July 31, 2025 • 23 mins
The focal point of our discussion revolves around Ritviz Srivastava, a distinguished Indian artist whose musical journey uniquely amalgamates the intricate traditions of Indian classical music with the pulsating energy of electronic dance music. We delve into his remarkable ability to traverse diverse musical landscapes, thereby captivating a global audience with a style that feels simultaneously ancient and avant-garde. Beginning with his formative years in Darbhanga, Bihar, we explore how his upbringing in a musically immersive environment laid the groundwork for his distinctive sound, which continues to evolve and redefine genres. Our dialogue further examines the cultural significance of his meteoric rise, particularly the impact of his breakthrough hit "UD Gay," which served as a catalyst for his international recognition. Ultimately, we seek to understand Ritviz's profound influence on the modern South Asian music scene and his role in bridging cultural divides through his artistry.
Who is
When a classically trained vocalist fuses Indian ragas with thumping electronic beats, something magical happens—and that something is Ritviz.
From uploading tracks in his bedroom to becoming one of India’s most-streamed indie artists, Ritviz has redefined what Indian music sounds like in the digital age. His breakout hit ‘Udd Gaye’ turned into a nationwide anthem, and with every track since, he’s been blurring the lines between heritage and hype.
In this episode, we dive into the journey of a Pune-born artist who’s brought Hindustani classical roots to the EDM main stage. How did a YouTube contest change his life? Why does he write, sing, and produce everything himself? And what does his rise say about the future of independent music in India?
Get ready to explore the bold, genre-bending world of Ritviz—the voice of a new generation that dances to its own beat
A thorough examination of the artist Ritviz Srivastava reveals the intricate tapestry of influences that define his music. Born in Darbhanga, Bihar, in 1996 and raised in Pune, Maharashtra, Ritviz's exposure to diverse musical elements began at a tender age, with his household akin to a conservatory of sound. His father, a tabla player, and his mother, a leading figure in performing arts education, fostered a rich musical environment that laid the groundwork for Ritviz's artistic development. This foundational upbringing is complemented by formal training in the Drupad subgenre of Hindustani classical music from the age of eight, a discipline that demands immense dedication and rigor. However, alongside these traditional influences, Ritviz was equally absorbed in the vibrant landscape of global pop music, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. This duality became the hallmark of his signature sound, merging ancient melodies with contemporary rhythms, resulting in a genre that is both rooted in tradition and refreshingly modern.
The pivotal moment in Ritviz's career came with the release of his single 'UD Gay', which catapulted him into the limelight, showcasing his ability to blend Indian classical elements with electronic beats. The song's success was not merely a product of talent but also the result of strategic exposure, particularly through platforms like AIB, which significantly amplified his reach. The subsequent recognition he garnered, including features on prestigious lists such as Forbes India's 30 under 30, marked a transformative period in his career, establishing him as a formidable force in the music industry. Ritviz's music transcends mere entertainment; it is a cultural phenomenon that resonates with audiences on a global scale, representing a new wave of South Asian artistry that challenges conventional boundaries.
As we delve deeper into the evolution of Ritviz's artistry, it becomes evident that his journey is characterized by an...
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Okay, who is that artist?
You know, the one who justeffortlessly seems to bridge these
completely different musical worlds.
You've got the reallyintricate, deep traditions of Indian
classical music, right.
And then boom.
The sort of pulsating globalenergy of electronic dance music.
It's a fascinating mix.
And who's taken this distinct,like truly homegrown sound from India
(00:24):
and just launched it onto theglobal stage?
Captivating millions with agenre bending style that feels, I
don't know, both ancient andtotally cutting edge at the same
time.
If you're thinking Ritviz,you're spot on.
Exactly.
If you're thinking aboutRitviz Srivastava, then yes, you
are absolutely tuned in to theright frequency today.
He's such a dynamic force.
Totally.
So today we're doing a realdeep dive, an immersive one into
(00:47):
the world of this phenomenalIndian singer, songwriter, electronic
musician, producer, dj.
He does it all.
He really does.
It's an exciting one to unpack.
You ready?
Because we're going to unpackthe layers of his unique sound.
That fusion of Indian pop,edm, classical, modern pop, to really
redefine things.
No question.
(01:07):
It's more than just music.
It's like a whole new sonic landscape.
So our mission today, explorethat whole journey from his earliest
roots, his unconventionalapproach to making music to, through
that meteoric rise, gettinginternational recognition, and really
try to understand the broadercultural impact he's making.
(01:29):
Let's dive in.
Yeah, let's do it.
It's exciting because when youstart peeling back the layers on
an artist like Ritviz, youfind someone who just completely
defies easy categorization.
Totally.
His story isn't just about hisown success.
It's bigger.
It's a testament to how you can.
Blur creative boundaries, howthose influences that.
(01:49):
Seem so different, exactly howthey can merge into something totally
new.
And how just being authentic,truly authentic, can resonate globally
in some pretty surprising ways.
So we're going to trace thatpath, understand the foundations,
you know, what shaped thatdistinctive sound.
The building blocks.
Yeah, the building blocks andthose key moments that just propelled
him into the spotlight, allwhile exploring his own thoughts
(02:11):
on his craft and like his purpose.
Okay, let's start right at thebeginning then.
Because his origins, theyreally do set the stage for everything
that came after.
Absolutely.
Foundation.
Ritviz Srivastava, born inDarbhanga, Bihar, July 24, 1996.
Which makes him what, 29 as ofJuly 2025.
Right.
(02:31):
Still young.
Incredibly young.
When you think abouteverything he's done already, it
really Emphasizes that he grewup mostly in Pune, Maharashtra, in
Pune.
And it becomes so clear soquickly that his home environment
wasn't just a house.
It was like a living,breathing music school.
A conservatory, almost.
That's a great way to put it.
(02:51):
And what's fascinating thereis how that early, constant exposure
to these deep classical structures.
Right, the serious stuff.
Yeah, the serious stuff met,like, head on with the really accessible
rhythmic sounds of global popthat were everywhere.
VH1 hip hop.
Exactly.
And that fusion right therecreated this unique artistic blueprint.
It became his signature later on.
(03:12):
And his parents were key tothis, Right?
Wow.
Absolutely.
Instrumental.
His father, Pranay Prasoon, heworks in banking foreign exchange
at icici, but he also playedthe tabla.
Ah, okay.
So rhythm was there.
Rhythm was definitely there.
And his mother, Anvita Poorti,she was the head of the department
of Performing Arts at DelhiPublic School in Putin.
Wow.
(03:32):
Head of performing arts.
Yeah.
So you can just imagine, right?
Constant early immersion in music.
It wasn't just background noise.
It was like the fabric of his childhood.
This rich tapestry of soundshaping how he heard things right
from the start.
That's so powerful.
And it wasn't just hearing itpassively, was it?
He got formal training superyoung, right?
(03:53):
Remarkably young.
He started learning music atjust eight years old.
Eight?
Yeah.
And crucially, like you said,it wasn't just banging on a piano.
It was rigorous formalclassical training under Uday Pawalkar.
Yes, the esteemed UdayPawalkar in the Drupad subgenre of
Hindustani music.
Okay, can you unpack Drupad a bit?
(04:14):
Because that sounds intense.
It is intense.
Drupad is one of the oldest,most profound forms of Hindustani
classical.
Deeply rooted in spiritualmeditative practices.
It demands incredibly rigorousvocal training, focus on purity,
intricate development ofragas, talas.
(04:35):
It's not for the faint of heart.
Definitely requires discipline.
Immense discipline,dedication, a really deep understanding.
So learning that from age 8,it says a lot.
It really does.
And it speaks to hisprecociousness too, because apparently
he composed his first song at 11.
11?
Yeah.
Not just noodling around afull song.
(04:55):
That's a real creative impulseshowing up super early.
Like an innate connection.
Totally.
And in this early groupodtraining, it's absolutely crucial.
Like, you can't understand hisunique style without it.
He's talked about experiencingthis very core opposite set of music
influences around age 6 or 7.
So even before the formaltraining started.
Seems like it.
(05:16):
Or right around then.
So on one hand, he's deep inthis Structured ancient world of
Indian classical.
Learning the complex forms.
Exactly.
Nuances, improvisation.
And on the other hand, likelots of kids, he's just absorbing
VH1, top 40 pop hits, hip hop,all that global sound.
And he wasn't trying to blend them.
(05:36):
No, not consciously.
He says it was completelysubconscious, just happening organically
in his young mind.
His brain's processingcenturies old melodies alongside,
you know, whatever was big onMTV or VH1.
No strategy.
That's kind of mind blowing tothink about these two totally different
sonic universes just coexisting.
Yeah.
Like two languages his mindlearned simultaneously and somehow
(05:59):
started to translate between.
And the result, he calls itvery bass oriented.
Yeah, very bass orientedmusical format, but infused with
very Indian classical and desi.
Content, which sounds almostcontradictory, but when.
You hear it, it just works.
It's compelling.
He's clear, right?
This wasn't some pre plannedformatted sound he engineered.
(06:19):
Not at all.
He says it was just himexpressing himself freely, exploring
the sounds that resonated with him.
And it just happened that thishonest expression felt unconventional
and exciting to people.
So he just made the music thatfelt true and the world kind of caught
up to its originality.
Precisely.
It really shows that organicevolution, not some manufactured
(06:42):
direction.
He wasn't trying to fit agenre, he was basically creating
one.
Yeah.
Drawing from his own uniquemusical journey.
And that authenticity, that'sa thread you see running through
his whole career.
It's core to who he is as an artist.
Okay.
So that early life, thetraining, the subconscious blending,
that laid the foundation.
Absolutely.
The groundwork.
(07:02):
But then we need to talk aboutthe moment, the absolute game changer,
the thing that just shot himinto the public eye.
Yeah, the catalyst.
He'd released an EP before, right?
Juve in 2016.
He did, yeah.
Juve.
Important, but definitely a precursor.
Because the real catalyst, theundeniable one, was UD Gay.
Oh, absolutely.
UD Gay.
That song, if we connect it tothe bigger picture, like you said,
(07:24):
it just perfectly shows thepower of a few things.
Talent competitions for one.
Right.
The Bacardi House party sessions.
Exactly.
2017.
Organized by AIB.
AIB?
The Comedy Collective.
They were huge.
Huge online reach, especiallywith young Indians.
And crucially, co organized by Nuclea.
Nuclea, the architect ofIndian electronic music.
(07:46):
Basically, pretty much.
His bass heavy sound hadalready galvanized a generation.
So winning that competition,it wasn't just.
Winning, it was an endorsement.
A massive endorsement.
Like a symbolic passing of thetorch from these established giants
to this new kid signaled areal shift.
And then the exposure thatcame after winning.
That was key.
AIB featured UD Gay on theirofficial YouTube channel.
(08:09):
And the reach was justastronomical back then.
Absolutely massive.
A cultural powerhouse.
So that one feature justmultiplied the song's visibility
like crazy overnight, basically.
Yeah.
Ridviz himself said it.
Life changed overnight afterthat release in December 2017.
It wasn't a slow climb.
Nope.
A sudden seismic shift in hiswhole career.
A real lightning in a bottle moment.
(08:29):
Wow.
And the ripples just spreadout from there.
Right.
Beyond just music fans.
Immediately widespreadnational recognition came super fast.
He got on the Forbes India 30under 30 list, which is a big deal.
Shows impact beyond music intobusiness culture.
Totally.
It wasn't just about the songs anymore.
It was about him as thisyoung, innovative force.
(08:50):
A symbol of a new sound, a new wave.
And he was on Grazia India'scool list too.
In 2021 on a digital cover.
Yeah, that really cements hisstatus as a cultural icon.
Right?
Someone shaping trends,influencing pop culture, defining
a modern look and feel for a generation.
Yeah.
Udge wasn't just openingdoors, it blasted them wide open.
(09:12):
No question.
And it was clear he wasn'tjust a one hit wonder.
Absolutely not.
He had staying power, anevolving presence.
And his discography since thenreally shows that ongoing growth.
That momentum from Udgeclearly set the stage.
But yeah, how he built on itis fascinating.
It shows real intent.
It does.
It wasn't just luck.
So after you've.
In 2016, his second EP wasVEED three years later and interestingly,
(09:35):
Ud Gay came out before VEED asa single, which kind of shows how
that hit paved the way, built anticipation.
Good point.
Strategic.
Then between 2019 and 2021,another EP, Dev.
Yeah, and that was preceded byLiji, which was also pretty popular,
right?
Liji, Another catchy one.
It shows this pattern, doesn't it?
Building buzz with singlesbefore dropping a bigger project.
(09:58):
Feeding the audience.
Thoughtful.
Carefully crafting thesebodies of work.
Yeah, it shows him maturity.
A deliberate sculpting of his story.
But maybe the most significantrelease, personally Speaking, was
his first full album, Mimi.
Ah yes, Mimi.
Announced July 2022.
Released September 2022.
And what makes Mimi sospecial, so poignant, is how personal
(10:20):
it is.
It's named after his mother.
Named after and dedicated tohis mother and V the party.
And here's the reallyremarkable part.
She actually helped co writesome of the songs.
Wow.
Seriously.
Seriously.
Which adds this incrediblelayer of intimacy of meaning.
A real family affair, a shared creation.
You don't see that often.
No, you really don't.
Especially Maybe in electronic music.
(10:41):
It grounds the album insomething so real and heartfelt.
Totally gives it thisemotional weight.
And he didn't just drop it and disappear.
He toured it, the Mimi album,launched tour throughout 2023.
Taking that personal projectright to the people.
Yeah, but it's not just hissolo stuff or even these family collabs.
He's also known for greatremixes and just a huge range of
(11:02):
collaborations.
He seems very open to workingwith others.
Definitely his willingness toremix and collaborate, it says a
lot about his versatility, hisopenness, his collaborative spirit.
Like that early remix he didof Nuclea's track Lights.
Exactly.
From Nuclea's Raja Baja albumback in 2016.
That wasn't just a random remix.
It felt like a significant nodbetween two key figures in that scene
(11:26):
building connections early on.
Right.
A connection that would leadto more later.
And he took that collaborativething international pretty quickly
too.
Like the major laser remix.
Oh yeah.
2019, the Diwali version ofLight It Up.
And what was cool there was.
It wasn't just his beat.
Right.
He put his own voice on it.
Exactly.
Uniquely RITV's.
He featured his own voice, his production.
(11:46):
He basically integratedhimself into the track.
Not just a remixer, but like anew part of the song itself.
That's a different level of remixing.
It is then May 2020, he's onthe remix of Lauv's Modern Loneliness.
Right.
Lauv, another biginternational pop name.
So these weren't just randomone offs, they were strategic moves.
Showing he could blend hissound with global artists, proving
(12:08):
his versatility, his appeal.
And then full on collaborativeprojects too.
Like the EP with Nuclea.
Yes, Berat 2021, a four trackEP they did together.
Highly anticipated.
And wasn't there somethingabout NFTs with that release?
Yes, that's what was really fascinating.
Bharat came with a series ofNFTs back in 2021.
That was pretty early forartists embracing NFT.
(12:30):
It really was for RITVAs tojump on that.
Then it wasn't just a gimmick,it showed.
He was really thinking abouthow technology like Blockchain could
open up new ways.
To release music, connect with fans.
Exactly.
Digital collectibles, maybemore artist control, new revenue
streams.
He was looking ahead, not juststicking to the old models.
So, okay, this huge list ofcollabs, remixes, what does it tell
(12:53):
us about him as an artist?
He's clearly not just stayingin one lane.
Not at all.
He's actively pushingboundaries, working with hip.
Hop guys like Seed.
Himote Yep.
Anshola, Shalane Morshni.
With sick flip producers likeKaran Khanchik.
Khansh Kanana, it feels likehe's constantly, almost restlessly,
taking his signature soundinto new territory.
So how does he do that?
(13:14):
How does an artist keep theirown distinct sound while doing so
many diverse collaborations?
That's the tricky part, isn't it?
It is.
And Ritviz seems to manage itby really infusing his core sound,
that bass, heavy, Indian,classical influenced vibe, into everything
he touches.
So he doesn't get lost in theother artist's style.
Exactly.
He brings his flavor to it.
(13:34):
He acts like a catalystcreating something new, but it still
feels recognizably Ritviz.
And his latest single,merbonne, released June 2024.
The one with Hasan Rahim, thePakistani singer.
Yeah, that's a perfect example.
Shows his reach acrossborders, his influence in the wider
South Asian scene.
It fosters this sense ofregional connection through music.
(13:55):
It's amazing.
Okay, so moving out of thestudio onto the stage, onto screens.
It's incredible how his musicisn't just on playlists.
It's breaking into global filmand tv, really putting that Indian
sound on the map for sure.
And he commands those livestages, major festivals all over
the world.
And in India, like EDC, LasVeg, Vegas.
Yep.
Sunburn, Bacarding, N87,Weekender, Zumalan, YouTube Fan Fest.
(14:19):
These are big, high profileplatforms, small clubs.
Not at all.
He's up there with globalsuperstars, holding his own shows.
His universal appeal, hisstage presence.
And that moment in 2019,opening for Katy Perry and Dua Lipa
in Mumbai.
Huge milestone that reallyunderlined his shift to bigger international
stages at the OnePlus Music Festival.
(14:40):
Right.
It was a clear signal hewasn't just an Indian phenomenon
anymore.
He was a global talent sharingstages with the biggest pop names.
A real turning point for hisinternational recognition.
And this highlights a biggershift, doesn't it?
Global media starting torecognize and celebrate South Asian
talent more.
Absolutely.
A welcome shift, recognizingthe diversity, the richness, the
(15:01):
resonance these sounds havewith a wider audience.
And his music keeps popping upon soundtracks too.
Like for Comicstone.
Yeah.
He did the title track forComicston, the Amazon prime comedy
show.
Huge in India.
And Sunto, isn't that Netflixseries mismatched?
These placements are smart.
They're not just background noise.
They introduce his sound topeople who might not normally seek
(15:23):
out, you know, electronicIndian pop.
Broadens his reach organically.
But the biggest one, the realcultural moment, had to be Mrs. Marvel,
undoubtedly.
Ritvis himself called it anabsolutely weird wow moment.
Having his music in a Marvel series.
Which tracks were they again?
Sage, Tani, Hawa and Abeji allfeatured prominently.
And Missing Marvel is hugeglobal phenomenon.
(15:46):
Mcu.
And it brought South Asianrepresentation right to the forefront
of mainstream entertainment.
Exactly.
So for his music to be chosenfor that platform, it's a massive
endorsement of its globalresonance, its cultural relevance.
Yeah, he wasn't kidding aboutthe wow moment.
Yeah.
But he also said the biggerthing wasn't just about him.
Right.
He highlighted the showcasingof South Asian sounds on that huge
(16:08):
stage.
His quote was powerful.
This is the sound of modernIndia, modern Pakistan.
Yeah, that just nails it.
It connects his music to thisbroader cultural identity, this contemporary
representation happening globally.
It's more than entertainment.
It's a cultural statement.
It's not just a song playing.
It's like an anthem of recognition.
(16:28):
The sound of a whole region evolving.
Exactly.
It's not just a success story,it's what his success represents
for the region's musicheritage and its future.
His music in Mrs. Marvelwasn't just the soundtrack.
It was like an anthem for anew generation.
Bridging cultures, showing offthese rich, diverse modern sounds.
Art, culture, global media,all coming together beautifully.
(16:50):
Okay, so we've talked aboutthe journey, the impact, the resonance.
Let's shift gears a bit.
Let's dive into the artisthimself, his philosophy, his process,
how he sees things.
The man behind the music.
It sounds like he has a reallyrobust way of dealing with feedback.
Even criticism isn't seen asjust negative.
(17:10):
Yeah, more like engagement, ameasure of impact.
So how does that mindset helphim last in an industry that can
be, well, pretty brutal?
That's such a key question forany artist, isn't it?
How do you tell constructivecriticism from just noise?
And how does staying authenticbecome your shield?
Right.
Ritviz has this wonderfullyunconventional approach to actually
(17:30):
making music.
He describes himself workinghorizontal here with my laptop, often
just at home.
Horizontal, like lying down?
Could be.
Or just relax, maybe on a couch.
He playfully calls it hisideal day of a professional musician.
It's very relatable, very downto earth.
Yeah.
Not the image of some hugefancy studio.
Exactly.
It's not about the gear, it'sabout this direct, intimate connection
(17:53):
with his tools suggests theart comes from within, not from the
surroundings.
It's striking, that image,horizontal with my laptop, so different.
But that unfiltered approach,it probably attracts naysayers.
Right?
People who don't get the genrebending stuff for sure.
Sometimes even outright hate,as he calls it.
So how does he handle that?
(18:14):
The harsh opinions?
He has this remarkably mature philosophy.
He never takes anything toopersonally, which.
Is easier said than done,especially when your work is so personal.
Incredibly hard.
But his key insight here isreally profound for any creator.
He says the day people stoptalking is when it gets not causing
(18:36):
impact.
Wow.
So the conversation itself,even if critical, means it's landing
somehow.
Exactly.
His focus isn't on gettingeveryone to love it or avoiding criticism.
It's on getting attentionhonestly, and being true to his work.
The fact that people aretalking, even arguing, means it's
resonating, sparking something.
It's about engagement, notjust praise.
Totally.
(18:57):
His core agenda, as he puts itvery simply, is just to be honest
with what I'm doing and do itin the hopes that people also connect
to it.
He acknowledges it's been avery, very epic five years for him.
You can say that again.
Recognizing the scale of it,but always coming back to that honesty.
It seems like his guiding principle.
And that honesty seems toextend to how he views production
(19:17):
tools, too.
Like auto tune.
Yeah, that's a reallyinteresting point.
He doesn't see it as a crutch,but more like an instrument.
A way to shape sound.
Exactly.
Which is a nuanced take,because autotune gets so much flack.
It really does.
But how he frames it, it's notabout compromising artistry.
It's a deliberate choice forhis specific sonic vision.
(19:38):
It really makes you rethinkwhat authenticity means in modern
production.
So what does he actually sayabout it?
He calls it a beautiful way offormatting the sound.
Like a tool for texture.
Like a painter's brush.
Okay.
He says it's a very effectivetool when it's used for the right
reasons, emphasizingpurposeful use, not just slapping
it on everything.
And he clarifies his goal.
(20:00):
He's not trying to be the greatest.
Singer, even though he learnedclassical singing for 10 years.
That Geiki.
Exactly.
He has the training, but hisaim isn't vocal gymnastics.
He uses tools like autotunebecause he wants a song to sonically
sound a certain way.
So the aesthetic dictates the tool.
Precisely.
It's part of his creativepalette, not a fix for a weakness.
(20:22):
It shows real clarity of vision.
It's so clear talking aboutthis that for him, music is way more
than just a job or fame.
It feels like a personalevolution, a spiritual path, almost.
He speaks about it in exactlythose terms.
He describes the creativeprocess itself as spiritual in nature.
And he Says he actuallydiscovered myself while making the
(20:45):
music, which is justincredibly powerful art, revealing
the self.
And if we connect that to thebigger picture, it really suggests
that true artistic fulfillment.
It might not be about theexternal stuff, the charts, the sales,
the awards, the usual metrics.
Yeah.
It's more about the internalgrowth, the self discovery that making
stuff fosters.
(21:05):
And he talks about his collegeexperience being unconventional too.
Right.
This is fascinating.
He didn't go to a traditionalcollege, but he feels, feels he learned
so much about life and likepeople because of the music he made
while being at home.
So his home studio was hisuniversity essentially.
Yeah.
His college.
A unique self driven learning space.
It really champions that ideaof passion fueled education over
(21:29):
rigid structures, especiallyfor artists.
That's a huge takeaway foranyone listening challenges our ideas
about education for sure.
And he expresses so muchgratitude for it.
Feeling so lucky that I wasallowed and I was able to make the
music that I make today.
Yeah.
It's not just talent, it'sopportunity, freedom, support.
Exactly.
(21:49):
And ultimately his measure of success.
It just clicks through all the noise.
It puts everything in perspective.
He says it's not about thenumbers, it's not about what this
does for you professionally.
So what is it about for him?
Fundamentally it's about whatkind of a person it makes you.
Wow.
It underscores that wholetransformative personal journey that's
tangled up with his art.
(22:09):
It's a holistic view.
Personal growth, integrity,self discovery.
That's the real win overcommercial success.
Such a powerful statementresonates way beyond just music.
And that really brings us fullcircle, doesn't it?
Rit Viz Srivastava's journey,so unique, so inspiring.
From that kid soaking upclassical and pop simultaneously
to this global artistcelebrated not just for his sound,
(22:31):
but for really putting SouthAsian music on the world stage in
a new way.
Yeah.
And his philosophy,prioritizing honesty, integrity,
impact over those conventional metrics.
It's just an inspiring modelfor any creator really, in any field.
He truly embodies that ideathat art is this continuous journey
(22:51):
of finding yourself.
And when you express thathonestly with integrity, the impact
can be huge.
It crosses borders, genres,cultures, connects on a really human
level.
So as you listening, reflecton Ritviz's incredible story, Durbanga
to Dua Lipa.
Basically shaping the sound ofmodern South Asia in Marvel.
Maybe ponder this.
How might embracing thoseseemingly contradictory or unconventional
(23:13):
influences in your own life,like Ritviz did with classical and
pop, lead to something trulyunique and impactful for you?
That's a great question.
What stands out most vividlyto you about his journey?
And maybe how does hisperspective challenge your own ideas
about what creativity and evensuccess really mean in this crazy,
noisy world we live in?
Okay, who is that artist?
You know, the one who justeffortlessly seems to bridge these
completely different musical worlds.
You've got the reallyintricate, deep traditions of Indian
classical music, right.
And then boom.
The sort of pulsating globalenergy of electronic dance music.
It's a fascinating mix.
And who's taken this distinct,like truly homegrown sound from India
(00:24):
and just launched it onto theglobal stage?
Captivating millions with agenre bending style that feels, I
don't know, both ancient andtotally cutting edge at the same
time.
If you're thinking Ritviz,you're spot on.
Exactly.
If you're thinking aboutRitviz Srivastava, then yes, you
are absolutely tuned in to theright frequency today.
He's such a dynamic force.
Totally.
So today we're doing a realdeep dive, an immersive one into
(00:47):
the world of this phenomenalIndian singer, songwriter, electronic
musician, producer, dj.
He does it all.
He really does.
It's an exciting one to unpack.
You ready?
Because we're going to unpackthe layers of his unique sound.
That fusion of Indian pop,edm, classical, modern pop, to really
redefine things.
No question.
(01:07):
It's more than just music.
It's like a whole new sonic landscape.
So our mission today, explorethat whole journey from his earliest
roots, his unconventionalapproach to making music to, through
that meteoric rise, gettinginternational recognition, and really
try to understand the broadercultural impact he's making.
(01:29):
Let's dive in.
Yeah, let's do it.
It's exciting because when youstart peeling back the layers on
an artist like Ritviz, youfind someone who just completely
defies easy categorization.
Totally.
His story isn't just about hisown success.
It's bigger.
It's a testament to how you can.
Blur creative boundaries, howthose influences that.
(01:49):
Seem so different, exactly howthey can merge into something totally
new.
And how just being authentic,truly authentic, can resonate globally
in some pretty surprising ways.
So we're going to trace thatpath, understand the foundations,
you know, what shaped thatdistinctive sound.
The building blocks.
Yeah, the building blocks andthose key moments that just propelled
him into the spotlight, allwhile exploring his own thoughts
(02:11):
on his craft and like his purpose.
Okay, let's start right at thebeginning then.
Because his origins, theyreally do set the stage for everything
that came after.
Absolutely.
Foundation.
Ritviz Srivastava, born inDarbhanga, Bihar, July 24, 1996.
Which makes him what, 29 as ofJuly 2025.
Right.
(02:31):
Still young.
Incredibly young.
When you think abouteverything he's done already, it
really Emphasizes that he grewup mostly in Pune, Maharashtra, in
Pune.
And it becomes so clear soquickly that his home environment
wasn't just a house.
It was like a living,breathing music school.
A conservatory, almost.
That's a great way to put it.
(02:51):
And what's fascinating thereis how that early, constant exposure
to these deep classical structures.
Right, the serious stuff.
Yeah, the serious stuff met,like, head on with the really accessible
rhythmic sounds of global popthat were everywhere.
VH1 hip hop.
Exactly.
And that fusion right therecreated this unique artistic blueprint.
It became his signature later on.
(03:12):
And his parents were key tothis, Right?
Wow.
Absolutely.
Instrumental.
His father, Pranay Prasoon, heworks in banking foreign exchange
at icici, but he also playedthe tabla.
Ah, okay.
So rhythm was there.
Rhythm was definitely there.
And his mother, Anvita Poorti,she was the head of the department
of Performing Arts at DelhiPublic School in Putin.
Wow.
(03:32):
Head of performing arts.
Yeah.
So you can just imagine, right?
Constant early immersion in music.
It wasn't just background noise.
It was like the fabric of his childhood.
This rich tapestry of soundshaping how he heard things right
from the start.
That's so powerful.
And it wasn't just hearing itpassively, was it?
He got formal training superyoung, right?
(03:53):
Remarkably young.
He started learning music atjust eight years old.
Eight?
Yeah.
And crucially, like you said,it wasn't just banging on a piano.
It was rigorous formalclassical training under Uday Pawalkar.
Yes, the esteemed UdayPawalkar in the Drupad subgenre of
Hindustani music.
Okay, can you unpack Drupad a bit?
(04:14):
Because that sounds intense.
It is intense.
Drupad is one of the oldest,most profound forms of Hindustani
classical.
Deeply rooted in spiritualmeditative practices.
It demands incredibly rigorousvocal training, focus on purity,
intricate development ofragas, talas.
(04:35):
It's not for the faint of heart.
Definitely requires discipline.
Immense discipline,dedication, a really deep understanding.
So learning that from age 8,it says a lot.
It really does.
And it speaks to hisprecociousness too, because apparently
he composed his first song at 11.
11?
Yeah.
Not just noodling around afull song.
(04:55):
That's a real creative impulseshowing up super early.
Like an innate connection.
Totally.
And in this early groupodtraining, it's absolutely crucial.
Like, you can't understand hisunique style without it.
He's talked about experiencingthis very core opposite set of music
influences around age 6 or 7.
So even before the formaltraining started.
Seems like it.
(05:16):
Or right around then.
So on one hand, he's deep inthis Structured ancient world of
Indian classical.
Learning the complex forms.
Exactly.
Nuances, improvisation.
And on the other hand, likelots of kids, he's just absorbing
VH1, top 40 pop hits, hip hop,all that global sound.
And he wasn't trying to blend them.
(05:36):
No, not consciously.
He says it was completelysubconscious, just happening organically
in his young mind.
His brain's processingcenturies old melodies alongside,
you know, whatever was big onMTV or VH1.
No strategy.
That's kind of mind blowing tothink about these two totally different
sonic universes just coexisting.
Yeah.
Like two languages his mindlearned simultaneously and somehow
(05:59):
started to translate between.
And the result, he calls itvery bass oriented.
Yeah, very bass orientedmusical format, but infused with
very Indian classical and desi.
Content, which sounds almostcontradictory, but when.
You hear it, it just works.
It's compelling.
He's clear, right?
This wasn't some pre plannedformatted sound he engineered.
(06:19):
Not at all.
He says it was just himexpressing himself freely, exploring
the sounds that resonated with him.
And it just happened that thishonest expression felt unconventional
and exciting to people.
So he just made the music thatfelt true and the world kind of caught
up to its originality.
Precisely.
It really shows that organicevolution, not some manufactured
(06:42):
direction.
He wasn't trying to fit agenre, he was basically creating
one.
Yeah.
Drawing from his own uniquemusical journey.
And that authenticity, that'sa thread you see running through
his whole career.
It's core to who he is as an artist.
Okay.
So that early life, thetraining, the subconscious blending,
that laid the foundation.
Absolutely.
The groundwork.
(07:02):
But then we need to talk aboutthe moment, the absolute game changer,
the thing that just shot himinto the public eye.
Yeah, the catalyst.
He'd released an EP before, right?
Juve in 2016.
He did, yeah.
Juve.
Important, but definitely a precursor.
Because the real catalyst, theundeniable one, was UD Gay.
Oh, absolutely.
UD Gay.
That song, if we connect it tothe bigger picture, like you said,
(07:24):
it just perfectly shows thepower of a few things.
Talent competitions for one.
Right.
The Bacardi House party sessions.
Exactly.
2017.
Organized by AIB.
AIB?
The Comedy Collective.
They were huge.
Huge online reach, especiallywith young Indians.
And crucially, co organized by Nuclea.
Nuclea, the architect ofIndian electronic music.
(07:46):
Basically, pretty much.
His bass heavy sound hadalready galvanized a generation.
So winning that competition,it wasn't just.
Winning, it was an endorsement.
A massive endorsement.
Like a symbolic passing of thetorch from these established giants
to this new kid signaled areal shift.
And then the exposure thatcame after winning.
That was key.
AIB featured UD Gay on theirofficial YouTube channel.
(08:09):
And the reach was justastronomical back then.
Absolutely massive.
A cultural powerhouse.
So that one feature justmultiplied the song's visibility
like crazy overnight, basically.
Yeah.
Ridviz himself said it.
Life changed overnight afterthat release in December 2017.
It wasn't a slow climb.
Nope.
A sudden seismic shift in hiswhole career.
A real lightning in a bottle moment.
(08:29):
Wow.
And the ripples just spreadout from there.
Right.
Beyond just music fans.
Immediately widespreadnational recognition came super fast.
He got on the Forbes India 30under 30 list, which is a big deal.
Shows impact beyond music intobusiness culture.
Totally.
It wasn't just about the songs anymore.
It was about him as thisyoung, innovative force.
(08:50):
A symbol of a new sound, a new wave.
And he was on Grazia India'scool list too.
In 2021 on a digital cover.
Yeah, that really cements hisstatus as a cultural icon.
Right?
Someone shaping trends,influencing pop culture, defining
a modern look and feel for a generation.
Yeah.
Udge wasn't just openingdoors, it blasted them wide open.
(09:12):
No question.
And it was clear he wasn'tjust a one hit wonder.
Absolutely not.
He had staying power, anevolving presence.
And his discography since thenreally shows that ongoing growth.
That momentum from Udgeclearly set the stage.
But yeah, how he built on itis fascinating.
It shows real intent.
It does.
It wasn't just luck.
So after you've.
In 2016, his second EP wasVEED three years later and interestingly,
(09:35):
Ud Gay came out before VEED asa single, which kind of shows how
that hit paved the way, built anticipation.
Good point.
Strategic.
Then between 2019 and 2021,another EP, Dev.
Yeah, and that was preceded byLiji, which was also pretty popular,
right?
Liji, Another catchy one.
It shows this pattern, doesn't it?
Building buzz with singlesbefore dropping a bigger project.
(09:58):
Feeding the audience.
Thoughtful.
Carefully crafting thesebodies of work.
Yeah, it shows him maturity.
A deliberate sculpting of his story.
But maybe the most significantrelease, personally Speaking, was
his first full album, Mimi.
Ah yes, Mimi.
Announced July 2022.
Released September 2022.
And what makes Mimi sospecial, so poignant, is how personal
(10:20):
it is.
It's named after his mother.
Named after and dedicated tohis mother and V the party.
And here's the reallyremarkable part.
She actually helped co writesome of the songs.
Wow.
Seriously.
Seriously.
Which adds this incrediblelayer of intimacy of meaning.
A real family affair, a shared creation.
You don't see that often.
No, you really don't.
Especially Maybe in electronic music.
(10:41):
It grounds the album insomething so real and heartfelt.
Totally gives it thisemotional weight.
And he didn't just drop it and disappear.
He toured it, the Mimi album,launched tour throughout 2023.
Taking that personal projectright to the people.
Yeah, but it's not just hissolo stuff or even these family collabs.
He's also known for greatremixes and just a huge range of
(11:02):
collaborations.
He seems very open to workingwith others.
Definitely his willingness toremix and collaborate, it says a
lot about his versatility, hisopenness, his collaborative spirit.
Like that early remix he didof Nuclea's track Lights.
Exactly.
From Nuclea's Raja Baja albumback in 2016.
That wasn't just a random remix.
It felt like a significant nodbetween two key figures in that scene
(11:26):
building connections early on.
Right.
A connection that would leadto more later.
And he took that collaborativething international pretty quickly
too.
Like the major laser remix.
Oh yeah.
2019, the Diwali version ofLight It Up.
And what was cool there was.
It wasn't just his beat.
Right.
He put his own voice on it.
Exactly.
Uniquely RITV's.
He featured his own voice, his production.
(11:46):
He basically integratedhimself into the track.
Not just a remixer, but like anew part of the song itself.
That's a different level of remixing.
It is then May 2020, he's onthe remix of Lauv's Modern Loneliness.
Right.
Lauv, another biginternational pop name.
So these weren't just randomone offs, they were strategic moves.
Showing he could blend hissound with global artists, proving
(12:08):
his versatility, his appeal.
And then full on collaborativeprojects too.
Like the EP with Nuclea.
Yes, Berat 2021, a four trackEP they did together.
Highly anticipated.
And wasn't there somethingabout NFTs with that release?
Yes, that's what was really fascinating.
Bharat came with a series ofNFTs back in 2021.
That was pretty early forartists embracing NFT.
(12:30):
It really was for RITVAs tojump on that.
Then it wasn't just a gimmick,it showed.
He was really thinking abouthow technology like Blockchain could
open up new ways.
To release music, connect with fans.
Exactly.
Digital collectibles, maybemore artist control, new revenue
streams.
He was looking ahead, not juststicking to the old models.
So, okay, this huge list ofcollabs, remixes, what does it tell
(12:53):
us about him as an artist?
He's clearly not just stayingin one lane.
Not at all.
He's actively pushingboundaries, working with hip.
Hop guys like Seed.
Himote Yep.
Anshola, Shalane Morshni.
With sick flip producers likeKaran Khanchik.
Khansh Kanana, it feels likehe's constantly, almost restlessly,
taking his signature soundinto new territory.
So how does he do that?
(13:14):
How does an artist keep theirown distinct sound while doing so
many diverse collaborations?
That's the tricky part, isn't it?
It is.
And Ritviz seems to manage itby really infusing his core sound,
that bass, heavy, Indian,classical influenced vibe, into everything
he touches.
So he doesn't get lost in theother artist's style.
Exactly.
He brings his flavor to it.
(13:34):
He acts like a catalystcreating something new, but it still
feels recognizably Ritviz.
And his latest single,merbonne, released June 2024.
The one with Hasan Rahim, thePakistani singer.
Yeah, that's a perfect example.
Shows his reach acrossborders, his influence in the wider
South Asian scene.
It fosters this sense ofregional connection through music.
(13:55):
It's amazing.
Okay, so moving out of thestudio onto the stage, onto screens.
It's incredible how his musicisn't just on playlists.
It's breaking into global filmand tv, really putting that Indian
sound on the map for sure.
And he commands those livestages, major festivals all over
the world.
And in India, like EDC, LasVeg, Vegas.
Yep.
Sunburn, Bacarding, N87,Weekender, Zumalan, YouTube Fan Fest.
(14:19):
These are big, high profileplatforms, small clubs.
Not at all.
He's up there with globalsuperstars, holding his own shows.
His universal appeal, hisstage presence.
And that moment in 2019,opening for Katy Perry and Dua Lipa
in Mumbai.
Huge milestone that reallyunderlined his shift to bigger international
stages at the OnePlus Music Festival.
(14:40):
Right.
It was a clear signal hewasn't just an Indian phenomenon
anymore.
He was a global talent sharingstages with the biggest pop names.
A real turning point for hisinternational recognition.
And this highlights a biggershift, doesn't it?
Global media starting torecognize and celebrate South Asian
talent more.
Absolutely.
A welcome shift, recognizingthe diversity, the richness, the
(15:01):
resonance these sounds havewith a wider audience.
And his music keeps popping upon soundtracks too.
Like for Comicstone.
Yeah.
He did the title track forComicston, the Amazon prime comedy
show.
Huge in India.
And Sunto, isn't that Netflixseries mismatched?
These placements are smart.
They're not just background noise.
They introduce his sound topeople who might not normally seek
(15:23):
out, you know, electronicIndian pop.
Broadens his reach organically.
But the biggest one, the realcultural moment, had to be Mrs. Marvel,
undoubtedly.
Ritvis himself called it anabsolutely weird wow moment.
Having his music in a Marvel series.
Which tracks were they again?
Sage, Tani, Hawa and Abeji allfeatured prominently.
And Missing Marvel is hugeglobal phenomenon.
(15:46):
Mcu.
And it brought South Asianrepresentation right to the forefront
of mainstream entertainment.
Exactly.
So for his music to be chosenfor that platform, it's a massive
endorsement of its globalresonance, its cultural relevance.
Yeah, he wasn't kidding aboutthe wow moment.
Yeah.
But he also said the biggerthing wasn't just about him.
Right.
He highlighted the showcasingof South Asian sounds on that huge
(16:08):
stage.
His quote was powerful.
This is the sound of modernIndia, modern Pakistan.
Yeah, that just nails it.
It connects his music to thisbroader cultural identity, this contemporary
representation happening globally.
It's more than entertainment.
It's a cultural statement.
It's not just a song playing.
It's like an anthem of recognition.
(16:28):
The sound of a whole region evolving.
Exactly.
It's not just a success story,it's what his success represents
for the region's musicheritage and its future.
His music in Mrs. Marvelwasn't just the soundtrack.
It was like an anthem for anew generation.
Bridging cultures, showing offthese rich, diverse modern sounds.
Art, culture, global media,all coming together beautifully.
(16:50):
Okay, so we've talked aboutthe journey, the impact, the resonance.
Let's shift gears a bit.
Let's dive into the artisthimself, his philosophy, his process,
how he sees things.
The man behind the music.
It sounds like he has a reallyrobust way of dealing with feedback.
Even criticism isn't seen asjust negative.
(17:10):
Yeah, more like engagement, ameasure of impact.
So how does that mindset helphim last in an industry that can
be, well, pretty brutal?
That's such a key question forany artist, isn't it?
How do you tell constructivecriticism from just noise?
And how does staying authenticbecome your shield?
Right.
Ritviz has this wonderfullyunconventional approach to actually
(17:30):
making music.
He describes himself workinghorizontal here with my laptop, often
just at home.
Horizontal, like lying down?
Could be.
Or just relax, maybe on a couch.
He playfully calls it hisideal day of a professional musician.
It's very relatable, very downto earth.
Yeah.
Not the image of some hugefancy studio.
Exactly.
It's not about the gear, it'sabout this direct, intimate connection
(17:53):
with his tools suggests theart comes from within, not from the
surroundings.
It's striking, that image,horizontal with my laptop, so different.
But that unfiltered approach,it probably attracts naysayers.
Right?
People who don't get the genrebending stuff for sure.
Sometimes even outright hate,as he calls it.
So how does he handle that?
(18:14):
The harsh opinions?
He has this remarkably mature philosophy.
He never takes anything toopersonally, which.
Is easier said than done,especially when your work is so personal.
Incredibly hard.
But his key insight here isreally profound for any creator.
He says the day people stoptalking is when it gets not causing
(18:36):
impact.
Wow.
So the conversation itself,even if critical, means it's landing
somehow.
Exactly.
His focus isn't on gettingeveryone to love it or avoiding criticism.
It's on getting attentionhonestly, and being true to his work.
The fact that people aretalking, even arguing, means it's
resonating, sparking something.
It's about engagement, notjust praise.
Totally.
(18:57):
His core agenda, as he puts itvery simply, is just to be honest
with what I'm doing and do itin the hopes that people also connect
to it.
He acknowledges it's been avery, very epic five years for him.
You can say that again.
Recognizing the scale of it,but always coming back to that honesty.
It seems like his guiding principle.
And that honesty seems toextend to how he views production
(19:17):
tools, too.
Like auto tune.
Yeah, that's a reallyinteresting point.
He doesn't see it as a crutch,but more like an instrument.
A way to shape sound.
Exactly.
Which is a nuanced take,because autotune gets so much flack.
It really does.
But how he frames it, it's notabout compromising artistry.
It's a deliberate choice forhis specific sonic vision.
(19:38):
It really makes you rethinkwhat authenticity means in modern
production.
So what does he actually sayabout it?
He calls it a beautiful way offormatting the sound.
Like a tool for texture.
Like a painter's brush.
Okay.
He says it's a very effectivetool when it's used for the right
reasons, emphasizingpurposeful use, not just slapping
it on everything.
And he clarifies his goal.
(20:00):
He's not trying to be the greatest.
Singer, even though he learnedclassical singing for 10 years.
That Geiki.
Exactly.
He has the training, but hisaim isn't vocal gymnastics.
He uses tools like autotunebecause he wants a song to sonically
sound a certain way.
So the aesthetic dictates the tool.
Precisely.
It's part of his creativepalette, not a fix for a weakness.
(20:22):
It shows real clarity of vision.
It's so clear talking aboutthis that for him, music is way more
than just a job or fame.
It feels like a personalevolution, a spiritual path, almost.
He speaks about it in exactlythose terms.
He describes the creativeprocess itself as spiritual in nature.
And he Says he actuallydiscovered myself while making the
(20:45):
music, which is justincredibly powerful art, revealing
the self.
And if we connect that to thebigger picture, it really suggests
that true artistic fulfillment.
It might not be about theexternal stuff, the charts, the sales,
the awards, the usual metrics.
Yeah.
It's more about the internalgrowth, the self discovery that making
stuff fosters.
(21:05):
And he talks about his collegeexperience being unconventional too.
Right.
This is fascinating.
He didn't go to a traditionalcollege, but he feels, feels he learned
so much about life and likepeople because of the music he made
while being at home.
So his home studio was hisuniversity essentially.
Yeah.
His college.
A unique self driven learning space.
It really champions that ideaof passion fueled education over
(21:29):
rigid structures, especiallyfor artists.
That's a huge takeaway foranyone listening challenges our ideas
about education for sure.
And he expresses so muchgratitude for it.
Feeling so lucky that I wasallowed and I was able to make the
music that I make today.
Yeah.
It's not just talent, it'sopportunity, freedom, support.
Exactly.
(21:49):
And ultimately his measure of success.
It just clicks through all the noise.
It puts everything in perspective.
He says it's not about thenumbers, it's not about what this
does for you professionally.
So what is it about for him?
Fundamentally it's about whatkind of a person it makes you.
Wow.
It underscores that wholetransformative personal journey that's
tangled up with his art.
(22:09):
It's a holistic view.
Personal growth, integrity,self discovery.
That's the real win overcommercial success.
Such a powerful statementresonates way beyond just music.
And that really brings us fullcircle, doesn't it?
Rit Viz Srivastava's journey,so unique, so inspiring.
From that kid soaking upclassical and pop simultaneously
to this global artistcelebrated not just for his sound,
(22:31):
but for really putting SouthAsian music on the world stage in
a new way.
Yeah.
And his philosophy,prioritizing honesty, integrity,
impact over those conventional metrics.
It's just an inspiring modelfor any creator really, in any field.
He truly embodies that ideathat art is this continuous journey
(22:51):
of finding yourself.
And when you express thathonestly with integrity, the impact
can be huge.
It crosses borders, genres,cultures, connects on a really human
level.
So as you listening, reflecton Ritviz's incredible story, Durbanga
to Dua Lipa.
Basically shaping the sound ofmodern South Asia in Marvel.
Maybe ponder this.
How might embracing thoseseemingly contradictory or unconventional
(23:13):
influences in your own life,like Ritviz did with classical and
pop, lead to something trulyunique and impactful for you?
That's a great question.
What stands out most vividlyto you about his journey?
And maybe how does hisperspective challenge your own ideas
about what creativity and evensuccess really mean in this crazy,
noisy world we live in?
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