Thursday, February 13, 2025

‘Hyd is my place of birth, romantically chained to my heart’

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With a voice that weaves together the threads of East and West, Shriram Alluri is redefining the sound of indie rock. In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, the Hyderabad-born musician opens up about his journey, his inspirations, and the city that shaped him.


Shriram Alluri is not just an indie rock musician and songwriter; he’s a force redefining cross-cultural music. Hailing from Hyderabad, his journey is proof of the universality of music. Growing up immersed in India’s classical melodies, Bollywood hits and Tollywood tunes, his first encounter with rock music as a teenager ignited his creative spark.
Picking up a guitar set him on a path that led to recording his debut album, Man of Truth, at Brighton Electric Studios in 2015.
 With Evari Kosam, a Telugu-language single produced by Grammy-winner Tommaso Colliva, he seamlessly blended Western rock with his roots. This groundbreaking track marked a turning point, allowing him to share a piece of his heritage with global audiences.
Well, after spending over a decade in the UK, Finland and various parts of India, his return to Hyderabad has been a tale of nostalgia, discovery and reckoning with change. “Hyderabad has been treating me with tough love. I was born here, went away for a while, and returned a couple of years ago. It seems the city hasn’t taken kindly to my hiatus. I’m still trying to get my claws into its ground.”
The return, while emotionally grounding, came with its own set of apprehensions. “I needed to be home. Being part of the global indie music space had tested my limits, and I felt like I was floating in space along with my high-flying dreams. Coming back gave me firmer soil to stand on. But some of my apprehensions have proven to be right. The city isn’t as accommodating to my profession as I’d hoped.”
For him, Hyderabad is both familiar and foreign. Having lived in the city from the time of his birth until 10th standard, “Returning feels like being both at home and a stranger in the city all at once. The Hyderabad of my childhood was vastly different. It’s all built up now, but there’s nowhere to go. What hasn’t changed, though, is the essence of home—family and food. The food here, whether home-cooked or from the city’s eateries, is a unique blend of cultures and cuisines. But it’s a gut health hazard,” he adds with a laugh.
Among his fondest memories is a late-night escapade that speaks volumes about his family’s love and the city’s vibrant culinary culture. “When I was nine, I woke my parents up at 10:30 pm, demanding chicken. They were flummoxed but indulged me, taking me to the country club for a late-night feast. It’s a memory I cherish deeply,” he recalls. Professionally, Hyderabad poses significant challenges for an independent musician like him. “The city isn’t built for my profession. There aren’t enough live venues for indie music. It’s up to the artists here to create that scene. However, the obstacles haven’t deterred me. I pursue my work, keeping in mind the Buddhist saying, ‘One isn’t entitled to the fruits of one’s labour.’ The struggle fuels my art,” he says.
He also feels the city could do more to foster intellectual and creative exchange. “I dislike the lack of stimulating conversations and the exchange of ideas between independent minds. Maybe I need to explore more spaces in the city to find those connections,” he reflects. Despite the challenges, His bond with Hyderabad remains unshaken. “It’s my land of birth, romantically chained to my heart,” he says. “But my mind seeks beyond its defining and confining shores.” For him, Hyderabad is both an anchor and a launchpad, a city that grounds him while pushing him to dream beyond its limits.

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