Some of my fans tell me that my voice is more suited for romantic numbers, some others say I do Sufi songs better. But that just goes to say that people are more aware of the different genres now. More people are getting exposed to sufi music because of Bollywood, which is good.

Basically as someone who grew up in Delhi, crooning in southern languages which I don't understand is very difficult.

One of the interesting things about watching a kid perform is that they are too innocent to understand how talented they are… they have no inhibitions. If you ask them to sing, they will sing based on whatever training and practice they have.

I am fortunate that I was born in a family where music was already a part of life.

To be honest, I hadn't realised the greatness of film music till I was exposed to film songs after I started living in Mumbai.

Healthy competition is very important in any industry. It keeps you on your toes and helps you grow.

Everyone has their own individuality and it is important that it comes out.

One has to sing from the heart to let it touch the right chords. Unless you enjoy the song, your listener will not either.

Eventually, I began singing in various shows. It was then that I started appreciating the breadth and depth of Hindi film music.

As an artist, I do not want to limit my skills to one medium alone.

My father belongs to Muzaffarnagar. Though I was born and brought up in Delhi, we, as a family, are known as U.P. wallahas.

Your knowledge remains limited if you just listen to your songs but you grow as a singer when you listen to other singers' work - their style, accent and modulation. You end up absorbing new things.

When I was recording 'Kun-Faaya-Kun,' I did it like I was offering Namaaz.

As I grew older, I realised that I could be versatile. I decided to try out a variety of singing styles by becoming a playback singer.

Sufi music talks about connecting people. It talks about connecting hearts and connecting man with God. Everything that talks about connection is Sufi.

I have sung all kinds of songs - be it ghazals, qawwalis, romantic numbers or peppy numbers.

I am a very shy person.

Ghulam Ali Khan saab is my greatest inspiration.

I am not a known face and a lot of people wouldn't recognise me if I walked into a room. But that's okay with me. I want people to recognize me through my work.

I enjoy singing in different languages, be it Telugu or Bengali. I would like to sing in Malayalam too.

It's easier to record because technology is advanced. That's why there is a spurt in the number of new singers.

I love going to Jama Masjid and Daryaganj whenever I am in Delhi.

There was a time in the 1980s when music was almost over. If you think about it, it will be tough for you to remember any song which came during that time. But now music has come back. There are amazing musicians like Vishal-Shekhar, Amit Trivedi, Sneha Khanwalkar who are doing a good job.

If my singing leaves a long-lasting effect in the mind of the listeners, it is the blessing of the Almighty.