Sanjeev Satgainya

Kathmandu

Deepa Narayan is not a new name to Nepalis, though the wife of great singer Udit Narayan, she has her own name in music. To attend the Dabur Anmol Motion Picture Awards 2060, Deepa landed in the Capital after a long time and before she left for Mumbai we caught up with her to revive some memories.

“It gives me immense pleasure whenever I come to Kathmandu. After all, wherever we are and whatever we do, I have ample feelings for our country and this visit is so special. I received the award on behalf of Udit,” Deepa is excited. And this award has been one among the innumerable that Udit has been honoured with. Deepa is down to earth about her career and her family.

Deepa started her career as an airhostess and “singing has been my childhood interest”.

Born and brought up in Kalimpong, Deepa completed her studies in City College, Kolkata. She sang for the first time in a Nepali movie called ‘Paralko Aago’ directed by Pratap Subba. Since singing had always been her passion, she moved to Mumbai to try and produce some albums. “I had plans to bring out a duet and I needed a male singer.”

Ranjit Gajmer, the famous Nepali musician, too was in Mumbai at that time and Gajmer suggested a struggling guy who was also from Nepal and was in desperate need for a major break in the city of hope. “Ranjit dai suggested a guy and brought him to me saying that he would lead the male vocal in my album. It was a funny situation. I really wasn’t impressed at all when I saw a lean thin guy who was supposed to sing along with me. I thought how would I cope with his voice. I was in no way impressed,” laughs Deepa. And then she heard the voice; Udit sang some verses of some songs. “ It was the beginning. Rest is history!”

Many might wonder, especially those who have heard the songs — “Bhuli Gaye Samjhanalai” from ‘Kusume Rumal’ and “Gahiro Gahiro Sagar Jastai” from ‘Samjhana’ — that these were not originally recorded for the soundtrack. “These were songs from the album that Udit and I brought out. I produced the album ‘Hamro Geet’ and later these songs were picked for the movies,” she reveals. The album was pretty good with melodious songs but Deepa didn’t refuse when she was asked for the consent for the first song to be used for a movie. “That was the time when there was no trend of music videos and when Ranjit dai asked me, I instantly agreed and Udit too was acting in the movie. But the second song was picked without my knowledge and later Sambhu dai (director of ‘Samjhana’) told me that it was a surprise package for me.”

Deepa’s career was running smoothly. She had established herself as a singer and she had a permanent job but Udit was going through hard times, still in need for a major break. “The world is full of challenges. The moment you surrender to a challenge, you are no more in this world. Tough times teach us and prepare us for a better tomorrow and Udit and I used to think the same.”

Deepa, despite her full-time career and part-time singing career, still manages to be a good wife and mother. “My mother told me once that wives have to support their husbands with full potential and if you are not one step behind, remain half-a-step back to support him anytime — at times when he is low and at the times when he is happy. This is the mantra I still follow.”

The success has not brought any change in Deepa. “I am still the same Deepa. Yes, of course we get more busy but still I love to meet people, I try to spend quality time with my family and I always want to visit my homeland — Nepal.”

‘Quayamat Se Quayamat Tak’ was a mega hit all over and that made Udit a star overnight. And with fame and stardom, follow controversies. Udit was alleged with leaving Nepali citizenship, so much so that doubts were raised about Udit’s nationality and more. “Udit is a cool guy by nature and he tried to calm me down saying these all are part and parcel of our life. But I was really hurt. Instead of being proud that a Nepali boy and girl leaving their homeland, after spending hard times and incessant struggle have achieved something, we were getting negative feedback. Udit still carries a Nepali passport. He boasts of being a Nepali and we are proud of being Nepalis.”

Deepa does not forget to mention that in Mumbai both have never felt any humiliation or discrimination. “The love and respect we have got is immense there.”

Deepa has sung many songs in Nepal and for Nepali movies but she has not been heard singing for Bollywood movies. “It’s a full-time business. I have to take care of my family. My son is in college and I have to think about his career as well. So, I am happy to sing for regional languages. I am singing in eight languages.”

How often does she get time to spend with family? “Udit no doubt remains busy most of the time and when there are stage shows we go together. It helps us to be together most of the time.” Deepa has performed in more than 2,000 stage shows and performs with only Udit.

Deepa and Udit have brought a Nepali album recently, ‘Upahar’. “It is a gift to you all. It’s a present to Nepal and Nepalis. We have always loved our country and will be till the end. It is our country and we are proud to be Nepalis, no matter whoever says what.”