Here we go again, yet ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE by DesiClub.com! When will we ever stop? Do you really want the answer? You should know it already, NEVER. DesiClub is proud to bring you another exclusive interview with an International star, the living legend of Hans Raj Hans. Ravi conducted this interview via telephone with Hans Raj, while he was working away on his latest project in India. Let's dig into the mind of one of our times' greatest singers, what are his influences and passions? Read on as Ravi goes on a journey with the icon of Hans Raj Hans.

Ravi Ramnarain: OK, Mr. Hans, first of all, thank you for taking the time to do this interview with desiclub.com.

Hans Raj Hans: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts with millions of folks on the www.

RR: Now tell me, how did the legend of Hans Raj Hans begin? In other words, what inspired you as a young person to become a musician?

HRH: As a kid, I was always fascinated with the music. No matter what kind of music. In particular, Punjabi folk singer Lal Chand Yamula (Yamula Jatt Toombi Wala) inspired me the most when I was a child. I was exposed to his music via loud speakers that used to stir the waves of our village Shafi Pur. I became a big fan of Yamula Jatt. I just wanted to be a singer like Ustad Lal Chand Yamula. I managed to get a Toombi (Ektara) and recited as many of his songs as I could. I never wasted any opportunity whenever asked to sing, during Bal Sabhas, school functions, everywhere. I played my Toombi like Yamula, and tried to sing in the same style and manner, as did he, trying to duplicate him as closely as possible. I didn't want to be anything else but a singer. I sang endlessly, each day, out in the open fields, alone in the sand dunes, at home, at school, in the company of others, and into the wells to reverb my voice back into my ears. Music was my soul - I knew I couldn't become anything else but a musician. At the age of eight, my father Sh. Arjun Singh Ji took me to Ustad Pooran Shahkoti's house. At that time, Ustad Shahkoti Sahib himself was a follower of Ustad Bakar Husain, the last living legend of Patiala Gharana. My father and me requested Shahkoti Sahib to take me as his follower. He said that he was not yet ready to accept anyone as a Shagird (disciple), but after listening to my song, he agreed to take me as his follower. As a matter of fact, he listened to the same song from me many times over that day. My true Murshad is Ustad Puran Shahkoti Ji, but I have availed every opportunity, at times, to learn music from all other maestros such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Salamat Ali, Nazakat Ali and Ghulam Ali Sahib. Even till today, my learning continues...

RR: I understand that your love of music influenced you to leave college in pursuit of your dream. Did you feel as if you were jeopardizing your future in any way by trying to make it in a business where very few people are indeed successful?

HRH: Make or break it, my future was music. Honestly speaking, I went to college so that I could take part in college or university music festivals and competitions, but not to study science or other art subjects. If I took interest in anything in college, it was music. I had nothing to lose by leaving the college, but I could lose everything if I had left music.

RR: Fair enough. Anyway, you now have many Punjabi movies to your credit in which you are a playback singer. What made you decide to cross over into the musical aspect of Bollywood?

HRH: It just happened that way. If opportunity knocks at your door, you can not refuse it. Ustad Nusrat Ali Khan was composing music for Bollywood production KACHE DHAGE. When it came to recording KHALI DIL NAHIN EH JAN VEE EA MANGDA, Nusrat Sahib couldn't think of anyone else but me. We both were among the panel of judges at a musical competition in England, and I had a chance to closely listen to and be listened to by Nusrat Sahib. Therefore, he knew that I was a big fan of him, and in his opinion, could do justice with the number. Khan Sahib called me from Bombay and gave me the chance. With the blessings of my Murshad and Almighty's grace, the number was highly accepted among a wide range of audience. I got lots of love from my admirers and fans around the world, and it further inspired me to continue my efforts in that direction.

RR: Would you ever consider an appearance in a Bollywood film?

HRH: As I said before, if opportunity knocks at your door, you must avail the opportunity. If anyone thinks of me as a prospect candidate for that, why not!

RR: What is your viewpoint on the traditional "Daru" Bhangra and the more mainstream "Pop Bhangra"? Which do you personally prefer and why?

HRH: Well, there must be a demand for Daru Bhangra and Pop Bhangra music, otherwise they would never have emerged or be extinct by now. It's not the singer, but the audiences' acceptance that keeps alive a particular type or style of music. What gets rewarded among the audiences just lives on. My personal choice is Sufiana music; that's what I've hailed from my Murshad Ustad Pooran Shahkoti Ji. I have a deep passion for Indian classical music as well which I listen and learn everyday. Other types of music such as folk and pop become very easy to sing if you're deep rooted in the classical music. I will highly appreciate if audiences develop more and more taste for our original Sufiana and Indian classical music. These are the forms of music that can preserve our musical heritage and earn us a distinct identity in the global arena.

RR: What do you have to say to your fans that don't like Pop Bhangra and miss the days of the Jatt/Daru Bhangra music?

HRH: I want to say that I would like to keep you happy as well. I can always meet your demands as well as venture into new types of music at the same time. Music trends are like seasons that come and go in cycles, but music is music. It's the same SAT SUR, we only use them differently.

RR: Will your next album contain more of the traditional Jatt Bhangra or will it be a Pop Bhangra album?

HRH: Only the time will tell.

RR: By the way, when is your next album coming out?

HRH: Please keep visiting my official site www.HansRajHans.net and you'll find it out.

RR: Haha, good answer! Say, most desi youths in America know you as the guy that sang Bally Sagoo's hit song, AAJA NACHLE, which is my favorite song of all time. What made you and Bally decide to break the "rules" of traditional bhangra and compose such a song? After all, AAJA NACHLE is the first bhangra song of its kind.

HRH: You are wonderfully right, AAJA NACHLE is a unique song. Bally Sagoo and I knew one another for some time. We share our experimental nature. All through our careers, we both have experimented with music. I have done it vocally and Bally Ji did it instrumentally. We decided to do something different, and the genesis was AAJA NACHLE. You know, when I sang Jasbir Cheema's MERA DIL with a SARGAM in it, some people thought I will be welcomed with stones if I sang it in front of a live audience, but it proved otherwise. That song was a big hit with the audience, and it proved another milestone in my musical career. Audiences used to and still do ANURODH /FARMAISH for that number everywhere I go, and so is the situation with this new experiment AAJA NACHLE. Audiences welcome new experimental things; you as an artist have to have the guts to pursue such endeavors. You can train your audience to adapt to new tastes. Tradition too has its curve of change, you know.

RR: Would you ever consider doing something that risky again?

HRH: If experiments are risky, then so be it.

RR: How about the video to AAJA NACHLE? How long did it take to make that, and was the experience one that you will cherish?

HRH: It took only a few days to shoot it, less than a week to my recollection. The post-production took some time. Indeed, I enjoyed the shoot of AAJA NACHLE. It was fun to be with a bunch of talented people.

RR: You have won many awards during your lifetime. Which one means the most to you, and why?

HRH: Various literary organizations and educational institutions have honored me. The latest in this series is my appointment as a visiting Professor of Sufism at the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India. I feel privileged when recognized institutions endorse your work. In my opinion, the biggest award to any artist is his acceptance by the general audience, and to me personally, that is what counts the most.

RR: So what's in store for the future beyond the realm of music?

HRH: Many new experiments. As they get realized, you will come to know about them via my web site and the news media.

RR: Are you planning any tours to the USA, particularly New York City?

HRH: Yes indeed, again keep visiting my official web site www.HansRajHans.net We will make an announcement once things get finalized.

RR: Would you ever consider collaborating with a western artist in an effort to bring desi music into the American mainstream?

HRH: May God soon bring fruits to our efforts in that direction.

RR: How is your rapport with your fellow Punjabi artists?

HRH: I treat each and every one of them as a member of my own PARIWAR (family) and so do they. Love begets love.

RR: OK, Mr. Hans, thanks again for taking the time to do this. Do you have one final message for the millions of visitors to desiclub.com?

HRH: Thank you once again to give me this opportunity to share my feelings with my web surfing audience. The message I want to convey to our folks is very simple. Let's shun war and drugs and promote love and compassion. God bless you all. RAB TUHANOO SABH NOO SADA CHARDI KALA VICH RAKHE - PHIR MILANGE. (Translation for all the non-punjabi/hindi speaking Desis: "May God keep all of you in safety and we shall meet again.")

Do you have any thoughts on this? Feel free to send Ravi an e-mail @ Ravi Ram.