Kathmandu:

Talent and creativity are innate aspects of any person’s persona and one can never learn or acquire them. You just have to be born with it. The penchant for music seems to be the mantra of the present generation. In fact almost every single human has a strong passion for music regardless of any genre. DJ Nawed, the latest sensation to hit the remix industry of India by giving hits like Salaam Namaste, Musafir, Dus and Zinda, is the perfect example of a true gifted DJ and music producer. The Himalayan Times had an interesting chitchat with this renowned DJ on his life and music while he was visiting Nepal recently.

Born and brought up in a traditional orthodox Muslim family and a Software Programmer by qualification, Nawed was always fascinated by the club culture. Taking up DJing as a full-fledged profession was but obvious a natural decision for him. “Music has been my second love after computers. I am a workaholic and just cannot do without my computer and my music,” expressed this buoyant DJ who is considered the youngest DJ of House music in India. He was just seventeen and his passion for DJing took him to various clubs around town learning the skill better with each passing year.

After doing stints at various elite and popular clubs in town, Nawed got highly influenced by House music while playing with Akbar Sami and since then there was no looking back. “In 2003, I joined Club V with DJ Pearl, who I consider to be the best DJ ever. The club was the only club in town to play truly international music. After that club, I started working for clubs in five star hotels and at present am the Resident DJ and advisor for Club Bohemia,” stated Nawed. The passion for Music just did not end there and Nawed always wanted to do a lot more in the music scene of India. This was when a partnership VJ, Nikhil Chinappa happened and they started producing music. “Nikhil and I struck a very good partnership and the music we produced together has won great acclaim. Nikhil and Pearl are the ones responsible for making me what I am professionally and of course personally, it has to be my mom since I stand tall only because of her today,” added he. Together these brilliant producers have gifted some of the most hip and happening remixes of the recent times including the Indian Idol I compilation, Musafir, Deedar De and Dus Bahane from Dus, Salaam Namaste and the latest smash-hit Zinda.

He swears by House music and also boasts of an exclusive studio in his own bedroom. “I love Shahrukh Khan, Hindi movies and am a hardcore cricket fan like any other Indian. I live by the principle of don’t drink, don’t smoke and eat healthy,” expressed Nawed on a more personal note. “DJing is as glamorous as it can get. But it is certainly not the easiest thing. It is a short-lived career and takes a lot of effort. The DJs here in Nepal, though I haven’t heard all of them, are good. DJ B-Man and DJ Kranti play absolutely good and DJ Ankit is certainly the best progressive house DJ from India here,” he expressed. Nawed feels that one should learn to respect a DJ and his music. “DJing is like watching a movie. You like it or not, you cannot change it. It is an art and any DJ puts in a lot to create his tunes. The crowd should learn to respect this and not demand him to change his music,” he said.

He is working on a big project with DJ Ankit here in Nepal and hopes that Nepal too makes a niche for itself in the international music scenario very soon. A complete package of talent and intellect, DJ Nawed certainly epitomises success and determination. Watch out for his exclusive smash-hits, which are sure to rock your world through and through.