Singers 2018

INTRODUCTION

When we came to know more about two great singers from Gujarat, Nikita Patel and Vijal Shah influenced by the music from the State, it triggered our interest to do some digging into Gujarati Pop music. More to it, we wanted to see the chances of young singers from this region to be successful locally and then nationally.

Our survey includes hours of listening to the most popular singers and our picks are based on their web presence or comments elsewhere about these singers about a career in music. There is very little or no information on most of the singers. Their music and popularity on YouTube play is the most important aspect in deciding these singers.

Here is the list of singers that we found the most interesting from this region who seems to be popular and reap success in music videos. Generally, the catchy drum beats unique to this state remained the main rhythm of many songs akin to the heartbeat of the land. Female singers excel in their subject selection and presentation for a wider audience in mind. The use of traditional Dhandiya style as the base and the beat of the drums magically can convey a range of emotions starting from upbeat moods to sadness is typical. There are singer groups who can bring variations of the drum beats very effectively and that seems to be a noticeable character.

The recent hit number Chogada, Bollywood music is the very evidence of influences of Gujarati folk in India’s music industry. Give a listen for sure, sure it will get you out of your seats and dance.

Before going into modern times, it will be a crime not to write a few lines about the history of Dhandiya and Garba dances and the associated music. The state’s royal families historically were big proponents of good music. Although Ustad Faiaz khan was from Delhi and Agra gharana, he was honored and lived in Baroda king’s court as a court musician of the Maharaja of Baroda.

The drumbeat of Garba and Dhandia music is like the heartbeat in your chest. The heart beats fast when something good or bad happens. The emotions that run during either state are definitely not the same. The use of props like dhol (drums) and the click of dhandiya (sticks), diya (small lights) are such beautiful symbolic representations coming from so profoundly thoughtful use of props for various expressions of music from nature. The beauty of this form of dance and music is so universal, anybody can relate to this. One can see in Gujarati pop the deep roots of human nature to express through various day-to-day items of their lifestyles.

The count down here is from old school singers to the most recent popular singers. In popularity, some of the young musicians outnumber the old school guys; to show some respect for the established singers, who may not have an agenda like tech-savvy young singers, we are starting with an old school singer as the first pick and he is

SANJAY OZA

A playback singer by profession who is known for his soulful singing and is nationally known for his huge success in the Gujarati music industry. Born into a musically inclined family to a famous mother, Shrimathi Uma Oza, who was an accomplished Hindustani classical vocalist of her period. Sanjay emerged into the music field through Gujarati playback singing big time supported by his proponent Gaurang Vyas (music director). He kept his leading role in Gujarat being very open to accepting the changes in the music industry. He has a Facebook presence and his recent concentration on Gujrati light music made his relevance still in this field a very strong one.

Sanjay Oza

Here we add one representative song that shows his singing characteristics. He is placed at position number last. His heart is in the unmatched beauty of the traditional styles of Gujarati folk and one hundred percent being a Gujarati at his heart. Enjoy this. One gets to see all the props and dance styles we described in the introduction. A traditional Indian music instrument called Harmonium can also be seen in this video. Play it for sure.

Parth Chaudhary

Parth Chaudhary is here for reasons that he occupies a very different niche in competition to other young Gujrati singers on YouTube; a few characteristics are his simplicity in singing style and use of strong symbolism in his music videos. His Goma Nu Dil is a chartbuster in the local Gujarati music scene took him to our pick on the top list here.

GEETA RABARI

Geeta Rabari

Now the top four countdowns. Personally, Geetaben Rabari is our favorite here; but as we said we are counting the numbers. Yet Geeta with her powerful voice and the folk touch voice we think is poised to make it big nationally elsewhere. Again once more our favorite pick, with an “A” grade for her powerful voice and beautiful folk touch, she is definitely is a singer that brings the heart of the land. In this modern age, singers like her is hard to come by. The beautiful tone of her high-pitched voice, with all that power, is addictive to listen to. One may find the recent news and YouTube video in which on Geeta’s stage performance someone showering her with money out of respect for her singing. Here listen to this sensational folk singer from Gujarat and witness the magic of her music. Huge respect for those people who love good music.

VIJAY SUVADA

Vijay Suvada

Vijay Suvada takes this position here at third for his voice quality. Among young singers, his voice stands out with such authority that we put him in this position. He is constantly listed as the top singer for TOIs Gujarati play-back review write-ups. This is due to his huge success in singing some of the recent popular Gujrati movie songs. He is hugely popular as a singer whose voice fits the playback industry’s lead actors as well. His Lago Jabara of 2018 is here enjoy.

JIGNESH KAVIRAJ

Jignesh is our topmost pick among male folks with a very successful play-back singing career in the Gujarat music industry. Jignesh comes from a strong music background family with his dad being a singer too (bhajans). Jignesh’s voice with a great texture and folk touch is what makes him outstanding from the rest of the crowd. His 2018 success is here.

KINJAL DAVE SECOND TO NONE

Kinjal Dave is interviewed by TOI corespondent for the right reasons from a vast number of young Gujarati singers. Her presence on National scene and her popularity else where is unmistakable. Apart from Geeta who also promote the Gujarati folk, Kinjal is at the other spectrum of singing career. She is modern, her foot print on web makes it more easy for fans to know her up-close and personal. Predictions are she is the singer from Gujarat to look for in the coming years whose entry into the Bollywood scene is highly anticipated. She is absolutely the best.

Sachin and Jigar

Lastly Saibo music directors. If we go with out mentioning these two musicians from Gujarat who made fame in Bollywood big time. Although there are a number of other success songs to their credit we want to highlight Saibo, a beautiful Gujarati song they made. The lyrics of this song is very high quality poetry (see below the Hindi version from the Hindi movie Shor in the city). Sachin and Jigger, despite their recent controversial allegations, are musicians who came from a Gujarti basis and made it big in the national scene.

Aishwarya Majumdar

Few other places we found that Aishwarya is a top young sensation on Gujarati music scene. We are adding this section after our initial publication when few of the readers send this to us. Although she is not very folk touch singer, we thought her web presence is obvious. Hear her song here.

END NOTES

Before we wind up this discussion, we want to add this movie song from far south in Tamil Nadu to illustrate how the influence of Gujarat’s music is catching up other regional language movie songs.

Definitely the young musicians who can realize the power of traditions and customs, found ways to strew their modern influences and make their own interpretations of the traditional music. Vijal and Nikita, our past featured artists from Gujarat, show how these youngsters despite they live elsewhere are still excited and influenced by their traditions. Please go read their features here, Vijal Shah and Nikita Patel.

A warm wishes for a great relaxed weekend and singing on Smule. Thanks friends for reading along. Great have you all folks here.

References :

Navratri – 9 days of Dandiya Ras and Garba

ITC Sangeet Research Academy

3) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/gujarati/music/im-glad-my-songs-are-promoting-gujarati-culture-kinjal-dave/articleshow/66147178.cms