Navin Kundra

Navin Kundra
Background information
Birth name Navin Kundra
Born (1985-01-11) January 11, 1985
Coventry,
United Kingdom
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Producer, Performer, Musician
Instruments Guitar, piano, harmonium, drums
Years active 2004–present
Website www.navin-online.com

Navin Kundra is a British singer/songwriter, who writes, composes and performs songs in Hindi, Punjabi and English. With a strong fan based reach of over 3 million people and growing, Navin has achieved six number one singles in the Asian Charts, and won the 2013 'Entertainer of the Year' Award in the Houses Of Parliament. In 2011, he became an ambassador for the British Asian Trust, founded by HRH The Prince Of Wales and used his music to break a Guinness World Record raising £10,000 for the Trust. In 2012, Navin was appointed ambassador of the diabetes charity, Silver Star, founded by Keith Vaz MP whose patrons include Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty. Since becoming one of their ambassadors, Navin has helped the charity raise in excess of £10,000 by performing at fundraising events across the UK. As a popular youth icon, Navin also uses his position as a role model to inspire the youth and delivers a number of talks at youth conferences across the UK. In October 2013, Navin became the first British Asian singer to be invited to St James' Palace to perform for TRH Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall along with other distinguished guests.[1] In November 2015, Navin was a headline performer at Wembley Stadium in London, England for the historic visit of the PM of India, Shri Narendra Modi [2]

Career

His first break came on his 19th birthday when he represented the UK in an exclusive World Series of Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa filmed in Dubai. This gave him the opportunity to showcase his talent to stalwart figures in the Indian music industry, such as Ghulam Ali, Zakir Hussain, Jagit Singh, O. P. Nayyar and Shaan, as well as presenting his singing talents to a worldwide television audience.

Then he went on to win the BBC Asian Network's Unsung 2005 competition, which was one of his proudest moments. He performed live at the prestigious Birmingham Symphony Hall along with some of the biggest artists in Asian music including Gurdaas Maan, Jazzy B, Stereo Nation and the Rishi Rich Project.

After his performance of 'Feel' by Robbie Williams, the judges, who included Rishi Rich, Nyrone Persaud, Adil Ray, Shin (DCS), and Mona Singh, declared Navin the winner of the competition. He also won the audiences' favorite award, as he was voted for by thousands of BBC Asian Network listeners.

Navin has released nine music videos - 'Dangerous', 'Jind', 'Pa Na Na', 'Zinda Hoon' (I am Alive) with dancers from the Eastern Illusion Dance Troupe, the following were co-written and produced by Mushtaq - 'Love Thing', 'Mehbooba', 'Jee Le', 'Shudaayi' and 'Hamesha'.

Navin has also collaborated with Rishi Rich and Jay Sean on a track called 'Fade Away' which was going to be a special feature for his new album. However, he has chosen to use it as a tribute to the King of Pop Michael Jackson.

He is the first British Asian artist to perform at the seven star Burj-al-Arab Hotel, Dubai (2009).

He became an ambassador for the British Asian Trust on July 7, 2011.[3]

In 2012, Navin was appointed ambassador of diabetes charity, Silver Star [4] founded by Keith Vaz MP.

Navin was awarded as an ambassador for Sewa Day at the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Palace of Westminster, London, March 26, 2014.

Notable Performances

Navin performed for a second time for the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Brussells to address the European Union (EU) on March 30, 2016. [5]

Navin was a headline performer at Wembley Stadium on Nov 13, 2015, on the occasion of Community Reception for Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. [6]

Acoustic version of Amazing Grace in the River Room within the House of Lords, in support of the Lily Foundation; a charity which works to combat human trafficking and child abuse in India - July 15, 2014.

Performance in The House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Palace of Westminster, London - March 20, 2014

Performed for TRH Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall - St James' Palace - October 24, 2013

Reception hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron's wife, Samantha Cameron for Silver Star (charity) initiative for diabetes 6th anniversary - sang for Bollywood Legend Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Saif Ali Khan, and Kareena Kapoor - September 12, 2013 [7]

Headline Act for 'Save Wild Tigers' Gala Event alongside Virginia McKenna, Joanna Lumley & Jimmy Choo, London, March 21, 2013 [8]

Asian Express' 100 Years of Bollywood With Jackie Shroff in Bradford, May 3, 2013

An Exclusive Evening With The King Of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan at the CSN International Exhibition & Conference Centre In Birmingham January 26, 2013

In Concert with Atif Aslam, Bollywood playback singer at LockDown 2012 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester - April 27, 2012

Headline Act & Co-Presenter at Miss India UK Worldwide Beauty Pageant, London, 2012

In Concert with Raghav at Nawaab in Manchester, on March 16, 2012

Guinness World Records for largest Bollywood Dance at Manchester Mega Mela at Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield (1,406 people breaking the previous record of 1,336 people in Bandra, Mumbai, India) to his song Mehbooba on July 23, 2011.[9]

Shared the stage with Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan July 2011.

Star Act and Guest Judge on the prestigious Asian dance show, 'Boogie Woogie', New York, 2011

Worked with award-winning Canadian director Jazz Virk and artist Prita Chhabra on Virk's project Dance on May 28, 2011.

Special performance at a Silver Star event for (former) PM Gordon Brown, Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty & Jesse Jackson - February 22, 2010

Star Act at British Asian Sports Awards, featuring boxer Amir Khan, Chipmunk, The Saturdays & Heatwave, London, 2010

Food For Life Charity Event with Vivek Oberoi, Nitin Ganatra & Niraj Chag - London - October 10, 2009

Performed with legendary percussionist and producer Pandit Dinesh, and virtuoso piano player Kishon Khan.

Projects

Wrote the lyrics for Avina Shah's debut song Tere Bina, which released on October 2010. It is a charity song to raise awareness of domestic violence and is supported by the Southall Black Sisters. The song was inspired from the real-life story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, played by Aishwarya Rai in the film Provoked.

Navin in Bollywood

Filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala chose Navin to be the playback singer for Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar in Kambakth Ishq (Damned Love), released on May 29, 2009.

Navin in Hollywood

Navin's sixth #1 Punjabi Track Shudaayi features in director Raghav Murali's film - The Spectacular Jihad of Taz Rahim, released on May 29, 2015 [10]

Discography

'Jind' (feat. Alison Gabrielle) released on iTunes - February 12, 2015 [11]

'Dangerous' released on iTunes - December 4, 2014.[12]

'Paint the Town' released on iTunes - June 11, 2014 as part of The Heights EP by Naamless a.k.a. Sahil Sabh (Son of renowned DJ/Remixer San-j Sanj and protege of Rishi Rich).[13] The Heights EP went to #1 on the World iTunes Chart within a half hour of its release.

'Pa Na Na' released on iTunes - November 7, 2013,[14] and became #3 in their world charts less than 36 hours later. It was #1 on Radio Asia FM (New Jersey, USA) for their top 40 songs of the 2013 countdown.

'Hamesha' (Forever) released on February 14, 2013. It is the cover of the Heatwave R&B song Always and Forever.

'Shudaayi' released on iTunes - August 20, 2012 and became #3 in their world charts less than 24 hours later. The music video released on YouTube the same day and within three days had over 50,000 views. It went from #11 as a new entry to #1 on the Sunrise Radio Charts in the 4 weeks prior to its release, and remained there for 3 weeks making it his 6th #1 single. It placed #2 on the Essential Top 20 Chart for Buzz Asia. It hit #3 in the Luv Asia Radio Charts and #7 on the Urban South Asian Charts on Naach Radio in Toronto, Canada.

'Nach Le' released on iTunes - September 30, 2011

'Aaja' released on iTunes - February 14, 2011. Debuted at #8 on their world chart February 15, 2011 and by that same evening had reached #1. A week before its official release, Aaja entered the Essential Top 20 Chart on Buzz Asia at #16 and was in the #1 spot the following week (Feb. 12, 2011). Aaja also debuted on the BBC Asian Network Chart at #6. It also hit #1 on Sunrise Radio Chart in its first week.

'Jee Le' released - July 29, 2010 and spent 4 weeks at #1 in the Sunrise Radio Charts

'Mehbooba' released - July 26, 2009 and went to #1 on the charts.

'Fade Away' (A Hindi and English track) released in June 2009 as a tribute to Michael Jackson after his passing away.

'Tere Liye' (For You) a love song (co-written with Mushtaq, composed and sung by Navin) was released February 14, 2009 and debuted on the Unity Charts at #3 and within two weeks was in the #1 spot! It held the #1 spot on Unity 101 radio for a number of weeks and was #2 in their top 40 songs of the year. It spent a total of 12 weeks on the Asian charts at the #1 spot.

'Love Thing' hits BBC Asian Network Charts at #16 - February 23, 2009. Its music video was screened at Deejay Ra's music video night in Toronto, Canada at the FILMI festival, North America's longest running South Asian film festival.

'Khalli Dil' (Empty Heart) is a soulful song written and composed by Navin.

'Zinda Hoon' (I am Alive) released December 17, 2007

'Main Ha Tere Naal' (I am with You) released in July 2007 was his second release, sung in Punjabi. It entered the Official People's Chart on Sunrise Radio at number 9.

'Tukde, Tukde' (Pieces), which released in September 2006, was Navin's debut song, sung in Punjabi. He co-wrote with his friend M. Johal. The first live radio interview about this song was on Sabras Radio with Raj Baddhan who presented the Drive Time Show. This song won several awards on the various radio stations. (see below)

Albums

The Collection released on September 19, 2015. This eighteen track album includes Navin's six #1 hit tracks and three breathtakingly beautiful Hindi mix covers.[15]

Awards

UK Bhangra Awards 2015 for Best Urban Punjabi Singer - November 28, 2015

Entertainer of the Year Award in the Houses of Parliament at the Asian Voice Public Life & Political Awards - February 7, 2013

Nominated for Best Alternative Act for the UK Asian Music Awards - February 1, 2011, Gatecrasher Birmingham

Nominated for Best Male Artist and Best Alternative Act for the UK Asian Music Awards - February 2, 2010, Gatecrasher Birmingham

'Tere Liye' - 2009 - Spent weeks (6 at number 1) on the Club Asia Essential Chartshow

Nominated for Best Newcomer on the UK Asian Music Awards - March 5, 2009, Royal Festival Hall

'Love Thing' - Adil Ray's 'BIG ONE' on BBC Asian Network

'Zinda Hoon' - Adil Ray's 'BIG ONE' on BBC Asian Network - December 2007

'Zinda Hoon' - 'Tastemakers' on Club Asia - December 2007

'Tukde Tukde' - Veena V's Top Dog on Club Asia - 2006

'Tukde, Tukde' - People's Chart Award - Sunrise Radio - 2006 (spent 15 weeks on the charts with 3 weeks at number 1)

BBC Asian Network's Unsung - 2005

Notes

  1. ↑ "The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall host a pre-tour reception". 2013-10-24. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  2. ↑ "British singer Navin Kundra performs Jai Ho". Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  3. ↑ "Ambassador Navin Kundra". Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  4. ↑ "Global Village". 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  5. ↑ "Navin Kundra shines bright like a Diamond at Brussels PM Modi visit". 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  6. ↑ "British Singer Navin Kundra Performs Jai Ho". 2015-11-13. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  7. ↑ "Singer Attracts Thousands To Good Causes". 2013-10-11. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  8. ↑ "Tiger Gala Dinner Gallery". 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  9. ↑ "Navin Kundra helps break Guinness World Record!". 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  10. ↑ "Navin Kundra - Shudaayi - A Punjabi Track from The Spectacular Jihad of Taz Rahim". 2015-08-20. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  11. ↑ "Navin Kundra's Jind Ft. Alison Gabrielle". 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  12. ↑ "Navin is Feeling Dangerous". 2014-12-24. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  13. ↑ "NaamLess releases 6 track EP 'The Heights' ft. Various". 2014-06-15. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  14. ↑ "Navin Kundra's Hot New Dance Track Releases Today Worldwide". 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
  15. ↑ "Navin Kundra Announces His New Album – The Collection". 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2015-09-21.

External links

Interviews - Articles

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