On song to greater heights

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Give him a badminton racket and Parupalli Kashyap will stun you with his fantastic smashes and energetic rallies. Yet, if a microphone suddenly found its way into the ace’s hand, his crooning voice will do the same!

Known for his decisive play, calm demeanour and immense talent, the badminton star is a quite the singer and can belt a rocking Sweet Child of Mine. While he spends three sessions a day sweating it out at the Gopichand Badminton Academy under the eagle eye of his much-revered coach Pullela Gopichand, the young fellow can go solo with some cool rock and Bollywood numbers! “I love music and singing comes naturally to me. I prefer solos, but if I don’t know the song, then Karaoke is ok,” Kashyap says. From rock to heavy metal to classical and even Fateh Ali Khan and Rahat Fateh Ali, he loves all genres. “At a tournament in Hong Kong my team mates pushed me onstage and I sang Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins. I think people liked it. At other tournaments, I have sung Zahreeli Raatein and Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai.” So how well does he croon? “I think I sing well (though you should probably ask others!). I have sung solo in atleast five to six tournaments. I would love to learn how to play the guitar,” he quips.
Did you know that all his friends at the academy call him “guru?” Not only because he is a senior, but also because he is the one they run to for help, “They rely on me to ask the coach for permissions, ‘Bhaiya, please can you talk to Gopi Sir,’” adding humorously, “If I ask, I get the scolding or the approval! Someone in an interview has called me a bakra in jest as I am usually the one to get the work done,” says this lad with a funny bone.

Mum and me, and BFFs
That said, he does love hanging out with Akshay, Saina and Saurav. “They make me feel free and relaxed,” he says. When he is not scurrying across the court and outsmarting opponents, Kashyap loves spending time with his mother, “She’s a good friend. Of course, she acts like a mom as well and is a little strict at times. I like taking her out, even grocery shopping. When I am travelling, I keep in touch with her, though I avoid talking about the game. Earlier, she would worry, but now she trusts me to do the right thing.”
Kashyap follows a strict gluten-free diet though he is a foodie. “I love Italian food, especially penne with pesto. I have a lot of protein and avoid wheat and prefer brown rice. On weekends, I go easy, indulging in desserts,” he adds. He also likes a good game of poker. Ask him whether he’s any good, and he smiles cheekily and says, “If I say I am good, the guys who I play with will be waiting for me! I like poker and do play well.”

A sense of calm
On court, when the shuttle is flying helter skelter, how does he handle the pressure? “On court, I am spontaneous and focused. When I am not on court, I cut off. There is no use thinking about the game 24 hours. There was a time when I was not so calm, but my coach has taught me certain techniques that have helped me. I also do yoga nidra daily,” concludes the badminton champ who is all set for the Asia circuit matches next.