<p>Singer Ram Nagaraj has been obsessed with music since his childhood. Though he is best known for his ghazals, he says that he is comfortable singing any genre. </p>.<p>It was when he turned 25 that he started pursuing music as a career. He then moved to Mumbai and spent five years learning under Ustad Aslam Khan. </p>.<p>In the mid-1990s era, owing to a gradual decline in the ghazal wave, Ram began to sing Bollywood retro songs and classics, eventually mastering these genres.</p>.<p>The singer, now 63, says that he stopped singing for a living four years ago. “Now I sing to find meaning and purpose and to keep the melody alive,” he says.</p>.<p><strong>Music</strong></p>.<p><em>The Beatles</em></p>.<p>Apart from Indian favourites, I listen to international jazz and country music. But I’d say my all-time favourite is ‘The Beatles’. I also love Cat Stevens and Simon and Garfunkel and can listen to them for hours on end. </p>.<p><strong>Food</strong></p>.<p><em>Burmese Khao Suey</em></p>.<p>I love traditional fare for breakfast — idli, dosa and upma are some of my go-to dishes. Although it doesn’t show, I eat quite a lot. I love trying new cuisines. My favourite so far has been Vietnamese cuisine. In terms of dishes, I’m a big fan of Burmese Khao Suey.</p>.<p><strong>Actor</strong></p>.<p><em>Guru Dutt</em></p>.<p>I’m a big fan of old black and white classics. I’ve watched every Guru Dutt film. Other favourites include Shakti Samanta, Subhash Ghai and Mahesh Bhatt. In terms of genres, I used to gravitate towards musicals but now I prefer suspense thrillers and films with a social message.</p>.<p><br /><strong>Inspiration</strong></p>.<p><em>K L Saigal</em></p>.<p>While I have my own sound, I’ve been inspired by the likes of KL Saigal, Mehdi Hassan, Jagjit Singh, Kishore Kumar and Roop Singh Rathore. I admire them as they pay close attention to the melody and poetry in their works.</p>.<p><strong>Destination</strong></p>.<p><em>Goa</em></p>.<p>Although I can’t swim, I like beach destinations. Every year I make it a point to visit Goa; it’s one place I can’t get enough of. Mauritius is another favourite. Although it’s not much of a tourist destination, I also love travelling to Mumbai as I find the city full of energy.</p>.<p>I haven’t been lucky enough to travel extensively outside of India, but I’d love to explore Europe one day.</p>
<p>Singer Ram Nagaraj has been obsessed with music since his childhood. Though he is best known for his ghazals, he says that he is comfortable singing any genre. </p>.<p>It was when he turned 25 that he started pursuing music as a career. He then moved to Mumbai and spent five years learning under Ustad Aslam Khan. </p>.<p>In the mid-1990s era, owing to a gradual decline in the ghazal wave, Ram began to sing Bollywood retro songs and classics, eventually mastering these genres.</p>.<p>The singer, now 63, says that he stopped singing for a living four years ago. “Now I sing to find meaning and purpose and to keep the melody alive,” he says.</p>.<p><strong>Music</strong></p>.<p><em>The Beatles</em></p>.<p>Apart from Indian favourites, I listen to international jazz and country music. But I’d say my all-time favourite is ‘The Beatles’. I also love Cat Stevens and Simon and Garfunkel and can listen to them for hours on end. </p>.<p><strong>Food</strong></p>.<p><em>Burmese Khao Suey</em></p>.<p>I love traditional fare for breakfast — idli, dosa and upma are some of my go-to dishes. Although it doesn’t show, I eat quite a lot. I love trying new cuisines. My favourite so far has been Vietnamese cuisine. In terms of dishes, I’m a big fan of Burmese Khao Suey.</p>.<p><strong>Actor</strong></p>.<p><em>Guru Dutt</em></p>.<p>I’m a big fan of old black and white classics. I’ve watched every Guru Dutt film. Other favourites include Shakti Samanta, Subhash Ghai and Mahesh Bhatt. In terms of genres, I used to gravitate towards musicals but now I prefer suspense thrillers and films with a social message.</p>.<p><br /><strong>Inspiration</strong></p>.<p><em>K L Saigal</em></p>.<p>While I have my own sound, I’ve been inspired by the likes of KL Saigal, Mehdi Hassan, Jagjit Singh, Kishore Kumar and Roop Singh Rathore. I admire them as they pay close attention to the melody and poetry in their works.</p>.<p><strong>Destination</strong></p>.<p><em>Goa</em></p>.<p>Although I can’t swim, I like beach destinations. Every year I make it a point to visit Goa; it’s one place I can’t get enough of. Mauritius is another favourite. Although it’s not much of a tourist destination, I also love travelling to Mumbai as I find the city full of energy.</p>.<p>I haven’t been lucky enough to travel extensively outside of India, but I’d love to explore Europe one day.</p>