I think my brain naturally tuned into Bollywood music

I'm originally South Indian – Tamilian - but I was born in Mumbai and grew up in Singapore, where I spent most of my life. I moved here in the UK six years ago for university. Though I was raised outside India, I visited every year for months, staying with family and relatives, so Indian traditions remained a strong part of my life. Singapore also has a large Indian, particularly South Indian, community, which shaped my upbringing.

I'm a guitarist and composer. I started out in rock bands rather than classical or Indian classical music and later discovered jazz, which I studied in my undergrad. Over time, my appreciation for all kinds of music grew – film music like Bollywood, classical, electronic – whatever excites me. I love sound, and if something interests me, I pursue it. 

My work now focuses on composition, arranging, and orchestration. I first got into this through Tim Pottier, the lead arranger, who brought me on board for the Lata Mangeshkar Prom with the BBC a few years ago. That was my first real dive into orchestration and Bollywood music.

Though I grew up around Bollywood and Indian music, I had never played, learned, or sung it. It was always familiar and comfortable, but translating it into a Western orchestral setting was an exciting challenge. Now, arranging and orchestrating are a major part of what I do, alongside my own composing.

Yeah, I think at different points in my life, both consciously and subconsciously, it has influenced me. My parents aren’t musicians, but music was always present at home. My dad loves Hindustani and Sufi music, so I grew up listening to Nusrat and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, along with various Qawwali pieces. My youngest brother is a Carnatic musician – a Bharatanatyam dancer and singer – so I was continuously exposed to that as well.

Growing up in a typical Indian household, temple visits also introduced me to Indian music. Though I never had formal lessons, I think my brain naturally tuned into Bollywood, Hindustani, and Indian music in general.

In recent years, I’ve spent more time learning about the art form itself. Many Bollywood musicians may be in commercial music, but they have a deep foundation in tradition. Some of the most successful artists – like Shreya Ghoshal, Shankar Mahadevan, and A.R. Rahman – come from this strong classical background, even if it’s less evident in today’s industry.