Rohan Kirtane, a young and budding singer, is slowly being recognised in the Indian community in Auckland after winning a singing competition. He talks to Indian Weekender about his journey so far and future plans.
IWK: How would you introduce yourself?
Rohan Kirtane: I am a simple guy with just a blessed passion of singing and always ready to learn new things every single day.
IWK: Tell us about your musical journey
RK: Well, honestly I was not too much into singing when I was child. Later, my interest in music grew, and I started singing for myself. I used to play harmonium and used to sing along. As my family is social, I got a few chances to sing in front of family friends, and then came a time when I found myself singing in every single party.
I got a chance to be a part of a band in Pune, called D.O.T. That is when my musical journey actually started. When I came to Auckland, I was extremely lucky to get a chance to participate and win a singing competition organised by Humm FM. That was my first chance to sing live on stage in Auckland.
After that, it was hard to stop me. I kept on learning and kept on building. I would love to thank people close to me without whom my journey in Auckland was impossible—Mr. Sujeet Sabnis and Mrs. Tanvi Sabnis. It was their immense support that kept me going.
IWK: Have you taken any professional training in singing?
RK: Not professionally. But I would say I'm extremely thankful to my mother–Mrs. Anjali Kirtane–who herself is a very good singer. She used to practice sincerely and I just used to listen to her melodies. That probably gave me a rough understanding of what singing and music is.
I definitely want to pursue some more training in music and its technicalities, which I plan to start pretty soon.
IWK: How do you carry on with your passion, considering New Zealand has a small industry to showcase one’s talent?
RK: Actually, I would say, if you sincerely want to do something and you put your heart into it, you should never bother about where you are and what the situations are like. You should just focus on your aim, keep going and always keep rocking.
IWK: Tell us about the performances you have given so far?
RK: I have given lot of performances till date and I'm sure of a lot more to come. As I mentioned, my performances started in front of my family friends in parties. My on-stage and live performances started when I joined the band in Pune, and that gave me the best learning of being a true performer on stage with the complete freedom.
After winning the singing competition in Auckland, it was actually hard to stop me as opportunities kept arriving and I kept grabbing them. I am lined up for a couple of shows this month and also hoping to have more and more in the coming months.
IWK: What are your future plans?
RK: My future plans are simple. I just want to sing, wherever it may be. I want to rock the stage and be a rock star. I have one dream that I always wish to become a reality one day and which actually never lets me sleep, is that I want to meet Arijit Singh (renowned Bollywood singer), and once, want to sing with him on stage!
IWK: How does it feel to make the community feel proud of you?
RK: It feels amazing! I am waiting for that moment when everybody will be extremely proud of me, when I will do my own shows and there will be a huge audience to sing along with me.
IWK: Anything else you would like to say to our readers?
RK: If you have talent, it can never be hidden. It will come out some or the other way. I will definitely see all of you in a show and promise to give a performance that you all are looking for. Till then, keep on rocking!