Ratna Venkat – 
Krisharti Singh, youngest daughter of Raghubans and Indra Singh of Papatoetoe in South Auckland, recently launched her first Kirtan CD ‘Mann Mera Gaaye.’
She dedicated the album to her father at his 50th birthday celebrations held on October 4.
Among the main contributors to the CD are Navneel Prasad (Tabla), Pravneel Kumar (Flute & Sitar), Kishan Shivram (Guitar) and Namrata Kishan (chorus).
The CD contains songs originally sung by Pandit Hari Om Sharan, Anup Jalota, Lata Mangeshkar, Shreya Ghoshal and other popular singers.
Born in New Zealand, Krisharti is a Year 8 student at the Papatoetoe Intermediate School. She started singing at the age of four with her father at the Sheetal Ramayan Mandali during Ramayan programmes.
One day her father realised that she was better than him and hence stopped singing, encouraging Krisharti to continue on her own.
Diverse talents
At the age of six, she started taking lessons from Pandit Ram Kumar Sewak at the Pooja Cultural Centre where she learnt to play the Harmonium and Beginners Tabla.
Last year, she took Tabla lessons from Siri Prasad and Navneel Prasad.
She brought pride and joy to her teachers, family and friends when she won the top position in the Open Section of Kirtan Competition, competing against contestants who were much older than her.
She also learnt vocal music from Pankaj Arora for a few months.
Diploma in Music
About four months ago, Krisharti enrolled at Swar Sadhna Academy where she is taking vocal lessons from Sandhya Rao, in addition to pursuing her Diploma in Music through the Academy. Earlier this year, she completed a Certificate in Hindi course through the Central Hindi Directorate of the Indian government.
Krisharti is a versatile singer adept in devotional songs, Ghazals, Bollywood, old hits and ‘Lokgeet.’ She has performed at numerous cultural events and was known as the ‘Damaru Wale’ girl in her formative years.
Family support
She has also participated in dramas performing as Radhika and Sita.
“I am grateful to my parents and older sisters Sitanjali and Shivanjali who have assisted me in finding songs and practicing them at home. I am also grateful to young artistes Pravneel Kumar and Navneel Prasad who have been helping me for the last six years,” she said.
Copies of ‘Mann Mera Gaaye’ CD are available at Batra Shoes, Papatoetoe, Indian Sweets & Snacks, Otahuhu and from Raghubans Singh on 0274-795354.
Photo :
Krisharti Singh presenting Kirtans at her father’s 50th Birthday on October 4 in Auckland
