BIRMIGHAM – Malaysian singer Kamal Chopra, 55, won the Best International Artist at the UK Bhangra Awards 2019, held in Birmingham, United Kingdom

Malaysian singer Kamal Chopra, 55, won the Best International Artist at the UK Bhangra Awards 2019, held in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The Penangite was chosen by a panel of judges based on work done, performances and endorsements of the Punjabi culture over the course of a year. From the six nominees, the winner was determined by public vote via email and SMS.

Apart from Malaysia, singers from United States of America, Canada, Sweden, India and the United Arab Emirates were also nominated. Kamal, however, was the only one who was invited to perform at the Regency Banqueting Suite, Birmingham where she sang two Bhangra songs.

The UK Bhangra Awards has been the largest and most prestigious annual Bhangra event in the United Kingdom since 2014 and is aimed at promoting Punjabi culture and unity.

“I think the reason I was chosen to win this award is because of my continuous efforts in promoting and improving the quality of music and entertainment, especially for the Punjabi community,” Kamal revealed.

Kamal has trained under the UK’s Rockschool International Music and Performance Arts in vocal performance, said she is currently working on an album of her original songs that will be released early next year.

Kamal is a trained lawyer, but she gave up the profession a decade ago, to focus on her family. As the years went by, her husband began encouraging her to pursue her passion of singing.

She said her inspiration is her husband, Dr Sunil Chopra, 56. Her three children also continuously inspire her, with her youngest, Vishal Chopra even working on a few original songs for her upcoming album.