The celebrated singer from Mysuru reflects on faith, music, and life after COVID, nurturing young talent, and his dreams of becoming a music director.
The prolific Indian playback singer Vijay Prakash was in full bloom as he interacted with a select group of media representatives at MMB Legacy on the ninth day of Navaratri. Warm, reflective, and candid, the celebrated singer spoke about his enduring faith in Lord Venkateshwara, his musical journey, his changing priorities, and his aspirations for the future.
“My Chartered Accountant is Lord Venkateshwara,” he declared with a smile. “He has given me everything. Ever since my first visit to Tirumala in 1995, I have made it a point to visit Him every year. He has taken such good care of me.”
For Vijay Prakash, faith is not merely a matter of ritual; it is a way of life. He believes that everything unfolds at the right time and that one must remain grateful for what life offers.
Work continues to keep Vijay Prakash busy, with performances, travel, and his growing commitment to mentoring young musicians occupying much of his time.
One such initiative was the Yuva Utsava held as part of Mysuru Dasara. The three-day musical workshop brought together young talents from different parts of Karnataka, offering them an opportunity to perform, exchange ideas, and explore the rich musical traditions of their respective regions under one roof.
The initiative was facilitated through VPCC, his recently established platform for music enthusiasts. For Vijay Prakash, such programmes (like Jodo Bharath) represent a meaningful way of giving back to the musical community and encouraging the next generation of performers.
“My schedule is full until the end of February, with hardly any gaps. However, I have consciously reduced the amount of singing I do these days,” he explained. Reflecting on the changing phases of a singer’s career, he observed that ambition evolves with time.
“In the beginning, we sing for popularity. Later, money becomes important. After achieving fame and financial stability, one tends to slow down a little. Singers like me are fortunate because our film industry still has a strong playback-singing culture. In the West, the approach is somewhat different, with artists often building their careers around albums and their own musical identities.”
He acknowledged the extraordinary contribution of legends such as S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, who recorded thousands of songs, while recognizing that every artist has a different journey.
“Today, even a relatively small catalogue of successful songs can sustain an artist for a long time. I cannot sing thousands of songs like SPB and some of the other stalwarts. Every singer has a different path.”
The pandemic brought about a significant change in Vijay Prakash’s outlook on life. He began reassessing his priorities, reducing his workload, and making room for pursuits beyond the demands of a busy musical career.
“Life has changed after COVID. I have reduced my workload and realized that the purpose of life is much broader than what we often imagine. That is one of the reasons I moved from Mumbai to Bengaluru. I have more time for myself now, and I want to involve myself in different activities.”
Originally from Mysuru, Vijay Prakash has a special emotional connection with his hometown. Having spent the first 19 years of his life there, he believes that the city deserves a more prominent place in his future musical endeavors.
“I have a desire to build a recording studio in Mysuru. I grew up there, and I feel that this is also my responsibility. In those days, coming to Bengaluru felt like going to America! Music was my life, and my entire world revolved around it.”
Today, with years of experience behind him, he hopes to share his knowledge in new ways, particularly through music direction.
“My first dream was to become a music director, but I eventually became a singer. Now that I have more time and am travelling less, I feel I can revisit that original dream and try my hand at music direction.”
It is a revealing admission from an artist who has already achieved so much as a singer. Rather than resting on past accomplishments, he is preparing to explore another dimension of his musical creativity.
Throughout the conversation, Vijay Prakash returned to the role of faith in his life. His gratitude was evident, as was his belief that contentment comes from accepting life without constantly seeking more.
“God has never deprived me of anything or left me wanting. At the same time, He has not given me an excess of everything. I have what I need, and I have faith that He will take care of everything.”
That philosophy also guides his decisions outside music. Many people have approached him with offers to act, but he has not yet accepted any of them.
“Rather than saying I am camera-shy, I feel I should concentrate on the work God has given me. Let us see what our CA decides in the future,” he said with a smile, returning to his delightful reference to Lord Venkateshwara as his personal Chartered Accountant.
It is a line that captures his personality beautifully: humble, humorous, and deeply rooted in faith.
VPCC and the Next Generation
While Vijay Prakash explores new creative possibilities, VPCC continues to develop as a platform for meaningful musical initiatives. His wife Mahathi oversees its activities, and the organization has been steadily bringing together music lovers through programmes that go beyond conventional performances.
The family’s next generation is also charting its own course. His daughter Kavya Prakash, having completed her studies abroad, has returned to Bengaluru and established a start-up company.
For Vijay Prakash, it is another reason to feel grateful: a family pursuing its individual aspirations while he looks towards the next phase of his own journey.
What more could one ask of a singer whose voice has already brought so much joy to music lovers?
Perhaps a recording studio in Mysuru. Perhaps a new chapter as a music director. Perhaps an unexpected appearance on the silver screen. Or perhaps a grand musical creation that brings all his talents together.
For now, these remain possibilities rather than promises. But the prospect is exciting, especially when it comes from an artist who is still curious, creative, and willing to follow new dreams.
As the conversation drew to a close, Vijay Prakash offered a warm smile and a gracious sign-off. His journey is far from over. The voice remains, the faith endures, and the dreams continue to evolve.
Jai Ho, Vijay Prakash!
