Global IndianstoryRaashi Kulkarni: The Indian-American composer telling stories through music

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Raashi Kulkarni: The Indian-American composer telling stories through music

Written by: Global Indian

(October 4, 2021) Broadway, pop, jazz, Western classical, Indian classical – Raashi Kulkarni can strum up a storm in any genre. Meet the Indian American pianist and music composer whose diverse sound palette has made her a popular entity in music circles. Her global perspective and passion for storytelling have played a catalyst in making some of the best score for American film and television.

A music artiste with two independent albums and a barrage of composition for film and television to her credit, Kulkarni has worked with the likes of Blake Neely and Warner Brothers. But her watershed moment came when she earned a spot at the 2021-23 Universal Composers Initiative, being the only person of Indian-origin to achieve this feat.

Kulkarni’s music has been serenading the audience for a long time but it has been a long journey for this composer who started learning music at the age of 7.

Music gave wings to dreams

Born and raised in Maryland, Kulkarni grew up in a household of music lovers. From Bollywood to Indian classical to Western classical, her home always had music playing in the background and it became a form of expression for this composer early in life. As young as seven, Kulkarni started taking flute and piano lessons. “My piano teacher had instilled the importance of storytelling through music early on, and that sentiment has stayed with me since,” Kulkarni told Voyage LA in an interview. For the next few years, Kulkarni performed at piano recitals, participated in band performances, choirs, orchestra, festivals and competitions.

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After her long tryst with music during her school days, she enrolled herself in George Washington University where she studied Economics and minored in Music. While the theories and stats of Economics kept her occupied, she never missed a chance to perform at any event in her college. After her graduation, Kulkarni started working full time but the love for music kept simmering. So she taught piano after work, performed at gigs on the weekend and anywhere in between scored commercials and short films. After three years of balancing the act, Kulkarni knew that she was ready to take the leap of faith and so she quit her job and applied to University of Southern California‘s graduate program for screen scoring. In 2015, she moved to Los Angeles for a perfect learning experience at the USC, wherein she was received the Joe and Alice Harnell Scholar Award for Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television.

The big break

It opened a barrage of opportunities for this young talent who then freelanced as a composer and assisted many film composers for six months before getting a full-time job with Emmy-nominated composer Blake Neely in 2017.

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She started with as an intern and later moved up the ranks as a writing assistant/arranger. While Kulkarni was making music under the tutelage of Neely, she released her first EP Raashi, a compilation of five original songs, in 2018. “I wrote the first song, Humraahi, in 2013, when I was at a point of transition in my professional and personal life. The song is about being vulnerable, which represents how I was feeling at that time. I knew I had to open myself up to taking risks,” she told Urban Asian. The album debuted at No 1 on the iTunes World Music Charts.

But the turning point came when she composed and orchestrated the music for the DC Universe’s first Bollywood-inspired musical, featured on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. “In late 2018, Warner Brothers hired me to compose the DC Universe’s first Bollywood-inspired musical number, featured on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. I understood the complexity of this endeavor and was able to leverage both sides of my identity to bring this project to fruition. Bridging my two worlds to create a composition for national television was a special milestone for me,” she said in an interview with AAPIMusicians.

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Not just this, Kulkarni has composed music with Neely on shows like Batgirl, Supergirl, The Flash and Emergence. The pianist loves telling stories through her music, and finds it an extension of herself. “Stories and music have been passed down for generations and unite people from all parts of the world. Connection is the main reason I love to create and share my work. When composing for film and television, my job is to elevate the emotions of the story and provide context that words cannot. When composing my own music, I’m sharing a part of my soul,” she added.

Facing prejudice in the US

The Global Indian, who has been born and brought up in the US, has become a name to reckon with in music circles, thanks to her soulful melodies. But it hasn’t been an easy journey for her as she faced prejudice early on in her journey. “I have been prejudged on my skills as a musician based on my appearance alone. I have also been told to ‘go back to my country’ even though I was born in the United States. Minorities and underrepresented voices face these issues everyday. I believe the entertainment industry has made well-intentioned strides towards inclusivity and hope that change continues to take hold,” she told AAPIMusicians.

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This year Kulkarni scripted history when she became the first person of Indian-origin to be selected for the 2021-23 Universal Composers Initiative. Being one among the eight diverse composers, she is a part of an initiative that aims to elevate artistes that possess unique and global perspectives translating into distinctive musical expressions.

Kulkarni’s music has been elevating films and television for many years now, and the composer has truly made a place for herself in the industry that appreciates a talent like her.

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Published on 04, Oct 2021

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Punjabi-Reggae Revolution: How a search for identity led to the birth of ‘British Bhangra’

(June 18, 2023) In the vibrant tapestry of British cultural history, an extraordinary phenomenon took root in the 1980s, spreading its melodious tendrils and captivating the hearts of British-South Asians grappling with the intricate web of identity in their newfound homeland. A harmonious fusion emerged as if to weave together the threads of their ancestral heritage and the pulsating rhythms of their adopted abode. Punjabi-Reggae Music, an enchanting symphony born from the union of two distinct worlds, emerged as a resplendent symbol of cultural representation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WjK9m_8gCU Bringing Bhangra to the UK As the children of the pioneers who ventured to the shores of the United Kingdom in the 1960s in search of work in London or Birmingham's metal foundries, Punjabis carried with them an intangible gift, a precious consolation in the face of uprooted lives. This gift was none other than their indigenous music, a beacon of solace and celebration that reminded them of their agricultural lands in Punjab, a place that came to life during the harvest festival of Baisakhi, with men performing Bhangra to the beats of the dhol. The migration of rustic music to the West was not just a way to reminisce the life back home

s not just a way to reminisce the life back home but also a symbol of cultural representation for the young South Asians trying to find their identity in a new land.

Around the same time, a surge in migration of Black African immigrants from Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa gave way to the mingling of South Asians with them. The influence of Afro music - especially hip hop and reggae - on young South Asians gave birth to a new genre - Punjabi Reggae, thus forging an exhilarating path towards artistic redefinition. In the resounding fusion of Bhangra and the captivating cadences of reggae, an alchemical transformation occurred, breathing life into a cultural narrative long yearning to be heard.

Preserving Desi culture

The 1980s and 90s saw the arrival of Bhangra music in the UK, thanks to artists like Alaap, Heera, and Apache Indian who were fusing Punjabi folk music with hip hop. Bhangra music bands started spurting in the corners of the UK to preserve desi culture in Britain, and among them a Southall band Alaap was the forerunner of this new genre. Singer Channi Singh's voice mixed Western beats and Punjabi lyrics made for a deadly combination, resulting in Alaap's huge success in the 80s.

[caption id="attachment_40162" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Bhangra band Alaap[/caption]

The emergence of Daytime Discos

But with conservative parents at home, going to nightclubs and discos wasn't an option for the young British Indians. This void gave birth to the concept of Daytime Discos, a cultural phenomenon that was a hit among the youth as they enjoyed dancing to music and made it home in time for evening tea. Hundreds of teenagers skipped schools and colleges to hear their favourite bands and DJs play at Daydiscos, and Bradford became the epicentre of the underground scene. Rani Kaur, who was popular as DJ Radical Sista in those days, told BBC, "At the time there was very little in terms of Asian cultural stuff in the mainstream, we would get the odd programme on TV but it was more geared to the older generation. There was a gap and there was a thirst for something to fill it, so daytimers just rocketed. It was about creating a new identity for Asians in the UK that had not existed before."

[caption id="attachment_40158" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Punjabi British Bhangra | Global Indian DJ Radical Sista played at many Daytime discos in Bradford in the 80s. (Photo: Tim Smith)[/caption]

While one could still get hold of the Bollywood records but finding a Bhangra record was a tough cookie to crack. So South Asians across Bradford came together to celebrate their culture and identity in the UK. Despite its success, the phenomenon was short-lived and lasted for about five-six years.

An identity shift

In the early 1990s, a group of young British Indians grappling with their identity confronted a unique solution within the confines of their garages: blending music. Caught between their British upbringing and their Indian heritage, these individuals pioneered a new sound known as British Bhangra music, which served as a bridge connecting both cultures. This musical fusion not only became a creative outlet but also played a pivotal role in shaping a bicultural identity. One man in the middle of this new phenomenon was Baljit Singh Sagoo aka Bally Sagoo, whose 1991 compilation Star Crazy put bhangra on the global music map. Fusing traditional Punjabi folk songs with reggae music is what made Laung Gwacha an instant hit. "This particular track (Laung Gwacha, feat. Rama & Cheshire Cat) was a Punjabi reggae song, it was an experiment, where the Asian kids went crazy and everybody thought we need some stuff like this.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgLI7ginjPM&list=PLgOfaFz80L2ZdQYEyQ1ZIm-FhyfElgKCt&index=5

Growing up in Birmingham, Sagoo was heavily influenced by the vibrant black music scene that surrounded him, encompassing genres such as hip-hop, soul, and reggae. This diverse musical environment left an indelible mark on his compositions. During this time, young British Indians discovered a newfound sense of identity through the emergence of Punjabi reggae music. Another notable figure making waves in the music industry with his fusion of Punjabi reggae was songwriter-singer and DJ Steven Kapoor, known as Apache Indian. Songs like Chock There and Boom Shack A Lak became anthems for the MTV generation, blending reggae with bhangra. "When I first went into the studio, I didn’t want it to be just reggae, so we put a bit of the Punjabi rhythm in there - the first-time bhangra was being fused musically, just like our lifestyles," Apache told the Guardian.

[caption id="attachment_40160" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Apache Indian | Global Indian Steven Kapur aka Apache Indian[/caption]

The popularity of the genre gave way to new singers and artists who not only became popular in the UK but created a stir back in India too. As the British-Asian population expanded and diversified around the mid-90s, it was Bhangra that kept the communities together. "The eighties London sound was a bit more innovative, open to Hindi and other Asian music, whereas Birmingham was desi because the community was solid, Punjabi and Sikh. It had an authentic rawness whereas London’s was more poppy popular. Today, a lot more kids in London are sampling grime and hip hop and doing remixes of bhangra classics than in the Midlands," Bobby Friction told the daily.

British Bhangra music embarked on a remarkable journey that began in the 1970s when it first arrived on the shores of Britain. Initially, it catered primarily to the South Asian diaspora, but its infectious rhythms and captivating melodies soon resonated with a wider audience. By the 1980s and 1990s, British Bhangra had reached its pinnacle when it took the form of Punjabi Reggae, captivating both British and global music enthusiasts.

Bhangra Music | Global Indian

This unique genre not only provided a soundtrack for celebration and cultural expression but also became a lifeline for young British Indians searching for a sense of identity. It bridged the gap between their British upbringing and their Indian heritage, offering a harmonious blend of sounds that reflected their bicultural experiences. Its influence reverberated throughout the music industry, permeating genres and captivating listeners worldwide well into the 2000s. Its legacy continues to inspire and enrich the musical landscape, a testament to the power of cultural fusion and the universal language of music.

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Hanumankind: The Indian rapper taking global music scene by storm

(August 24, 2024) The daredevils on motorbikes using centrifugal force to drive on the near-vertical walls of barrel-shaped structures is a popular stunt at carnivals in India. And it's this very maut ka kuan (well of death) that forms the backdrop of the viral hit - Big Dawgs by Indian rapper Hanumankind. Within a month of its release, the single has caused a stir in the international music community with its groovy tunes and death-defying stunts. The Kerala-born rapper has rapidly risen to global fame, making his debut at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100. With over 54 million views on YouTube, the smashing hit surpassed Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us to grab the 11th spot on the Spotify Global Top 50 chart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHKltAiKXQ Responding to getting worldwide acclaim, he said in an interview, "It's been crazy. But I'm just a rapper from India. I get it — I am from here. But I'm just someone that's making art from a different side of the world. I have my own personal journey." Even Anand Mahindra is super impressed by the Indian rapper. He took to X to spotlight the artist, "Rap may not be for everyone, but this

p may not be for everyone, but this guy from Kerala & now Bengaluru via Texas is popping eyes across to US for his authentic sound & his extraordinary, raw videos."

Have posted recently about astonishingly talented young women of Indian origin making waves in indigenous American music genres.

Now here’s Sooraj Cherukat, @Hanumankind1 @hanumankind (Insta) who’s rapping his way to global recognition.

Rap may not be for everyone, but this… pic.twitter.com/4udUHqSjHK

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 28, 2024

The 31-year-old breakthrough artist has gained international fame in no time, with his song being generously shared across TikTok, Instagram, and X. But pursuing music was never on the mind of Sooraj Cherukat, who goes by the stage name Hanumankind.

Global influence

Born in Kerala, Sooraj moved around Middle and Africa owing to his dad's job at an oilfield company before settling in Houston, Texas, where he spent his formative years. It was here that he was introduced to Southern hip hop as he grew up listening to artists like TidexX, Three 6 Mafia, and Project Pat. Growing up in a traditional family that wanted him to study well, get a job, buy a home, get married, and have kids, he decided to chart his own path. He returned to India in 2012 to pursue a degree in Business Administration from PSG College in Coimbatore. He landed a job at Goldman Sachs, spending his 9-to-5 in the corporate world while moonlighting as Hanumankind. In 2019, he released his first single Daily Dose, a part of his debut EP Kalari.

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For the next five years, he kept belting out popular songs like Genghis, Skyline, Damnson, Southside, and Rush Hour, amassing a massive fan following in India. But it's Big Dawgs that catapulted him into the international music scene for its beats and stunning video.

Big Dawgs - The song that changed it all

Shot in the coastal district of Ponnani - also known as the Mecca of Kerala, the video directed by Bijoy Shetty is a perfect blend of desi swagger and western beats. Talking about why he chose this location, Hanumankind told Rolling Stone, "A lot of things are happening in this video. But mainly, if you want something, take that risk, man, or else it won’t happen. Even if you fail, it’s still the act of doing. For me, even if this video didn’t work out, I get to tell my grandchildren that I actually sat inside the well of death and did this. At the very least, if nothing worked out, I'm happy about that."

Interestingly, it was a Zoom call between Kalmi and Hanumankind that led to the birth of Big Dawgs. "We were just trying to build a habit of making music without any intention, without any weight behind it, and see what happens. It took some 30 minutes for us to put together the beat, I wrote, and it rolled out," revealed Hanumankind, who calls himself spiritual.

Desi heart and soul

Revealing the inspiration behind his stage name, he said that Hanuman is a name that many people know. "It's something that everyone can associate with being Indian. And mankind is the rest of the world. It was a combination of both things. To bring two things together in a way that ties into my purpose."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wtBtXTGJQk

Having lived in the US for a larger part, he is still considered an NRI. Though he has a thick American accent, Hanumankind is fluent in Malayalam, his mother tongue. "That's something that's helped me because I came here and built myself into the community." He lived in Bangalore, attended university there for a while, and spent time traveling and immersing himself in life back home in India. At the end of 2012, he had the option to move back to the United States, but he chose to stay. "It's now been 12 years since, and it’s been beautiful."

It's been five years since Hanumankind dropped his first single, and the artist calls hip-hop scene in India "absolutely thriving." Since hip-hop is about telling a story, he finds many artists who have much to say and completely nailing the genre.

With a big hit to his name now, Hanumankind is not succumbing to the pressure of belting out another banger soon. "I want to push myself creatively, spiritually, mentally, everything. I want to develop my art and do it the way I want to. I know I can do better. There's so much more I can do. This is not the peak of it all," he said, adding, "I’m blessed to say that this happened, but these things come and go. I have goals and dreams and aspirations of being a version of myself."

Follow Hanumankind on Instagram

Alpesh Chauhan: Meet the British-Indian musician shortlisted for Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

(February29, 2024) When an 8-year-old Alpesh Chauhan returned from his school with a cello tucked under his arm, his parents were quite surprised. Immigrating to the UK from East Africa, his parents had no inclination towards music. So, seeing their son with a cello left them a little baffled. This sudden fascination for the cello dawned on him when he first heard local music teacher and cellist Veronica Raven from Birmingham Music Service perform during his morning assembly at Hall Green Junior School. "She's a bit of a legend and I remember it was amazing to listen to her. From that moment I knew it was what I wanted to do. I spoke to her – and the next thing is that I was given a cello to take home," he said in an interview. Years later after he fell in love with the cello, he is conducting some of the greatest orchestras in the world. Being tipped as the next Sir Simon Rattle, Alpesh, the Music Director of Birmingham Opera Company, was recently nominated in the Conductor category at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards in the UK. [caption id="attachment_49529" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Alpesh Chauhan[/caption] Welcome to the world of orchestra

9" src="https://stage.globalindian.com//wp-content/uploads/2024/02/alpesh1-1024x682.jpg" alt="Alpesh Chauhan | Global Indian" width="1024" height="682" /> Alpesh Chauhan[/caption]

Welcome to the world of orchestra and symphony

Alpesh grew up on a rich diet of Bollywood films whose soundtracks he found to be orchestral and instrumental, thus helping him lean towards the sound and orchestral world. Already learning the cello, it was at age 14 that he discovered the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) through friends who encouraged him to give it a shot. "That's when I started discovering orchestral music. It certainly wasn’t a culture I was familiar with in my own house. But to me, at that moment, it just seemed so amazing," said the Birmingham resident.

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Keeping up with his passion for music, he was a cello student at the Royal Northern College of Music, and later enrolled in Manchester College's masters conducting course. It was here that he was spotted by the CBSO chief who presented a golden opportunity to him. Impressed with Alpesh's conducting skills, he was offered the post of fellow conductor which he held until he was promoted to associate conductor in 2014. Later, he took up the position of principal conductor, conducting his own full programmes.

Tiptoeing into the professional world

His debut occurred alongside the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra during a Radio 3 live broadcast featuring Vasks’ Violin Concerto "Distant Light" and Brahms’ Symphony No. 3. Subsequently, he was invited back to conduct the orchestra for the Ten Pieces Secondary film. In May and June 2015, he substituted for two live Radio 3 broadcasts with the BBC Scottish and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestras, both garnering significant acclaims.

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But being a young principal conductor came with its own set of challenges. His age often translated into a lack of experience. "Conductors often give the best concerts of their lives when they are well into their 60s, 70s or even 80s. It's a field where age and experience only improve your conducting. This experience includes life experience, to understand better the plethora of emotions that composers strive to achieve in their music," he revealed. However, the Global Indian knew that he could always help himself by working hard. "You have to study and always strive to go deeper and deeper into scores so that when standing in front of an orchestra, you know the music as well as you can on that day," added Alpesh, who was named the associate conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

In 2022, Alpesh received an OBE in HRH The Queen's New Year's Honours for his services to the Arts.

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A star in the making

"I started out conducting little groups of musicians at school." Now, he directs substantially larger ensembles, whether it be in Birmingham or throughout the UK and Europe.

It was perseverance and hardwork that led him to great heights in the world of symphony and he advises the same for youngsters who plan to tread the waters. "Once you know what you’re getting yourself into, focus! Focus, focus, focus! It’s a hard world – people often comment on just how difficult it is to be employed and to be successful in the music business. However, it isn’t that scary if you are committed and have the passion and drive to thrive," he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tVp0U8FB-g

Alpesh Chauhan's remarkable journey to prominence in the world of orchestral conducting speaks volumes about his extraordinary talent and dedication. Being nominated in the Conductor category at the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Awards in the UK solidifies his status as a rising star in the realm of classical music. Despite his young age, Alpesh has already established himself as a name to reckon with, captivating audiences and earning the respect of his peers with his exceptional skill and musical insight. As he continues to inspire and elevate the art of orchestral performance, Alpesh's future in shaping the landscape of symphony appears incredibly promising, heralding a new era of brilliance and innovation in the world of music.

Follow Alpesh Chauhan on Instagram and website

Defeating misogyny: Saxophone Subbalaxmi’s rise to stardom

(February 28, 2022) A diminutive pre-teen girl clutching an outsized saxophone - the image alone was enough to make Subbalaxmi an object of ridicule among her boisterous male peers. Her unwavering determination to learn the instrument only made things worse - how could a girl dare to do something meant only for boys? "Tell her to learn how to cook," they called out. "At least that will help her in the future." The 12-year-old Subbalaxmi, however, refused to back down. She sat through the class, with the blessing of her Guru, Kadri Gopalnath, who fully supported this attempt to break free of a stereotype. Her Guru passed away in 2019 and before she steps on stage, Saxophone Subbalaxmi always takes a minute to close her eyes and pay him tribute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JHF-uYzIiw Unconditional support from her teacher and her father MR Sainath, went a long way but Saxophone Subbalaxmi's personal journey was far from easy, at least in the early days in Mangalore where she was born and brought up. Back home, disapproving neighbours would complain about her evening riyaaz. Whether or not she was fazed by the mockery, Subbalaxmi had no intention of giving up. She continued learning and

ving up. She continued learning and later went to Chennai for higher training.

Amongst numerous brilliant performances across the world, her memorable one has been at Singapore - a concert for the Tamil Association. She had been expecting Indians in the audience but to her surprise there were many Singaporeans. She immediately improvised fascinating them all. With over 3,000 performances, and awards like the prestigious Padmabharathi and Yuvakala Bharathi amongst others, Saxophone Subbalaxmi has also made it into the Limca Book of Records.

Making music count

Today, 'Saxophone Subbalaxmi' has made a name for herself in an industry where rules are sacrosanct, and she boasts a fan base across the world. And if she broke stereotypes as a child, she continues even today – her music has its own signature style, a blend of Indian and Western, played on an instrument that came to India from the West.

[caption id="attachment_20409" align="aligncenter" width="572"] Saxophone Subbalaxmi | Global Indian Saxophone Subbalaxmi[/caption]

She began training in Carnatic vocals at the age of five, having been born into a family of musicians. Her grandfather, MR Rajappa was an Asthana Vidwan in the royal court of Mysuru. Her uncles were percussionists and her father, an exponent of the Mridangam, was an A-grade staff artiste at All India Radio. Growing up, Subbalaxmi would accompany her father as he travelled for shows with Padma Shree Kadri Gopalnath, the noted saxophonist. That was a turning point. “I found divinity in his Gamakams,” Saxophone Subbalaxmi recalls, in an interview with Global Indian. “I fell in love with the instrument but I didn't realise then that it's a very difficult instrument to play, especially for girls, because it requires a lot of lung power.”

Subbalaxmi soon announced that she would learn nothing but the saxophone. It was a radical choice. Her surprised father decided to stand by her. He encouraged her dreams, as did Kadri Gopalnath, who even volunteered to be her guru. That’s how Saxophone Subbalaxmi became Gopalnath’s first female disciple. Her determination and hard work also impressed her two older siblings, both of whom also took to the instrument. Today, after two decades spent performing in India and abroad, Saxophone Subbalaxmi is a role model for young women.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41ZojXfUKSk

Charting her own path

"My challenges mostly are off stage, though,” she says. “There is simply no time to relax when you’re on tour. The only time I manage to sleep is on the flight. Eating hours can also get erratic; this leads to other problems like weight gain. Late-night treats after performances will also play havoc.” She keeps herself fit through yoga, swimming and gymming.

It was during a concert in Chennai, she met the man who would become her husband - Kiran Kumar. The couple married in 2009. Kumar manages his celebrity wife’s business. “Without each other, we would not be able to do anything,” she says, glowingly. They live in Bengaluru with their 12-year-old son, Rudransh.

Her daily riyaaz remains the mantra to her success, Subbalaxmi admits. She keeps herself updated with the latest trends while ensuring that she stays rooted in tradition. "I’m also particular about how I present myself. On stage, I improvise as it’s important to stay in touch with the audience’s taste," says the musician who has an affinity to the stage. “Many tell me that I enjoy myself when I perform and dance along to the music. To this, I say that I am deeply honoured to be playing music written by the greatest composers - how I can do them justice if I lack energy and excitement? Simply put, I just enjoy the whole atmosphere,” she adds.

[caption id="attachment_20410" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Saxophone Subbalaxmi | Global Indian Saxophone Subbalaxmi with popular Bollywood singer, Alka Yagnik[/caption]

Even Western audiences clamour for her trademark fusion style. “My inspirations come from all over the world too,” Subbalaxmi explains. She has always returned, over the years, to Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Lata Mangeshkar. Tunes like Baahon Mein Chale Aa, Nile Nile Ambar Par and Chura Liya Hai Tumne always find a spot in her concert repertoire. “Once, I had to perform Jab Koi Baat Bigar Jaye eight times on audience demand,” she recalls, laughing.

Not backing down

At the age of 12, she was teased and told to learn how to cook. She did, in fact, find her way around the kitchen, and cooking is one of her hobbies today. “I’m a pro when it comes to rustling non-vegetarian food,” she remarks. The same people who mocked her once are full of praise, and Saxophone Subbalaxmi now finds herself besieged by fans asking for selfies. Even her neighbours no longer complain about her riyaaz, instead, they come to their windows to hear her play as she practices. “Sometimes, they even call me to request a particular song while they listen outside, or drop by to hear me play! I am blessed to have these people in my life,” she smiles.

Follow Saxophone Subbalaxmi on Linkedin and Instagram

Reading Time: 7 mins

Prateek Kuhad: The indie singer who made it to Barack Obama’s playlist

(July 30, 9:55 am) "I held my breath, and so did you We'll be okay I promise you I'll sing you home, and be with you And all skies will follow through you." - You are Mine (Prateek Kuhad, 2017) The wistful songs, the melancholic melody, and the soulful vocals; Prateek Kuhad is a mood. He is like a cup of hot coffee on a cold morning. A warm blanket on a rainy night. A soothing balm to a broken heart. Kuhad is unlike any artist, and it's his music that makes him stand out among a sea of musicians. For someone who recorded his first song on his iPhone to making it to Barack Obama's favorite playlist, the New York University-educated singer and songwriter has come a long way. The 31-year-old has not only found a cult following among desi millennials but has also put Indian music on the global map with his soulful songs. Here's the journey of one of the most popular indie musicians in the country. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XV5tw_FHdU A guitar - that's where it all began It was in Jaipur that Kuhad grew up with his lawyer dad, artist mom, and two sisters. Like every 90s kid, he

the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XV5tw_FHdU

A guitar - that's where it all began

It was in Jaipur that Kuhad grew up with his lawyer dad, artist mom, and two sisters. Like every 90s kid, he was raised on a healthy diet of MTV and Channel V. It was in his teens that he fell in love with the guitar and his fondness for the instrument amplified after listening to bands such as Jal, Silk Route, and Strings. VH1 introduced a young Kuhad to American and British music, and soon Cliff Richard, Harry Belafonte, and John Mayer became his favorites. Even though music was an integral part of Kuhad's life, he had no aspiration of seeking it as a profession.

A good student, Kuhad was preparing to get into an engineering college when he was accepted at New York University for a degree in maths and economics. It is here that he discovered the folk singer Elliott Smith, the classic records of Bob Dylan, and contemporary folk artists such as Laura Marling. These legends inspired Kuhad to get serious about the guitar and songwriting. By the time he graduated, he had already performed a handful of gigs and composed a couple of songs - but all for fun.

While music was always on his mind, Kuhad had plans of becoming an analyst at a bank, and he actually did join a company only to be fired within a few months.

Termination letter led to his first song

It took a termination letter and an overwhelming feeling of depression for him to find his true calling.

In his words, nothing was working out for him and he was doubting himself. And it was this uncertainty that he poured into a song 'There's something wrong with the way I think.'

He gave himself dedicated time to make music, a decision that changed the trajectory of his life.

In a conversation with First Post, he said,

"I got fired from my job, [so] I thought I'll give myself this one year and see how it goes. It had been irking me for a while making me want to give music at least a shot. Then it just kept going from there."

In 2003, Kuhad packed his bags and returned to India, and went on a travel spree with the intention of making music. But unlike other amateurs, he did not take the route of doing a cover. Instead, he released his first EP (a musical recording that is shorter than a full album) Raat Raazi, which had five songs. It just took a simplistic setting with a guitar for a 23-year-old Kuhad to create magic with his debut song. Raat Raazi was good enough to get him noticed, so much so that he started getting shows. The warm reception of his first EP was enough for Kuhad to belt out more songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77wafaFbZ6Y

The beginning of brand Prateek Kuhad

With no collaborations or music labels backing him, it was social media that came to Kuhad's rescue.

"When it released, I put it on social media, which got the attention I needed to get gigs. Weekender reached out to me and I played with them in five cities. It is all word of mouth. I had put out a live recording of Raat Raazi. It was shot on my iPhone and went viral," he told HT Brunch.

At a time when the entire country was grooving to Bollywood beats, Kuhad's songs spoke of love, melancholy, and pain in their raw form. And it cut deeply for most of his fans. His style of blending minimally arranged melodies with intense lyrics found him a huge fan following.

It was in 2015 that he released his first full-fledged album In Tokens & Charms with 10 songs, and since then he has been headlining gigs across the world that are attended by tens of thousands.

The Indian musician's international gigs

Two years later, the independent singer and songwriter picked up the Best Indian Act trophy at MTV Europe Music Award for his song 100 Words.

Kuhad, who has created his own space in the independent music scene, has consciously stayed away from Bollywood.

"Bollywood means being in Mumbai, going and meeting people, being seen in the right company. I decided not to take that route but to release my own music and build my fan base," he added.

Prateek Kuhad

Though he has composed a total of four songs for Bollywood, Kuhad is happy to be an indie artist.

"Especially today, there is so much happening in the music scene with the Internet and social media helping artists reach out to newer audiences. It is a big enough industry and it is possible to exist outside Bollywood, and also coexist with it," he said.

But it was his 2018 EP cold/mess that compelled many to take notice of his talent powerhouse. The melancholic lyrics and wispy vocals speak of heartbreak like nothing else. The song turned out to be one of his biggest hits till now. So much so that even Barack Obama couldn't ignore it.

Barack Obama's surprise tweet

After bringing his successful run of 30 shows in the US, Europe, and India to a beautiful end in Delhi in 2019, Kuhad was in for a real surprise as he made it to Barack Obama's favorite annual playlist. His song cold/mess made Kuhad stand tall among the likes of Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Lizzo, and Solange.

Sharing his list of top 35 songs from 2019, Obama tweeted:

From hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year. If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick. pic.twitter.com/mQ2VssyDwt

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 30, 2019

An oblivious Kuhad had no idea how his song reached Obama but he has found a fan in the former US President. The listing also helped in defying perceptions that his music was a hit only with the millennials. That tweet made Kuhad one of the most-googled people in America that day.

Even back home, fans erupted into a social media frenzy to find Kuhad's cold/mess on the list. Obama's nod catapulted Kuhad to international recognition and fame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il7Nv270zNk

Making it big internationally

Kuhad has been making the right noise in the international music circuit, and his deal with American record company Elektra is proof of it. Kuhad became the first-ever Indian artist to be signed by the label, which has successful artists like Brandi Carlile and Kaleo on its list.

Kuhad is one of the rare Indian musicians who has put his stamp on the world of music, but he does get caught up in the strings of prejudice at times.

"I am definitely one of the very few Indians working in the American music industry. There are a few brown people but mostly they are Indian Americans. The music industry is rather chill about them. It is not so much about skin color. But when they learn that I am an Indian Indian, they tend to think that I want to do world music kind of stuff. So I really need to make them listen to my music to break these preconceived notions," he added.

Editor's Take

When Prateek Kuhad exploded on the internet with his first song Raat Raazi, little did he know that he would become the new face of Indian indie music. His soulful renditions have become a hit across the world. Such has been the magic of his music that former US President Barack Obama picked his song for his annual playlist. Music can break barriers, and Kuhad is a perfect example of it. His story is also a great demonstration of how the internet has democratized the playing field for artists - gone are the days when getting a foot into Bollywood was the only way for Indian musicians to succeed.

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