Naveen Kumar (musician)

Naveen Kumar is an Indian flautist who has accompanied many film music directors and composers on popular Bollywood tracks. Naveen has also directed music for Gospel recordings. He is known for playing flute in Bombay themes and Kal Ho na Ho

P.M.K. Naveen Kumar
Birth name	P.M.K. Naveen Kumar
Genres	Bollywood, Instrumental
Occupation	Composer
Instrument	Flute
Years active	1983–present
Labels	Folktronic (Sony Music Independent)
Website	www.naveenflute.com

Musical career

Naveen has played for leading Indian film music composers such as A.R. Rahman, Ilayaraja, Pritam, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Sajid–Wajid and Salim–Sulaiman. He has performed with musicians such as Sivamani, Louiz Banks, Mandolin Srinivas, and John McLaughlin. Eventually, Naveen moved to Mumbai to work with other composers in India. He has featured vocals in film songs by M.M. Keeravani and Deva, among others. Songs include "Kaadhal Sadugudu" in Mani Ratnam's Alaipaayuthey, and "Salam Gulamu" in Deva's Hello.

He created his own flute, which he calls the "Naveen Flute".^[1] This flute features flute tone and the vibration of strings (through the placement of a string on the side of the flute).^[2]

Naveen has received great attention for the instrumental orchestral piece, "Bombay Theme",^[3] which AR Rahman composed and arranged for the film Bombay in 1995. Other popular songs that feature his flute interludes are Zara Zara (Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein) and the Kal Ho Na Ho title track. He also performed with A.R. Rahman and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Southbank Centre in London on 7 April 2010.^{[citation needed]}

Private albums

Year	Album	Record Label
2015	Silence Is Bliss	Sony Music
2013	Flutetronics	Sony Music
2011	Melodies of Love	Sony Music
2010	Café Fluid[4][5]	Sony Music
2009	Celebration 2010 (with Jyothi Kumar)	P.M.K. Naveen Kumar
2006	Fluid	Sony Music
2006	Never Say Goodbye	Sony Music

Films

• Dil Bechara (2020)
• Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006)
• Raavan (2010)
• Jab We Met (2007)
• Kisna (2005)
• Dhoom (2004)
• Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
• Warriors of Heaven and Earth (2003)
• Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein (2001)
• Taal (1999)
• Dil Se.. (1998)^[6]
• Bombay (1995)
• Roja (1992).

References

1. "Naveen Kumar invents new melodies". Hindustan Times. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
2. Ramanujam, Srinivasa. "Naveen Kumar's Musical Expression", The Times of India, 21 October 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
3. "Flautist Naveen Kumar Performing Bombay Theme", YouTube.com, 20 February 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
4. Kohli, Harshita (28 January 2013). "Naveen Kumar and His Magic Flute". Planet Radiocity, Planetradiocity.com. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
5. "Rahman's flautist Navin Kumar launches album". radioandmusic.com. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
6. "Jiya Jale Flute Rendition by Naveen Kumar", Youtube.com, May 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2012.