‘Arijit Singh and Pritam are talented and blessed. Their work is magnificent’: Benny Dayal

Benny Dayal is one of the most versatile musicians in the country at present. One of the very few singers at present who can mould his voice accordingly to suit his songs, Benny recently showed his singing and his dancing skills in the latest music video by his band Funktuation, Oora Paaru.

“We are a new band focusing on regional Tamil music. I’m definitely sure you haven’t heard something like this in our industry. It’s going to be a fun combination. We have been working towards this for two years, and we are trying to make it sound right so that everyone can enjoy it,” says the 34-year-old singer.

Benny also went on to praise the work of composer Pritam and singer Arijit Singh, who both combined have give us some of the biggest hits in recent years. “Their work is magnificent and is undoubtedly a successful quotient,” he says. Excerpts from an interview:

How do you try to bring variety into your live performances?

I’ve been always trying to expand my music. I’ve done performances in Chennai but I’ve done very minimal Tamil song. I am looking at performing more of Tamil songs at the moment. We are also trying to expand the horizons as musicians. 

You are constantly on the move. How do you keep up your energy levels and preserve your vocals while travelling? 

The key is to get sleep. Some people even say Benny is always sleeping. It takes that for me to be on point in my career. I’m also a person who makes a lot of time for my friends so I make sure I get all the rest I can for my vocal chords whenever possible, considering that I’m almost always travelling. 

Do you always have a particular kind of attire in mind, just for live performances? What about the cap and the glasses?

I have to be comfortable on stage; I need to feel light. I just wear a shirt and something that is presentable, which will keep me comfortable. If you know your audience, then you make your concert the way they would enjoy it, and you need to be comfortable to do so. 

Almost all your songs are hit numbers...

I don’t sing for hits. I sing for what the song is required for - this is coming honestly from within me. We let the music speak for itself.  

On the basis of form and frequency of songs, Pritam and Arijit Singh happen to be the most popular composer-singer duo at the moment. Your thoughts on their run?

Definitely. They are so talented and blessed. Their work is magnificent and is undoubtedly a successful quotient.

You have always spoken of remaining fresh and relevant throughout your career, like AR Rahman and SP Bala. Is singing in different voices for different songs one way of doing it?

From a musician’s perspective, especially me, I don’t think I’m singing in a new voice, I just give the voice that is required for the song. The song has to be nourished beautifully, and I try to put in the best that is required for it. I won’t try to be Benny Dayal for the song; I just wanna be the song. 

How often do you listen to your own songs during your leisure time? Any particular favourites?

Never. I don’t listen to my own songs. I’m always grateful for my work but I do not want to bask in its glory. I believe we should move on forward to keeping our ideas and versatility and perspective towards music fresh. 

Lastly, can you name a few songs composed by Rahman which you wished you had sung?

Dil Se from Dil Se, Uyirum Neeye Uravum, Neeye, Malargale, Kaadhalikkum Penin and Thanga Thamarai Magale.