Naveen Kumar (musician)
| Naveen Kumar | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | P.M.K. Naveen Kumar |
| Genres | Bollywood, Instrumental |
| Occupation(s) | Flautist, Composer |
| Instruments | Flute |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Labels | Folktronic (Sony Music Independent) |
| Website |
www |
Naveen Kumar (born P.M.K. Naveen Kumar on 1 January 1965 in Vishakhapatnam) is an Indian flautist who has accompanied many film music directors and composers on popular Bollywood tracks. Naveen has also directed music for Gospel recordings.
Early life
At the age of three, Naveen started singing, and with no formal training, he started playing the flute. Naveen gave his first flute recital at the age of eleven. During this initial phase of his musical career, he was accompanied by his brother, Jyothi Kumar, on the tabla, and the two would perform at local concerts and the Vishakhapatnam radio. Naveen graduated from the School of Fine Arts, Andhra University (Vishakhapatnam) in 1982. Naveen came to the Tamil film industry in the year 1983, with his brother and father.
Musical career
Naveen has played for leading Bollywood film music composers such as A.R. Rahman, Ilayaraja, Pritam, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Sajid-Wajid and Salim Sulaiman. He has performed with musicians such as Sivamani, Louiz Banks, Mandolin Srinivas, John McLaughlin. Eventually, Naveen moved to Mumbai to get chances to work with other composers in India.
Naveen has also occasionally featured vocals in film songs by A.R. Rahman, M.M. Keeravani and Deva. Songs include Kaadhal Sadugudu in Mani Ratnam’s Alaipaayuthey, and Salam Gulamu in Deva’s Hello.
While Naveen collects and plays a variety of flutes from different parts of the world,[1] his favorite to play is his bamboo flute as his father, Sri Dharma Chari, presented it to him.[2] Naveen has also created his own flute, which he calls the "Naveen Flute".[3] This flute features flute tone and the vibration of strings (through the placement of a string on the side of the flute).[4]
Naveen has received great attention for the instrumental orchestral piece, Bombay Theme,[5] which AR Rahman composed and arranged for the film Bombay in 1995. Other popular songs that feature his flute interludes are Zara Zara (Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein) and the Kal Ho Na Ho title track. He also performed with A.R. Rahman and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Southbank Centre in London on 7 April 2010.
Private Albums
| Year | Album | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | FluteTronics | Sony Music |
| 2011 | Melodies of Love | Sony Music |
| 2010 | Café Fluid[6][7] | Sony Music |
| 2009 | Celebration 2010 (with Jyothi Kumar) | P.M.K. Naveen Kumar |
| 2006 | Fluid | Sony Music |
| 2006 | Never Say Goodbye | Sony Music |
Films
- Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2011)[8]
- Raavan (2010)
- Jab We Met (2007)
- Kisna (2005)
- Dhoom (2004)
- Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
- Warriors of Heaven and Earth (2003)
- Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein (2001)
- Taal (1999)
- Dil Se (1998)[9]
- Bombay (1995)
- Roja (1992)
References
- ↑ Bombay Theme Music and Flute Innovations by Flute Naveen Kumar. Dir. SudeepAudio. Perf. Naveen Kumar. YouTube.com. Sudeep Audio, 25 Feb. 2012. Web. 30 July 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GDKbSjjZLY>.
- ↑ VIP. "Flautist Extraordinaire: In Conversation with Naveen Kumar | Music Aloud."Musicaloud.com. Music Aloud, 17 July 2010. Web. 24 July 2012. <http://www.musicaloud.com/2010/07/17/naveen-kumar/>.
- ↑ Singh, Nirmika. "Naveen Kumar Invents New Melodies." http://www.hindustantimes.com/. Hindustan Times, 27 Nov. 2011. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Music/Naveen-Kumar-invents-new-melodies/Article1-774673.aspx>.
- ↑ Ramanujam, Srinivasa. "Naveen Kumar's Musical Expression."Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times Of India, 21 Oct. 2011. Web. 24 July 2012. <http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-21/news-and-interviews/30306143_1_composers-musical-side-favourite-instrument>.
- ↑ Flautist Naveen Kumar Performing Bombay Theme - ARRahman. Dir. Androarun. Perf. Naveen Kumar, Sivamani, AR Rahman. Youtube.com. YouTube, 20 Feb. 2011. Web. 24 July 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSAM5fLB4Rg>.
- ↑ Kohli, Harshita. "Naveen Kumar and His Magic Flute." Planetradiocity.com. Planet Radiocity, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://www.planetradiocity.com/musicreporter/music-review-details/Cafe-Fluid/25>.
- ↑ "Rahman's Flautist Navin Kumar Launches Album | Editorial-News | Radioandmusic.com."Radioandmusic.com. Radioandmusic.com, 5 May 2010. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/rahmans-flautist-navin-kumar-launches-album>.
- ↑ Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna - Never Say Good Bye - Official Title Instrumental Music in HBR Sound. Dir. Pchero123. YouTube.com. YouTube, 21 Oct. 2011. Web. 30 July 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR3L4iC1Two>.
- ↑ Jiya Jale Flute Rendition by Naveen Kumar. Dir. Lijo4you. Perf. Naveen Kumar.Youtube.com. YouTube, 7 May 2010. Web. 24 July 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpOJ6DkpBlQ>.