Tochi Raina

Biography

Tochi Raina (born 2 September 1971) is an Indian singer, composer and philosopher, best known as a playback singer in Hindi films. His most notable works include the songs "Kabira" from the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, "Iktara" from Wake Up Sid, "Ishq Waale Chor Hain" for the film Kya Yahi Sach Hai with Vishal Khurana, "Saibo", a duet with Shreya Ghoshal, for the film Shor in the City, "Maldar Ki Jeb" for the film Bhindi Bazaar and "Aali Re" for the film No One Killed Jessica. He recorded an EP, Tochinaamah, consisting of 3 songs, "Saaiyaan", "Jamoora" and "Akela".

Early life

He was born in a Kashmiri Sikh family to Sahib and Surjit Kumar Raina in Darbhanga, Bihar and went to school in Nepal where his father, a government employee, was posted.
He hails from a family with music background. His father played the harmonium, his grandmother was a Sitar player, his uncle, Ratan Singh, a renowned Violin player and his grandfather, Akaali Kaur Singh, a saint. He later moved to Delhi where he started learning music under Pandit Vinod Kumar, a disciple of Indian classical singer Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. He also learnt music from Ustad Bhure Khan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Altaf Hussain Sarang, Pt. Mani Prasad and Pt. Sitaram. According to him, his Gurus not only taught him music, but also to visualize his breath. Slowly, he started visualizing words and he turned to spirituality and Sufi music.

Career

He moved to Mumbai to make a career as a music composer & playback singer. Tochi got his first commercial break with "Bulle Shah" in A Wednesday! in 2008. He has contributed to various film soundtracks and albums as a music composer including Bezubaan Ishq, Note Pe Chot and a lot more. He is currently working with his Band of Bandagi and creating soulful Sufi music with the band. Band of Bandagi released their first album Sufi Acoustica with 6 Sufi Songs in it. Tochi also joined hands with Music Distribution Company Movement Creations LLP as the Head of the Department for music since March 2021. In 2021, four of his singles has been released so far including "Gayatri Mantra" (Raag Malkauns), "Alakh Niranjan", "Hare Krishna", "Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo".
He also sang the song "Rabba" in the third season of Coke Studio, composed by Amit Trivedi, and the song "Bannado" in the fourth season of Coke Studio which was composed and arranged by Sachin-Jigar and the lyrics were written by Priya Sariya.

Personal life

He is married and has two daughters, Harleen & Simran. Harleen was born the night he finished recording for Shor in the City.