Published By: Sayan Paul

Birthday Spotlight: Mika Singh Used to Perform Kirtans in Early Life - Did You Know?

Imagine Mika Singh with a khol in hand, belting out “Hare Krishna” instead of “Dhinka Chika”—no, this isn’t a parallel universe, it’s his actual past!

Every now and then, a video of a young Arijit Singh—deep in his classical music training—resurfaces on social media and goes viral. It’s always fascinating to see how singers evolve from riyaz, tanpura, and ragas to chart-topping Bollywood hits. And honestly, that classical-to-commercial journey is pretty common. Classical music, after all, is often the foundation on which versatile voices are built. But then... there’s Mika Singh, who didn’t just take the road less traveled—he probably moonwalked down it with sunglasses on and a dhol on his shoulder. Known for high-energy bangers like “Bas Ek King,” “Mauja Hi Mauja,” “Dhinka Chika,” and “Chinta Ta Chita,” Mika’s music isn’t here to stir your soul—it’s here to make you dance like no one’s watching. He is the ultimate party-starter, the human equivalent of an energy drink. So, imagine our surprise when we dig into his past and find young Mika—not with a mic and beats—but with khol and kartal, sitting cross-legged, singing kirtans, and chanting God’s name.

As the high-octane hit machine turns 48 today, let’s rewind the tape and meet a version of Mika Singh that feels straight out of a bhajan mandali.

Mika Singh’s Kirtan Days

Born Amrik Singh on June 10, 1977, in Durgapur, West Bengal, Mika grew up in a deeply musical household. His father, Ajmer Singh Chandan, was a trained classical musician and a ragi who performed kirtans at Patna Sahib Gurdwara. Mika, the youngest of six brothers—including bhangra legend Daler Mehndi—was immersed in devotional music from a young age.

Notably, the celebrated rapper has time and again spoken about his father's influence on his music. In an interview with India Times, he said, "My father was a farmer, who used to do kirtan in a gurudwara. He was a trained classical singer. He lived in the farmhouse bought by Dalerji. Can you imagine I could have gifted him four Mercedes if he wanted, but even though he was the father of Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh, he would go around on a cycle in Delhi."

(Credit: King Mika Singh)

From Hymns to Hip-Hop: The Rap Revolution

So, how does a kirtan kid become Bollywood’s rap sensation? Mika’s transition was a mix of grit, hustle, and a knack for reinvention. Growing up, he was steeped in traditional Punjabi and folk music, but his heart craved something modern, something pop.

By eight, Mika was playing the tabla; by twelve, the harmonium; and by fourteen, the guitar. Besides performing kirtans, he performed bhangra and Western music at several places in his locality. “I wanted to create a sound that was mine,” Mika once shared in an interview, hinting at his ambition to break free from his brother Daler’s bhangra shadow. However, facing rejections due to his unconventional voice, he decided to take matters into his own hands. In 1998, at just 21, he released his debut album 'Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag', which became an instant hit. The title track’s infectious energy made him an overnight star, blending Punjabi flair with pop beats.

(Credit: kiNg Mika SiNgh Fc)

Mika’s shift to rap and bhangra was a move to fuse traditional rhythms with Bollywood’s modern pulse. Collaborations with artists like Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah fueled his evolution. His Bollywood breakthrough came with "Mauja Hi Mauja" from 'Jab We Met', cementing his status as the king of party anthems. “I wanted to make people dance, not just listen,” he said, and boy, did he deliver!

(Credit: T-Series)

From kirtan stages to sold-out concerts, Mika’s journey is a story of resilience and reinvention.