Om Prakash of Bathinda sings Sufi songs with needle between his lips!

Bathinda, March 15 (ANI): Om Prakash Deepak of Bathinda has made a name for himself by singing Sufi songs here. His listeners are particularly awestruck by the fact that he sings keeping a three-inch needle standing vertically between his lips!

His unique style has made him popular here.

Already having registered his name with the Limca Book of World Records, Om Prakash is hopeful about his chances of making it to the Gunnies Book of World Records.

He says he can sing in five different languages.

He narrates that his family has been into singing for over nine generations and as his ancestors at that time used to sing the "Raag Deepak", a tough raga of Hindustani classical music. It is widely believed that singing the Raag Deepak can light oil lamps.

"As nine generations ago, our ancestors practiced 'Deepak Raga' and the word Deepak became our surname. We are descendants of 'Chanda Virdai Gharana' who was the royal singer at erstwhile King Prithviraj Chauhan's court. My master Tekchandji Chuarana, who belongs to Rohtak, taught me the technique of singing with a thread and a needle in the mouth. And, I have gained popularity for this. I wish to see my name in the Guinness Book of World Records and make my master proud. I want my songs and compositions to be used in films too," says Om Prakash.

He describes Sufi renditions being very simple and a dedication to God.

"I have been singing Sufi songs ever since I was a child. I have sung with famous Qawwals (Sufi singers) in Mumbai like Yusuf Azad Kawwal, Ismail Azad Kawwal, Arnazir Kawwal. I have also done Shayari (poetry), sung hymns and classical songs. I don't like western culture. As our music culture appears to be fading. I just urge my friends and others to keep it alive and sing simple and good music." By Avtar Gill (ANI)