Auckland-based singer Amrita Kaur is making waves with the worldwide release of ‘Purab Mubarak’–a soul-stirring rendition by renowned singers to celebrate the ‘Parkash Purab’ of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak.
The devotional song launched on November 23 features a stellar lineup of artists, including Daler Mehndi, Harshdeep Kaur, Bir Singh, Jasbir Jassi, Rajvir Jawanda, and G Khan and had already garnered more than half a million views on YouTube in just three days of its release.
With music by Manna Singh, lyrics and composition by Bir Singh, and a video starring Gurpreet Ghuggi, the song ‘Purab Mubarak’ is a harmonious blend of talent and tradition. The teachings and legacy of Guru Nanak are reflected in its lyrics.
In an exclusive interview, Amrita shared her recording experience, emphasising the global collaboration made possible by technology. "My part was recorded by my father, Yadvinder Singh, here in our studio in Auckland. It was a great experience working with music director, Manna Singh, who is based in India. Technology has enabled us to collaborate globally despite being located in different locations, which is amazing," Amrita says.
Reflecting on her collaboration with singing legends Harshdeep Kaur and Daler Mehndi, Amrita expressed gratitude, stating, "It is an honour to sing on a track with singers and musicians I admire so much, including Harshdeep Kaur, Daler Mehndi, and Bir Singh."
Born in the UK and with roots in Malaysia, Amrita moved to New Zealand at the age of seven years. Despite not having an immediate extended family in India, her family's regular visits and her father's strong connections forged during pilgrimage tours keep their Indian heritage vibrant.
"My ancestors moved to Malaysia a few generations back. We don't have direct relatives in India. But we go quite often because my dad has strong connections there," Amrita explained.
Amrita's father played a crucial role in shaping her musical journey. "I used to sing along with my dad, including at Kolmar Road gurdwara," she recalled fondly. This nurturing environment ignited her passion for music, leading her to learn classical Indian music under Professor Shuk Dev Madhur's guidance.
"My performance as part of my music school shows while growing up and singing at the gurdwara also provided good practice and exposure. I continue to learn and improve," Amrita shared.
She made headlines globally earlier this year after a video of her musical performance in Pakistan went viral on YouTube. For the reputed Virsa Heritage Revived series, she performed a music concert at Haveli Baroodkhana in Lahore.
Addressing the possibility of Hindi and Punjabi playback songs, Amrita replied, "Nothing finalised yet," leaving fans intrigued about what surprises she may have.
Balancing her artistic pursuits with a day job in the building industry, Amrita holds a Master's degree in architecture from University of Auckland. Her thesis explored the intriguing relationship between music and architecture.
Amrita teased about upcoming projects, saying, "We have a few devotional, ghazal, and fusion tracks we are working on. I am taking it a day at a time. However, we have been working on a few projects with local and international musicians and producers, which we look forward to sharing with you all soon. I truly appreciate the audience's support and love in my journey thus far."