In 2018 Prateek Kuhad had a small song — 'cold/mess.' It wasn't in any Bollywood film, there was no big label, no big budget. Just a voice, a guitar, and an upload to Spotify. That song was on Obama's favourite songs list in 2019. From that day India's indie music scene officially arrived on the world map.
Bollywood's Music System — Why Artists Said 'No'
It's important to understand Bollywood's music system. When a film is made, a music director is hired. A singer is hired. Lyrics are written — mostly commercial, catchy, in line with the film's story. The artist's own vision? Mostly irrelevant. Money is paid — but creative freedom isn't. This is exactly why a generation of talented artists chose an independent path.
The Pioneers — Who Made the Path
In indie India's first wave were Parikrama, Indian Ocean, Euphoria, Lucky Ali — who made independent music in the 90s when digital distribution didn't exist. Then came the digital wave — Prateek Kuhad, Ritviz, Armaan Malik (independent projects), Ananya Birla, Dhruv Visvanath, Ankur Tewari. All of them proved that there is an audience without Bollywood too.
Ritviz's story is interesting — his 'Udd Gaye' went viral through a commercial, but he has mostly avoided Bollywood offers. He wanted to protect his artistic identity. 'When you sing for a film — you are bound by that film's context. When you sing for yourself — you can go wherever you want.'
Indie artist, Kavya Mehra"Bollywood offered me an item song. The money was a lot. I said no. That song is not what makes me who I am. My indie listeners have given me more identity with less money."
Digital Revolution — The Democratisation of Distribution
The real revolution in indie music came when Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube put down roots in India. Suddenly an artist didn't need a record label. They could publish their music directly and the whole world could listen. The democratisation of distribution — this is indie music's greatest victory.
Genres Blooming in India
India's indie scene is incredibly diverse. In folk-fusion, artists like Vidya Vox and Coke Studio artists from Pakistan and India are collaborating. In electronic and ambient music, artists like Nucleya have created a new sound of India. In hip-hop, Divine, Naezy, MC Stan (who went mainstream after Bigg Boss but whose roots are independent) told the stories of Mumbai's streets. A new generation in Carnatic jazz fusion is blending Western and Indian classical.
Regional indie is booming too. Punjabi indie (Sidhu Moosewala and Shubh blurred the line between mainstream and indie), Tamil indie (Anirudh's independent projects), Marathi indie which is increasingly popular — all of this together is creating an incredible musical landscape.
Music producer, Tanveer Ali"India has 22 official languages and every language has its own musical tradition. The indie scene has started exploring these traditions. This is happening not on Bollywood's foundation but despite it. That's what makes it exciting."
Live Music Scene — Concerts and Festivals
NH7 Weekender, Magnetic Fields Festival, Ziro Festival of Music, Bacardi NH7 — these indie music festivals are evidence of a thriving live music scene in India. NH7 Weekender now takes place in 10 cities. Tickets sell out easily. The audience is young, engaged, and most importantly — willing to pay for music.
India's indie music scene is currently in an exciting phase — growing, evolving, challenging conventions. Bollywood will always be here, commercial music will always be here. But now there is an alternative — a world where artists make music on their own terms. And those artists are finding world-class audiences. This is the future of India's music.
