Striking a musical note
This talented singer has carved a niche for herself in the Kiwi-Indian music landscape. After humble beginnings, she aspires for greater heights with strong determination and constant efforts
IWK: Tell us about yourself.
Guncha: I was born in Lucknow and raised in New Zealand. We moved here when I was about 13 or 14 years old, with my parents and sister. We initially lived in Wellington where I completed my secondary education at the Wellington East Girls’ College. I have studied Bachelor of Science majoring in Food Science at University of Auckland. Currently I am working as a Quality Assurance Technician at Nestle NZ Ltd based in Manukau.
I love singing, travelling, dancing, playing pool and badminton. I also love dining out. Every weekend you will find me at a restaurant mostly having Lamb Shanks or Thai. I also enjoy watching movies especially the horror ones.
IWK: How and when did your musical journey start?
Guncha: Music has always been a part of our family. My Dad is a great singer and has had few years of Hindustani Classical training back in the 1970s. He has also won a few prizes in the past at singing competitions. My Mum and sister sing too but Dad had the most impact on me. I guess I have inherited the musical gene from my Dad.
My singing journey began in 2010 in Auckland when I saw the advertisement on Triangle TV about a singing competition–Kaun Banega Superstar. I was very excited and nervous but wanted to give it a go. My family also supported and encouraged me to go ahead.
IWK: Have you had any professional training in music?
Guncha: Since my singing journey began, my Dad has always been one of my critics. He is always there in the background providing me support and honest criticism. In regards to my professional training, I am learning Hindustani Classical from Sandhya Rao Ji from Swar Sadhana Academy since 2012. Learning classical is giving my voice much more than what I was capable of when I started my musical journey.
IWK: What kind of music is your personal favourite? And who is your favourite singer?
Guncha: Anything that sounds good to my ears in terms of voice quality, music, lyrics is what I like. However, since I have started learning classical I am falling in love with the beautiful Bollywood melodies from the past such as songs of Mohd Rafi, Lata Mangheshkar, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle and Mukesh Ji. I also enjoy the new songs by Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam, Palak Mucchal and many more.
It is very hard to say who my favourite Singer is. I have more than one. I really like Shreya Ghoshal for her soothing and melodious voice, Sunidhi Chauhan for her powerful throw, Arijit Singh for his soulful singing and Lata Mangheshkar for all of the above plus much more. I believe we learn a style of singing from every Singer. Because I am learning classical, I have been focussing on Lata Mangheshkar songs. Listening and attempting Lata Ji’s songs is a training for your voice itself.
IWK: Tell us about your performances till date.
Guncha: I have performed at various shows. I participated in NCBT Kaun Banega Superstar in 2010 and 2011. I also participated in Radio Tarana Idol where I was awarded the 1st Runner Up award. I took part in AA Promotions Humko Bhi Banna Hai Idol that was held in Logan Campbell Centre where I won the second prize.
I have been a part of a Charity show called Ek Shaam Aap Ke Naam. I was part of Old is Gold concert in 2013 and 2015. I also performed at ‘Khamoshiyaan Gun Guna Ne Lagi – A Tribute to Lata Mangheshkar Part 1’ in 2014 and recently on 12th September 2015. I also performed at ‘Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana – Tribute to Shankar Jai Kishan’ held in May 2015.
I was also a part of a band called ‘Krazzy Tunes’ as the lead female singer. I had an opportunity to perform for Apna Television Awards Night in 2015 with rest of the band members. We also did a couple of shows in Auckland and Christchurch. I am looking forward to performing at a few more shows in 2016.
IWK: What do you love the most about performing live?
Guncha: I love the atmosphere, energy and excitement while performing. It is such a great feeling to listen to your voice echoing in the auditorium with the orchestra playing in the background and all the eyes are on the performers. It makes me want to perform better and better each time.
IWK: How do you want to go further with your passion? What are your future plans?
Guncha: I want to keep learning classical and do more practice (riyaaz) to maintain my voice quality. I also want to carry on performing on stage with live band. Maybe one day, I will be performing in front of a bigger audience.
My future plans for now are to keep singing and do a lot of riyaaz. If I get to do professional recordings and playback singing for Bollywood, it would be a dream come true.
This talented singer has carved a niche for herself in the Kiwi-Indian music landscape. After humble beginnings, she aspires for greater heights with strong determination and constant efforts
IWK: Tell us about yourself.
Guncha: I was born in Lucknow and raised in New Zealand. We moved here...
This talented singer has carved a niche for herself in the Kiwi-Indian music landscape. After humble beginnings, she aspires for greater heights with strong determination and constant efforts
IWK: Tell us about yourself.
Guncha: I was born in Lucknow and raised in New Zealand. We moved here when I was about 13 or 14 years old, with my parents and sister. We initially lived in Wellington where I completed my secondary education at the Wellington East Girls’ College. I have studied Bachelor of Science majoring in Food Science at University of Auckland. Currently I am working as a Quality Assurance Technician at Nestle NZ Ltd based in Manukau.
I love singing, travelling, dancing, playing pool and badminton. I also love dining out. Every weekend you will find me at a restaurant mostly having Lamb Shanks or Thai. I also enjoy watching movies especially the horror ones.
IWK: How and when did your musical journey start?
Guncha: Music has always been a part of our family. My Dad is a great singer and has had few years of Hindustani Classical training back in the 1970s. He has also won a few prizes in the past at singing competitions. My Mum and sister sing too but Dad had the most impact on me. I guess I have inherited the musical gene from my Dad.
My singing journey began in 2010 in Auckland when I saw the advertisement on Triangle TV about a singing competition–Kaun Banega Superstar. I was very excited and nervous but wanted to give it a go. My family also supported and encouraged me to go ahead.
IWK: Have you had any professional training in music?
Guncha: Since my singing journey began, my Dad has always been one of my critics. He is always there in the background providing me support and honest criticism. In regards to my professional training, I am learning Hindustani Classical from Sandhya Rao Ji from Swar Sadhana Academy since 2012. Learning classical is giving my voice much more than what I was capable of when I started my musical journey.
IWK: What kind of music is your personal favourite? And who is your favourite singer?
Guncha: Anything that sounds good to my ears in terms of voice quality, music, lyrics is what I like. However, since I have started learning classical I am falling in love with the beautiful Bollywood melodies from the past such as songs of Mohd Rafi, Lata Mangheshkar, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle and Mukesh Ji. I also enjoy the new songs by Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam, Palak Mucchal and many more.
It is very hard to say who my favourite Singer is. I have more than one. I really like Shreya Ghoshal for her soothing and melodious voice, Sunidhi Chauhan for her powerful throw, Arijit Singh for his soulful singing and Lata Mangheshkar for all of the above plus much more. I believe we learn a style of singing from every Singer. Because I am learning classical, I have been focussing on Lata Mangheshkar songs. Listening and attempting Lata Ji’s songs is a training for your voice itself.
IWK: Tell us about your performances till date.
Guncha: I have performed at various shows. I participated in NCBT Kaun Banega Superstar in 2010 and 2011. I also participated in Radio Tarana Idol where I was awarded the 1st Runner Up award. I took part in AA Promotions Humko Bhi Banna Hai Idol that was held in Logan Campbell Centre where I won the second prize.
I have been a part of a Charity show called Ek Shaam Aap Ke Naam. I was part of Old is Gold concert in 2013 and 2015. I also performed at ‘Khamoshiyaan Gun Guna Ne Lagi – A Tribute to Lata Mangheshkar Part 1’ in 2014 and recently on 12th September 2015. I also performed at ‘Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana – Tribute to Shankar Jai Kishan’ held in May 2015.
I was also a part of a band called ‘Krazzy Tunes’ as the lead female singer. I had an opportunity to perform for Apna Television Awards Night in 2015 with rest of the band members. We also did a couple of shows in Auckland and Christchurch. I am looking forward to performing at a few more shows in 2016.
IWK: What do you love the most about performing live?
Guncha: I love the atmosphere, energy and excitement while performing. It is such a great feeling to listen to your voice echoing in the auditorium with the orchestra playing in the background and all the eyes are on the performers. It makes me want to perform better and better each time.
IWK: How do you want to go further with your passion? What are your future plans?
Guncha: I want to keep learning classical and do more practice (riyaaz) to maintain my voice quality. I also want to carry on performing on stage with live band. Maybe one day, I will be performing in front of a bigger audience.
My future plans for now are to keep singing and do a lot of riyaaz. If I get to do professional recordings and playback singing for Bollywood, it would be a dream come true.
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