India has lately been witnessing a resurgence of Gorkha youths. The phenomenon has been such that the nation has had to rethink her stereotypical view of Gorkhas. The process itself started decades ago but was only brought to fore in 2007 when Prashant Tamang became the first Gorkha to be declared an Indian Idol. Today, the list is growing by the day with Gorkha Heroes and Heroines taking centre stage in almost every field. One such hero to take the national stage by storm and win over the heart and soul of millions of countrymen is Kapil Thapa. A humble soldier attached with the famed Gorkha Rifles, Kapil Thapa has already reached the Top 6 of ‘Indian Idol 4′ competition. In an exclusive interview with Barun Roy, he traces his experience in Indian Idol and talks about the life before and after it.
Q. When and where were you born?
Kapil Thapa: I was born on the 22nd of August 1983 in Kolkata. My father’s battalion was stationed there. However, I originally belong to Dehradun and my family is from Nayagaon.
Q. You are a soldier by profession. What lead to your interest in wanting to audition for the Indian Idol Competition?
Kapil Thapa: During 2006-2007, I was stationed in Sikkim. This was the year when Prashant Tamang was competing in the Indian Idol. His rise in the competition from one of the most criticized competitor to the winner of the competition was a great inspiration for me. In 2007, I participated in the Army Band Competition in Gangtok and was adjudged the best singer. This further boosted my morale. I went on to perform at Kalimpong Mela Ground in the same year. I was adjudged the best singer again. This made me seriously think about competing in the Indian Idol. And hence, when we were transferred from Sikkim to Bengdubi in North Bengal, I took a leave and went to Delhi to audition for the competition. However, the Delhi audition had already taken place, when I reached there. I did not give up hope and sought to audition from another city. Finally, I got a chance to audition from Jaipur. The Jaipur audition was cancelled due to the Gujjar Agitation and once again I was left in a dilemma. By God’s grace new date for Jaipur audition was soon announced and I reached there in time. I was selected and have thus far reached the Top 6.
Q. You are from a family of soldiers. You must have been raised in a very strict and a disciplined environment. Was music a part of your life?
Kapil Thapa: (Laughs) it is true that I come from a family of soldiers. My father served in the army. Now my two elder brothers and I serve in the army. We were all raised in a strict and a disciplined environment. However, both my mother and my father are great lovers of music. My mother is a good singer and my father is a good singer and dancer….
Q. (Interrupting). So you also dance?
Kapil Thapa: (Laughs) yes, I do. I share my interest of dancing and singing with my father and brothers. My father and my mother were the one’s who inculcated in me the seeds of music and dance.
Q. Do your brothers join you in dance and music?
Kapil Thapa: No very often but yes in the festivals such as ‘Dushera’ we celebrate in song and dance. My elder brothers are both married and hence the two sister-in-laws and my nephew makes the celebration a fantastic occasion.
Q. (Interrupting) That reminds me of mine ‘Dushera’ celebrations too. I guess it is the same every Gorkha house hold in the nation.
Kapil Thapa: Yes, yes!
Q. Did you ever taken any professional training in music?
Kapil Thapa: No. I have never taken any professional training in music.
Q. How has things changed for you and people around you now that you are known to everyone in the nation?
Kapil Thapa: Nothing much has changed for me personally. However, the way people treat me has changed. I guess people now take things patiently whenever they have to deal with me. People listen to me silently when I am speaking (laughs softly). I guess that is good that people take you serious. However, I feel bit sad that now my friends who were close to me kind of talks to me differently (Sighs). I tell them that I am the same person and even if I become the Indian Idol, I would be the same person. I would like to spend time with my family and my friends in the same manner as I did earlier.
Q. (Interrupting): But is that possible, now?
Kapil Thapa: I guess not. People know me and whenever I am out somewhere they approach me and show me their love and appreciation. But then again that is something we all do dream of. I like it and yet despite that I want everyone close to me to approach me and feel comfortable with me.
Q. How has your experience been competing in the Indian Idol?
Kapil Thapa: It is fantastic out here. I have learnt to so much and seen so much. In the Army, I would sing and dance but here there is completely another meaning to singing and dancing. There is some much to a song and to the music that goes with it. I guess, I have grown up every step of the way. I have also learnt quite a bit of acting as we have to do commercials and so on. Indian Idol has already given me so much. Though there is so much to learn, I have become more professional and more confident.
Q. How has your experience been sharing the platform with the other competitors?
Kapil Thapa: We only compete when we are singing. However, beyond that we are like family members. Each and every one of them is fantastic performers and fantastic people. I have grown very fond of them.
Q. Who do you think is the toughest Judge?
Kapil Thapa: Javed Akhtar is by far the toughest judge in the judging panel. He is the eldest, most experienced and highly respected individual. And since he is a writer and a lyricist, we take every thing he says very seriously. Anu Malick is the friendliest of the judges. He is very good humoured. Kalish Kher, meanwhile, is very groovy and mingles with us and helps us out with our problems.
Q. During the Top 2, the contestants are sent back home. If you reach the Top 2, how excited will you be returning back home?
Kapil Thapa: (Sighs!) I hope that I reach the Top 2. I do imagine and dream though as to how it would be like. People would be gathered everywhere to welcome me. It would be fantastic and I guess I would be very excited to see my parents, my bothers and sisters-in-law and my friends.
Q. A great deal of Gorkhas in India and Nepal have been keenly observing your success and voting for you. Will you be able to rerun Prashant Tamang’s success?
Kapil Thapa: Until the day I reached the Top 8 I had no idea that so many people, Gorkhas and Non Gorkhas alike, were supporting and voting for me. I do not know whether I would be able to rerun Prashant’s success, but I have been working hard to sing well and get good reviews from the Judges. Ultimately, it is for the voters to choose. Of course, on my part, I thank everyone out there who have supported me and voted for me from the bottom of my heart. Without their love and support I would not have reached here. I promise them that I will not let them down. I will give my 100 per cent. I hope that every Gorkha out there and every Indian is proud of me.
Barun Roy: Thank you, Kapil. Your humility, dedication and determination is something that we all should learn to inculcate in ourself. You have already won the hearts of millions of people and made place in Gorkha History. I wish you all the best.