The fact that self-confidence supported by encouragement brings out talent in people has yet again proved by a youngster, whose profession may appear far removed from the music industry.
IT Consultant Kanik Mongia, who works for Deloitte New Zealand, recently returned from India after releasing his debut album titled, ‘Mere Yaar’ (‘My Friend’). The team involved with the venture comprised a lyricist and composer who are anxious to make it big in Bollywood.
The 22-year-old man, who has a graduate degree (Bachelor of Information Management) and a postgraduate diploma in Information Systems, has constantly been a high achiever with a number of scholarships and awards.
Migrating from his native New Delhi with his family in 2001, Kanik has always evinced keen interest in music, manifest in his performances at several competitions, the first of which was ‘Humko Bhi Banna Hai,’ organised by Ashwin Anand. His rendition of ‘Woh Lamhe’ (title track of the 2006 Hindi film), earned him a place as a Runner-Up in the contest held in 2007.
He was the Runner-Up at the ‘Bollywood Melody Champs’ competition held in the same year, at which Bollywood composer Daboo Malik was a judge.
Kanik’s next show was Dreamz Production TV Venture, ‘Kaun Banega Superstar?’ He was featured regularly in the weekly show telecast on Triangle TV and was among the finalists at the live event held at Logan Campbell Centre.
Kanik is a second year student learning classical music under Sandhya Badakere, Director and Principal of the Swar Sadhana Academy of Indian Music based in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland.
As well as writing and composing his own songs, his ambition is to reach the status of a reputed artiste in New Zealand.
You can watch him on YouTube and follow him on Facebook.
-With reporting by Sunny Kaushal
