Prateek Kuhad Opens Up On His Supportive Sisters, Getting Taunted For Dark Skin, First Heartbreak & More

Prateek Kuhad, a renowned singer-songwriter, recently delved into the intricacies of his music and personal experiences on Yuvaa's 'Be A Man, Yaar!'. He shared his journey of love, heartbreak, and how these emotions fuel his songwriting. Speaking with Nikhil Taneja, co-founder of Yuvaa, Prateek revealed his emotional nature and the profound impact love has on his life. He remarked, "I fall in love very easily, and if I liked somebody I'd go and tell them straight up and I continued to do so. You know how people for years just hold love for someone inside of them, I could never, mere se ek hafta bhi nahi hota. I can't hold any emotion in."

From his tales of early expressions of love, including a humorous incident at the age of 4, to his high school heartbreak, Prateek's stories underscore his belief in the power of vulnerability. He recounted proposing to a classmate at just 4 years old, which led to a valuable lesson from his mother about expressing love. Another poignant memory he shared was telling his high school girlfriend he loved her after just a week, leading to a breakup that inspired one of his songs. This experience, he said, taught him about the depth of his feelings, "When I was in high school, I told my girlfriend of 7 days that I loved her and she freaked out and dumped me. It obviously made me very sad and I went on sort of a post-breakup trip with my dad who was travelling for work and a few months later wrote a song about it which talked about how it was not just infatuation but true love".

Prateek also opened up about his creative process, explaining how his songs often explore the melancholic aspects of love. He shared insights into the inspiration behind hits like 'Cold/Mess’ and 'Kasoor’, highlighting his nuanced approach to music. Prateek's storytelling through music captures the complexity of emotions, blending love with a touch of melancholy.

Despite facing challenges in the Indian music industry, particularly with his preference for English songs, Prateek remained dedicated to his craft. He discussed the rejections he faced and how he stayed true to his art, emphasizing the importance of songwriting, "I wanted to put out English songs and most places it was just rejections, bohot logo ne bola ki thoda upbeat gao, nahi aata mujhe. I didn't care if people criticised my singing, mein hu hi nahi. My core identity and all my effort goes into writing good songs, there is something powerful about songs. One melody, one line can be so impactful, healing, life-changing, it can be so many things."

The episode also touched upon Prateek's personal growth and the significant influences in his life. He spoke about his supportive family, including his sisters and mother, who encouraged his emotional expression. Prateek reflected on the importance of relationships, the challenges of school bullying, and a heartfelt encounter with a fan in Delhi, demonstrating the diverse experiences that shape his music.

Prateek Kuhad's journey from a young boy openly expressing his love to a celebrated musician underscores the transformative power of embracing emotions. Through his candid conversation, he offers a glimpse into the heart and mind behind his evocative music, reminding us of the universal language of love and the beauty of sharing our true selves.