CHENNAI: Belonging to a family of musicians, Gowry Lekshmi’s interest in music was a given! The Kerala-based singer started learning Carnatic music even before playschool, and her talent showed when her own composition Sakhiye, at 13 was chosen by director Rosshan Andrrews for the movie Casanova (2012). Gowry will be performing live on stage in the city this Friday.
“My parents have never forced me to do anything I don’t want to do,” she says. Though independent music was new to them, they understood that it’s the next big thing in Indian music. Her tunes encompass country music, funk and contemporary pop genres. She has performed in Bengaluru, Coimbatore and also in international stages like Bali and Kuwait.
Her muse for her compositions is her own life. “All my songs are close to nature. I am from a village near Allepey, and nature has always been a part of my life. I was never into videogames or TV, as a child,” says the award-winning musician.
Her fond memories are from her school days when she participated in many competitions. “There would be several in a day! I would rush from one stage to another, waiting for the prize announcements — it was fun,” she grins, adding she can’t recollect how many prizes she has won.
Participating in competitions helped her get over stage-fright, but she was a bundle of nerves during her first live show at Kochi, in 2014 when she was 21. “I never moved from one spot on the stage! But in the second performance the same year I started walking around and embracing the energy! There has been no looking back since,”
Gowry gushes.
The show will feature her original compositions, and this is the first stage where she will be performing with a full band, live with a Chennai line-up. “We are planning to release band videos as well,” she says.
Gowry will also be performing, for the first time, her new single, Maane, here. She is happy to have fans here. “Many of them don’t understand Malayalam, but still watch my performances. That means a lot to me!” she claims. She is soon shifting to Chennai! “Yes, I will be getting married and shifting to the city,” she blushes. Cue: Broken hearts!
Rapid Fire Favourite drink:
Tender coconut
Favourite food: Kerala rice and prawn fry
Where you’d love to perform: Glastonbury Festival
Who you’d love to perform with: Coldplay
If you could choose to have a superpower: To apparate! Like in Harry Potter
Catch Gowry Lekshmi LIVE on stage on Friday at Bay 146, Savera Hotel from 9 pm onwards. For reservations call 9710976876. Follow her YouTube channel ‘Gowry Lekshmi’