Thankfully my parents dreamed differently, they earned to erase our financial troubles and so I could live life in peace.

Coming to music, the only thing where we come close to that word is during the cultural festival. Who would have known they had an Orchestra Nite and audition, I did. That was the first time I got appreciated by someone other than my mom and it felt good. Needless to say I was selected to sing along with a group of great singers. Thus I got the opportunity for my first ever stage performance. My first song  Om Shanti Om - Karz

My junior college life passed pretty as there was only 2 years to spend. In my family, studies take a higher priority than interests and hobbies and so I studied.....just studied. Naah I'm lying, one of my major impetus to go college was to finally get a glimpse of some beauties, I mean college beauties and I should tell you I wasn't disappointed. I think I got a fair deal for the amount of money I paid for that shit-hole, so I didn't feel cheated at the end of it all.
But I never sang in those two years, though I had the opportunity. I should say stage-fright got the better of me. The only thing worth mentioning during those two years was, it was the first time I asked a girl out.....only to be rejected downright. So all in all those 2 years were not too productive except for the fact that a guy who studied in a different class and whom I didn't know then would later turn out to be my best buddy for life.

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another,
'What! You too? I thought I was the only one."
And that's what exactly happened two years later...................

My mother on finding out my inclination towards music, immediately wanted me to go vocal coaching, I being a stubborn ass refused as usual. But she was determined and I knew she wouldn't let this go that easy. Believe it or not at that time I did not like singing in front of people, ya I know it sounds stupid. Now when I come to think of it, it was stupid and because of that stupidity and to get my mother of my back, I volunteered to join for 'Tabla' coaching.

I joined when I was in the 4th grade and continued to learn for 5 years.
As we say all good things come to an end, this too did, why.....because I got bored and I quit.

A major part of my childhood I spent living with my maternal grandparents and my two uncles.
That's where my relation with music began. It began in the unlikeliest of places, yes, the BATHROOM. My uncles were about 20-21 years old at that time and were excellent singers. They would start singing the moment they entered the bathroom and wont come out until 1 or 2 songs are over. I was amazed at how well they could sing inspite of not having any vocal training, I bet they could beat a lot of singers of their youth life with their talent.
The thing which struck me most was that they could remember the entire lyrics of songs and sometimes their cover version would seem much better than the original.
They are my no.1 inspiration for singing. I just emulated them, tried to sing like them, in the bathroom.
I discovered, rather my mother discovered that I was good. Thus the journey began...................