It’s been a great year for Tochi Raina. Early January, his song Aali Re from No One Killed Jessica ruled the air waves. Later this year, Tochi Raina rendered the melodious Saibo for Shor In The City, a song that continues to get requested even today, long after the movie’s come and gone. Mallo Malli from the recently released Mausam is another hit he’s churned.

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Life was a struggle The going’s never been better for the sufiyana singer. But his current success took a long time coming. Almost 20 years, if you were to peg a number.

Lack of opportunities, mistaken identity (another singer got wrongly attributed for Pardesi from Dev D sending Tochi Raina into depression)... well, the singer with the earthy, soulful vocals has had to face some major roadblocks, before claiming his place under the sun. Verily why, he relates to that line from Rockstar, about how pain and struggle are crucial to becoming a great musician.

Assenting to the truth in that dialogue, he adds, “Rockstar is completely my life. The instances that Imtiaz has added in the story resemble my life, quite closely. I will need at least 24 hours to recount my life story!” he jests.

Getting into the songTalking about the songs that come his way, he says, “Most music directors know my nature and give songs they know will suit Toshi paaji’s voice.”

Remarking on his work style, he says, “I internalise the song and its lyrics before getting in front of the mike. I get into the character’s psyche, understand the song’s situation and that is why I sound different in every song of mine.” So, which song of his did he put his soul into? “I gave my all to the song Pardesi from Dev D,” is his ready answer. While he cannot reveal his forthcoming film songs, he says, “A song of mine is coming out next month.”

My life in an album“It’s the best time to be a singer,” avers Tochi. “The different platforms available to a singer today,” he feels, is one reason. That said, Tochi reckons that making a music album is essential. He explains, “A film song represents a music director’s idea. An album, on the other hand, represents the artiste’s biography.” Tochi’s working on an album titled Sona Sajan. “The album is a compilation of all sufiyana songs. The music has been composed by my friend  Sukhi Kalsi and my wife, Shweta Raina, has written the songs,” he elaborates and softly reiterates, “The album is my biography.”

Almost famousFor someone who’s steeped in spirituality and views his talent as a “gift from God”, fame can be an unsettling issue. What’s his take? “I have not achieved anything yet!” he remarks. “I will think I have  achieved fame when I go international, when I get to sing and spread His message to the audiences in the West.” It’s easy to notice that Tochi Raina’s is deeply spiritual, especially when he brings it up in every other comment of his.”Every individual has an agni in him. A burning desire to discover his purpose. Music is my chosen path to spread His message,” he profoundly states.  

Catch Tochi Raina belting out hits, in his first unplugged webcert, from 4pm to 5pm on November 30, on www.artistaloud.com.