The audience is your best guru: Lakshay Kapoor

Singer Lakshay Kapoor has been singing a lot of film and non-film songs. While his Bollywood tracks are yet to release, his singles Galiyon Mein and Kahin Nai Jaana have been lauded by music aficionados. Interestingly, the entrepreneur-turned-musician isn’t a trained singer. He considers his skill a gift and he ensures that he hones it every day.

“I’ve never been into formal riyaaz. I’ve never really trained in music. I have a good ear and I’ve inherited that from my mom. I spend close to one hour recording every day and I keep singing during that time. That’s riyaaz for me. I’ve learnt music by listening to various kinds of music, including qawwalis, old film songs and more. I fortunately have an understand of sur and that has helped me all the way,” says Lakshay.

He adds that he never learnt from one person because he wanted to retain his authenticity. “I believe that when you train only under one guru, you gradually start sounding like them or you pick up their style. I didn’t want to limit myself in that sense. However, I have an inclination towards light classical music and I would like to train in that under many learned musicians,” says Lakshay, as he adds, “I also feel the audience is your best guru. If they like your work, that means you’re on the right track. And if they don’t, it teaches or inspires you to work harder.”