Indo-European singer-songwriter Ridi Oswal, who is becoming a well-known name in the music industry, gets candid with The Pioneer about being surrounded by Indian and western music, her music reflecting Indian culture, and more.
SHIKHA DUGGAL
The 19-year-old Indo-European singer-songwriter Ridi Oswal is becoming a well-known name in the music business. Ridi, who recently signed with ProTunes, captivates a global following by skillfully fusing her Indian roots with modern sounds. She traverses several cultures as the daughter of immigrants, finding comfort in her music.
The singer remembers in an exclusive chat with us, “I’ve always been surrounded by both Indian and Western music. I’m talking about these two aspects of my life when I write songs. Similar to combining spices and sweets, the result is something amazing but unexpected. In my opinion, it is a harmonious fusion that honors diversity and symbolises my life’s journey. My goal is to establish a universal musical language that speaks to individuals from all backgrounds by fusing various ethnic aspects.”
No matter where you are in life or what viewpoints you have accepted, she believes that your ethnicity and family will always remain the same. Your origins and ancestors will never change, thus it’s crucial to maintain a connection to them. It is crucial that we embrace and celebrate it. She further revealed to us that she used to be ashamed of her identity and upbringing when she was younger, but she quickly discovered that she is much more than just her coloruful history.
The songwriter went on, “I don’t know why, but growing up in my class, being Indian used to be a funny stereotype. Kids would make fun of the customs and traditions, which made me want to hide who I was. But now that I realise how diverse and rich our culture is, I hope my music reflects that well.” Playlists on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube feature Ridi’s songs because of their relevant lyrics and modern production. In a short amount of time, her pop hits, like Merry Go Round, Happier, and others, have developed a devoted following on Spotify, with over 65,000 monthly listeners. Ridi’s music transcends genres and leaves a lasting impression on the world of music.
“Realising Guilty Feet was like to present a novel taste to the world. I combined contemporary, appealing beats with the Indian tunes I grew up listening to. There is that electric guitar and tabla combination, which I think goes really nicely together. It was an exploration and appreciating of the subtle differences between traditional and modern aspects; it was almost like opening the door to a chamber where people of all backgrounds are welcome. The key to having Guilty Feet is to love and accept who you are. This song is especially for all the young ladies and girls out there who might be embarrassed to reveal certain parts of themselves and their desires—things we shouldn’t be embarrassed of. Every woman has the right to beauty!”
Beyond music, Ridi co-founded Stop The B, an anti-bullying program, with her sister Vasundhara to raise awareness of emotional and social bullying. By encouraging intervention and motivating survivors to share their tales and erase societal shame, Ridi advocates for active bystanders. To provide some further perspective, let me say this: “My sister and I founded Stop The B because we wanted to help people and change the world. When I was fifteen, I experienced a pretty difficult bullying situation that required me to transfer schools. Like it would any young person, I was severely impacted by verbal and cyberbullying, which was directed at aspects of my identity and general well-being that I was unable to control. It allows young people to express themselves and find support from one another because my sister was there for me through all the highs and lows. Having that emotional support made me realize that there are probably a lot of people who go through similar experiences but don’t have a support system like I do. We decided to take constructive action since we have witnessed the extent to which bullying can harm individuals. Our mission is to build a community where everyone feels secure and supported while also raising awareness and encouraging kindness. It’s about applying our personal lessons to better the lives of others.”
“At the Forum, my messages ranged from talking about the power of kindness and empathy, but also more practical concepts like what classes could be embedded in the school system as a whole to actually educate the young community on how to deal with these situations,” Ridi further said, delving into another fascinating aspect. She also discussed how young people are influenced by TV and social media, and how this can lead them to believe that “bullying” is okay. Discussed the detrimental impacts of television series like Mean Girls. All of the music has the power to unite people and encourage difficult conversations!”
There’s a common belief in many Asian societies that personal desires should not be indulged. It’s a combination of societal expectations, pressure to succeed in school or the workplace, and a constant need to measure oneself against others. It can be quite difficult, particularly in situations where there are generational conflicts or while attempting to find your place in a multicultural society. Though it’s a lot to bear, being aware of these relationships enables us to understand one another more, Ridi gave an explanation.
“Creating my most recent single was a thrilling experience. I combined several musical genres with inspiration from my personal experiences and life. My goal was to produce something that would make them feel something. This song is a reflection of my current self, my journey, and the lessons I’ve encountered. It’s amazing to know that my music is heard by people worldwide. It’s similar like speaking with someone who is thousands of miles away. Every day, this link motivates me. It demonstrates to me the potent ability of music to unite people across boundaries. I want to try out some fresh looks and even collaborate with other artists. There will be some surprises and new sounds for my followers to enjoy. I constantly strive to push myself, pick up new skills, and develop as an artist.”
The 19-year-old Indo-European singer-songwriter Ridi Oswal is becoming a well-known name in the music business. Ridi, who recently signed with ProTunes, captivates a global following by skillfully fusing her Indian roots with modern sounds. She traverses several cultures as the daughter of immigrants, finding comfort in her music.
The singer remembers in an exclusive chat with us, “I’ve always been surrounded by both Indian and Western music. I’m talking about these two aspects of my life when I write songs. Similar to combining spices and sweets, the result is something amazing but unexpected. In my opinion, it is a harmonious fusion that honors diversity and symbolises my life’s journey. My goal is to establish a universal musical language that speaks to individuals from all backgrounds by fusing various ethnic aspects.”
No matter where you are in life or what viewpoints you have accepted, she believes that your ethnicity and family will always remain the same. Your origins and ancestors will never change, thus it’s crucial to maintain a connection to them. It is crucial that we embrace and celebrate it. She further revealed to us that she used to be ashamed of her identity and upbringing when she was younger, but she quickly discovered that she is much more than just her coloruful history.
The songwriter went on, “I don’t know why, but growing up in my class, being Indian used to be a funny stereotype. Kids would make fun of the customs and traditions, which made me want to hide who I was. But now that I realise how diverse and rich our culture is, I hope my music reflects that well.” Playlists on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube feature Ridi’s songs because of their relevant lyrics and modern production. In a short amount of time, her pop hits, like Merry Go Round, Happier, and others, have developed a devoted following on Spotify, with over 65,000 monthly listeners. Ridi’s music transcends genres and leaves a lasting impression on the world of music.
“Realising Guilty Feet was like to present a novel taste to the world. I combined contemporary, appealing beats with the Indian tunes I grew up listening to. There is that electric guitar and tabla combination, which I think goes really nicely together. It was an exploration and appreciating of the subtle differences between traditional and modern aspects; it was almost like opening the door to a chamber where people of all backgrounds are welcome. The key to having Guilty Feet is to love and accept who you are. This song is especially for all the young ladies and girls out there who might be embarrassed to reveal certain parts of themselves and their desires—things we shouldn’t be embarrassed of. Every woman has the right to beauty!”
Beyond music, Ridi co-founded Stop The B, an anti-bullying program, with her sister Vasundhara to raise awareness of emotional and social bullying. By encouraging intervention and motivating survivors to share their tales and erase societal shame, Ridi advocates for active bystanders. To provide some further perspective, let me say this: “My sister and I founded Stop The B because we wanted to help people and change the world. When I was fifteen, I experienced a pretty difficult bullying situation that required me to transfer schools. Like it would any young person, I was severely impacted by verbal and cyberbullying, which was directed at aspects of my identity and general well-being that I was unable to control. It allows young people to express themselves and find support from one another because my sister was there for me through all the highs and lows. Having that emotional support made me realize that there are probably a lot of people who go through similar experiences but don’t have a support system like I do. We decided to take constructive action since we have witnessed the extent to which bullying can harm individuals. Our mission is to build a community where everyone feels secure and supported while also raising awareness and encouraging kindness. It’s about applying our personal lessons to better the lives of others.”
“At the Forum, my messages ranged from talking about the power of kindness and empathy, but also more practical concepts like what classes could be embedded in the school system as a whole to actually educate the young community on how to deal with these situations,” Ridi further said, delving into another fascinating aspect. She also discussed how young people are influenced by TV and social media, and how this can lead them to believe that “bullying” is okay. Discussed the detrimental impacts of television series like Mean Girls. All of the music has the power to unite people and encourage difficult conversations!”
There’s a common belief in many Asian societies that personal desires should not be indulged. It’s a combination of societal expectations, pressure to succeed in school or the workplace, and a constant need to measure oneself against others. It can be quite difficult, particularly in situations where there are generational conflicts or while attempting to find your place in a multicultural society. Though it’s a lot to bear, being aware of these relationships enables us to understand one another more, Ridi gave an explanation.
“Creating my most recent single was a thrilling experience. I combined several musical genres with inspiration from my personal experiences and life. My goal was to produce something that would make them feel something. This song is a reflection of my current self, my journey, and the lessons I’ve encountered. It’s amazing to know that my music is heard by people worldwide. It’s similar like speaking with someone who is thousands of miles away. Every day, this link motivates me. It demonstrates to me the potent ability of music to unite people across boundaries. I want to try out some fresh looks and even collaborate with other artists. There will be some surprises and new sounds for my followers to enjoy. I constantly strive to push myself, pick up new skills, and develop as an artist.”
