It was about ten years ago that Kanika Kapoor recorded Jugni Ji, her first song. Two years later, she released the single, and it was the first of many chartbusters for the singer. Looking back, Kapoor says, “I recorded it sitting at home and got it programmed. It was a housewife’s passion project.”

Unlike most artistes, who begin their career at a young age, Kapoor kick-started her journey after she became a mum of two. “I was going through a divorce in 2012. I really needed a job. The only thing I thought I was half good at was singing. My dad told me that I should take it up professionally. I didn’t know how that would happen,” she says.

Kapoor believes that it was spirituality that helped her stay connected to her roots: “I’m not a person who works to become powerful, richer, or more famous. I also want to be a better singer and a homemaker.” 

Despite belting out hit tracks such as Baby Doll (Ragini MMS 2; 2014) and Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan (Roy; 2015), she rues the lack of a music industry in India: “It’s dependent on the film industry. That gives little chance to talented artistes from small towns.”