Candid IV

Welcome to Candid! This is time I got a chance to Kumar Harsh, an excellent poet and an amazing singer. He is extremely rare to find these days in WordPress or somewhere else due to his work commitments but he agreed to do an interview, for which I am extremely grateful. He has an optimistic outlook to life, though a bit shy, when he opens up to people, he is most caring and speaks his heart out.

Here’s the interview-

1) Where are you from? Tell us about it.

I am currently living in Chandigarh although wasn’t born here. Chandigarh is my home town as I resonate with this place more than anywhere else. There is peace and tranquility here. Isn’t that everybody seeks?

I have heard Chandigarh is a beautiful place. Plan to visit it someday!

2) Do you think drugs and marijuana use be legalized? If yes, why? If no, why not?

I think they should be legalized as it will be brought under government control. Just like everything both of them have certain health benefits and some negatives as well. If legalized they can be put to good use as well. Although certain drugs and marijuana are legalized but purely for medicinal purposes. They are still yet to be legalized for recreational purposes.

Legalization will hamper the black market. Things will be out in the open and people can make decisions for themselves by a legal route. Supply and demand chains will be balanced.

3) What is love? What isn’t?

I think love is like that breeze of cold air that calms you on summer days and like the warmth of a blanket that holds you tight on chilly days. It protects you and nurtures you to grow and not hold back. Anything forced is not love.

Quite romantic! Hope you find your breeze of cold air soon!

4) What do you think is the role of a man in a society?

The role of man in a society for ages has been to earn and provide for their families. But according to me a role of man or a woman in contemporary times is not very different. They both can and should be able to provide for their families not just in monetary terms but emotional and spiritual terms as well. The water tight compartments are getting obsolete day by day.

Work should not be gender defined. Ease and expertise should matter but there should be a fair enough chance. A man can cook. A woman can earn. It should be made natural.

5) Physical appearance or character? What attracts you the most? Why?

We as human beings have always attracted to things that please the eyes. Be it a spectacular sunset or a ravishing rose. Our eyes respond differently to the ideas of beauty. It would be hypocritical to say that physical appearance doesn’t matter but it would be preposterous to say that only physical appearance matters. For me there should be a right balance of both but a little more tilted towards the character of the person because beauty fades over time.

Fair enough!

6) Support or company? What do you look forward to in your old age?

I think i will definitely look for company in my old age. I know when my days would be limited I would want to spend them in utter happiness and peace.

A supportive company, it is for me!

7) What are your views on prostitution? Do you think it should be legalized? Why not?

It should be legalized to prevent the exploitation of the women and whosoever is attached with this profession. They should be given all types of benefits that a working professional gets. Prostitution is something that people get into when usually they are all out of options. I believe that they should deserve the dignity and respect that is received by each member of our society.

Basic human amenities and rights should be provided for all, irrespective of their profession. Work is worship!

8) Have you ever tried wooing a girl with your voice and guitar? Did it work? Why not?

Haha, no i don’t think i have tried this. I did play my guitar but only when I wanted to. Even social media doesn’t have very much of my recordings. I have sung not specifically for this purpose. However, my friends have always asked me to do otherwise.

You definitely should have tried wooing. I am sure there would have been a huge line standing which you would have royally ignored.

9) Emotional stability or financial security? What would you choose? Why?

For me both of these are equally important. Only money cannot bring you peace and only emotional stability cannot bring you happiness.

Without money, you are nothing and without emotional bonds, you still have nothing.

10) Do you think family upbringing forms the character and outlook of a child? A man cannot be different from the family name he carries? Why?

It’s a popular saying in Latin- “Tabula Rasa” that means a blank slate. A child’s mind is like a blank slate that can be made into anything that is required. A child after birth is most influenced by his family that shapes his entire character and over the time it becomes a part of who he really is.

Completely agreed. Child’s first school is home and the first teachers parents.

11) How was the interview? Your experience with the interviewer?

The interview was a very enlightening one. I got to know things about me through the variety of questions the interviewer had put in.

Sheereen is an amazing person who knows how to converse with people around her. It is always a pleasure

Too much praise for me. I am getting shy now.

Jokes apart, it was my pleasure to interview you. Hope you don’t disappear again and keep writing and singing always. Hope to collaborate more with you in the future.