DJ Rinaa Shah, popularly known as the Viking Soul, has created a niche for herself by becoming the first female electronic percussionist in India. In this exclusive chat, with The Pioneer, the DJ takes us through her journey of DJing, a musical experience called Totem Tribe, & more.
SHIKHA DUGGAL
Rinaa Shah is a well-known DJ, known as the Viking Soul, and the first female electronic percussionist in India as well. With a remarkable musical career and multiple awards, we had the opportunity to speak with this electronic percussionist in-depth for an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, where she reveals everything!
“Since I was five years old, music has surrounded me. I finished my Bharatnatyam degree at the age of 14, and my Kathak degree at the age of 19. Although music has always played a significant role in my life, I intended to incorporate classical melodies into contemporary electronic songs when I unintentionally followed this path. I use a variety of instruments to produce a unique and varied sound, including the violin, tabla, sitar, African djembe, and more,” says Rinaa. “I was aware that I was a little late to the game when I made the decision to pursue a career as a DJ! However I was determined to study under the greatest, so I registered at the DJ School of Amsterdam after reading up on it and getting referrals from friends. Through this experience, I was able to broaden my horizons, connect with amazing DJs, gain insight into their issues, and increase my self-confidence. I kicked things up a level in 2023 by enrolling in an advanced course at the Point Blank Music School in Ibiza, which gave me even more creative inspiration and helped me reach new heights of confidence.”
Throughout her musical career, Rinaa Shah has performed on famous stages all around the world. She even achieved a noteworthy feat by ranking among the top 10 DJs at the prestigious DJ Amsterdam School. She has received acclaim for her energetic performances, which effortlessly combine electronic percussion with drums, tabla, sitar, and other instruments. “Because I have a background in classical music, I tried to bring back the old sounds by fusing them with contemporary genres in an original way. I was moved to bring back Indian classical music in a modern style, incorporating Afro and electronic elements to appeal to a younger audience, after witnessing its demise,” she says.
With its blend of Afro-house music, intriguing tribal dances, aerial dancers, fire shows, and real African musicians, Totem Tribe now sounds like a fully immersive experience. We were rather curious about what motivated her to design this one-of-a-kind creation! She remembers travelling to Africa in order to acquire some supplies for her restaurant. She was taken to a completely different world by the captivating sounds of African and tribal music that she heard along the way. When she realised that Indian audiences had not yet heard this kind of music, she knew exactly which route she needed to take to expand on it. She has long loved the African vibe, which is now reflected in her music as well as her restaurant. It radiates an infectious, happy energy that evokes beautiful, spiritual emotions that brighten the spirit and encourage movement.
She said, “The idea first sparked at my restaurant, where we embraced a tribal theme,” with an irresistible enthusiasm. “In just one and a half years, we welcomed approximately 250 performers to our events, which had this tribal vibe. Thus, the Totem Tribe was founded in November 2023. I combined Afro-house music, which is becoming more and more popular and has brought a new sound to India, with tribal rhythms to create a distinctive musical experience. My objective is to make this musical the best production in India, providing an immersive experience with tribal culture.” Afro-house music and dance are truly immersing. Eight people work together on this ground-breaking endeavour, providing amazing tribal acts and aerial dancers; a tribal Tulum vibe is created by fire shows and live African musicians playing the Djembe. “With sporadic additions and subtractions, our tribe consists of nine people, but we all have the same goal. What really sets our tribe apart is its cohesiveness. We truly think that we can achieve the pinnacle of achievement if we put our faith in one another and work extremely hard. With the use of tribal fire, compelling acts, and music and dance, we hope to reach as many people as we can and spread joy,” she adds.
“I’ve always thrived on carving out a unique space; that’s just how my mind works, and I love challenges,” she says in her words. “Afro and tribal house is a new genre that I consistently create new music in by fusing with tech and electronic elements. Using different tribal headdresses to enhance the visual experience, I try to take my audience on a journey through my music throughout every performance. Gender differences vanish in those situations; the main focus is on providing individuals with a unique and memorable experience.”
A DJ has the ability to change your attitude, your ideas, and much more. “I really think it’s important to keep inspiring others with my work. Helping others is always my goal, no matter how big or small. My goal is to inspire the confidence to follow their aspirations and open doors for countless women who want to make a difference in the world. I also stressed in my TED Talk that if I could accomplish my goals later in life, there would be no barriers for anybody else to do the same. My daily goal is to get closer to creating this musical endeavour and using our dancing and music to spread love and joy. One day, I hope to play at places all over the world, starting with India. Whether you’re a man or a woman, I believe it’s critical to stand out in a competitive environment. Everyone is attempting to get better or earn more money in this fast-paced environment. That’s why it’s so important to have a distinct voice that uplifts and makes people happy. To all the women out there: Don’t allow anyone to tell you what you can’t accomplish, and don’t be frightened. You can accomplish amazing things if you put in the effort and are determined!” and with that, the Viking Soul concluded.
