Dr Vikram is a specialist in various genres of music too

LUDHIANA: It's a general notion that singers sing best in a particular genre but 33-year-old Dr Vikram Bhatia of Sector 32, Chandigarh road, defies this belief and sings equally good in different genres including Sufi, classical and filmy.
Says, Vikram, ''I started singing when I was in Class V. In 1991, when I was in Class VIII, I won the best singer award in Muhammad Rafi night organized by Rana Dramatic Club.After Class XII, I joined DMCH in 1997, and continued to perform in various cultural function of the institution. I have also performed in PGI and AIIMS during their pulse programme.''
He adds, ''Besides participating in the college functions and other major medical institutions of India, I also performed in Rafi Award and Kishore Award in Ludhiana. The high time in my singing career came in 2007 when I won the first prize in Antakhshri organized by Ashim Nagpal and hosted by Anu Kapoor and Durga Jasraj of Zee TV Antakshri fame. Later, I got an opportunity to perform in Colgate Max Fresh Antakshri in the same year. Recently, my performance in a private function organized at Sutlej Club was appreciated by many music lovers.''
Vikram said, ''My motivation to sing came from my father Jagannath. He has been my guide and idol, both.''
Talking about his favourate singers, he said, ''My favourate among renowned singers are Muhammad Rafi, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mukesh, Asha Bosle and Lata Mangeshkar, but my favourite is Kishore Kumar.'' ''I love Sufi music and my favourite songs are ''Dulhe Ka Sehra Suhana Lagta Hai'', ''Ni Ta Khair Manga Soniya'', ''Preet Ki Lat Mohe Aisi Laagi''. My favourite classical songs include ''Laaga Chunri Main Daaj'', ''Madhuban Main Radhika''. Among filmy songs, I like ''O Hansini'' and ''Humain Tumse Pyar Kitna'','' he said.
A music lover in city, Radhika Jaitwani, said, ''Vikram is one of the best singers I have heard in a long time. He needs to be appreciated for his talent.''