| Navin Kundra | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Navin Kishore Kundra |
| Born | January 11, 1985 Coventry, United Kingdom |
| Occupations | Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Producer, Performer, Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, piano, harmonium, drums |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Associated acts | Eastern Illusion Dance Troupe |
| Website | www.navin-online.com |
Navin Kundra is a British Indian singer-songwriter, who writes, composes and performs songs in Hindi, Punjabi and English.
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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's debut song, which he co-wrote with his friend M. Johal was 'Tukde, Tukde' (Pieces). His first live radio interview about the song was on Sabras Radio with Raj Baddhan who presented the Drive Time show - September 19, 2007. This song won several awards on the various radio stations. (see below)
'Main Ha Tere Naal' (I am with you) was his second release, sung in Punjabi. It entered the Official People's Chart on Sunrise Radio at number 9.
Navin has released four music videos - 'Zinda Hoon' (I am Alive) with dancers from the Eastern Illusion Dance Troupe, 'Love Thing', which was co-written and produced by Mushtaq, Mehbooba and Jee Le.
Khalli Dil (Empty Heart) is a soulful song written and composed by Navin..
'Tere Liye' (For You) his newest love song (co-written with Mushtaq, composed and sung by Navin) was released February 14, 2009. It debuted on the Unity Charts at #3 and two weeks later was at #1! It spent 12 weeks at #1 across UK charts.
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. (See info. and link under external links below).
His music video "Love Thing" was also screened at Deejay Ra's music video night in Toronto at the FILMI festival, North America's longest running South Asian film festival.
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.
Guinness World Book of 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 Bhandra, Mumbai) to his song Mehbooba on July 23,2011.
Worked with award-winning Canadian director Jazz Virk and artist Prita Chhabra on Virk's project Dance on May 28, 2011.
Special performance for PM Gorden Brown, Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty & Jesse Jackson - February 22, 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.
Navin in Bollywood
Filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala chose Navin to be the playback singer for Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar in Kambakth Ishq (Damned Love), releasing on May 29, 2009.
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), making it his 4th #1. 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
Jee Le spent 4 weeks at #1 in the Sunrise Radio Charts
Mehbooba released - July 26, 2009
Tere Liye 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.
Love Thing hits BBC Asian Network Charts at #16 - February 23, 2009
Zinda Hoon released - December 17, 2007
Main Ha Tere Naal released July 2007 and entered the Asian charts at #9.
Tukde Tukde released in 2006
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
World Series of Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma - 2004