Ever since the Romantic movement, people have attributed artistic inspiration to always arriving from nature. Something that is calm and serene and allows people to churn their thoughts out into different art forms.
But what if the muse resides not in the rustling leaves but in the rhythmic pulse of the city? What if the canvas isn’t a sunny meadow but the raw energy of steel and glass? This is the world of Mayank Kapadia, a musician who found his voice not in the tranquillity of nature but in the bustle of Surat, an Indian metropolis.
Music as a way of life
Mayank was introduced to music at a very young age. For him, it was never a hobby but rather a way of life. He found solace in the strings of his guitar. He explains it: "Since childhood, I've been drawn to playing instruments. It all began at the age of 8 when my father introduced me to music. I started with the harmonium, then progressed to the violin, and eventually found my passion in playing the guitar.”
But what truly sets Mayank apart is his deep-rooted connection to classical Indian music, particularly the rich tradition of Gujarati Sugam Sangeet. “Indian classical has always been the base,” says Mayank on his journey to becoming a musical artist. Today, he holds proficiency in playing different genres like rock, pop, blues, and sometimes even ghazals and Sufi.
Journey from instrument to vocals
Mayank might have been an instrumentalist, to begin with, but it took him some time to realize that he also possessed the gift of vocals. Talking about venturing into singing, he says, “For a very long time in my life, it was always instrument in the front. But of course, after learning music for a long time, you automatically start singing along.”
This newfound passion for vocal expression opened up a world of possibilities for Mayank, allowing him to explore new avenues of creativity and self-expression. Today, he seamlessly transitions between playing the guitar and singing, effortlessly blending his instrumental prowess with his soulful vocals.
Despite all the worldly knowledge, things don’t always go as planned. Mayank learned this lesson the hard way when he first took his music to the stage in college. He reminisces, saying, “For the first time on stage, it was a nightmare because the crowd couldn’t understand what we were playing, and we ended up playing Garba.” It was a learning experience for him and his pals, following which they spent the next year or so honing their skills to understand how to present themselves on stage.
Thoughts on personal music
These early failures were not enough to stop Mayank from achieving his dreams. Today, he is a proficient singer, popular for his fusion songs, and sometimes even performs a varied genre of songs ranging from Bollywood Classics to English ones like Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Paul Simon.
For him, “Every song has a different story, so I like to perform all kinds of different songs.” This is a very fresh take on how one can perceive music. People who like one kind of music often find themselves averted to another. That doesn’t always have to be the case. “I have been open to music of different kinds and appreciate them rather than judging them,” he adds.
Still, Mayank has a stronghold in Gujarati Sugam Sangeet and Bollywood music, which he loves to perform the most. These two genres have been a part of his musical journey since the beginning, some 35 years ago. Hence, he often finds comfort in returning to his roots.
A Bright Future
His dedication and passion for music have propelled him forward, driving him to pursue his long-term goals as a musician and vocalist. “I want to have my music center where I can invite artists to play and perform from everywhere, to spread more music in the city and across,” he shares.
As Mayank continues to carve out his unique niche in the world of music, he remains grounded in his roots, drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of Indian music. “I don’t compare myself with others,” he asserts. “Everyone has their perspective and perception of art to understand and perform. I respect all those who are doing music. We all are different and unique for art.”
Indeed, Mayank Kapadia’s musical journey is a perfect example of the power of music and the enduring legacy of cultural heritage. His instrumental journey and the influence of classical music, particularly Gujarati Sugam Sangeet, vividly describe the artist and his passion.
Through his fusion of classical Indian music with contemporary influences, he has created a sound that is uniquely his own, resonating with audiences far and wide. As he continues to inspire and uplift with his soul-stirring melodies, Mayank remains a shining example of the harmonizing force of music in our lives.
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