Raghu Dixit, known for his folk-influenced festival sound, discusses his journey from microbiology to music, influenced by Bharatanatyam and oral traditions. He shares insights on composing for films vs. independent music, managing mental health, and staying authentic. Dixit also reflects on his marriage with Varijashree Venugopal and the deeply personal inspiration behind his new song ‘Amma’.

He is the man who made folk music feel like a celebration, raw and raw. Raghu DixitThe Bengaluru-born singer-songwriter, whose soulful compositions resonate in living rooms and concert stages alike, has spent decades crafting a sound that is distinctly his own. From the soaring romanticism of Banjara to the yearning wanderlust of Ambar, from the playful irreverence of Shugal Laga Le to the charming charm of bewakoofi, their music has a way of making you feel at home in your own skin. Trained in Bharatnatyam, schooled in microbiology, and inspired by the rich oral traditions of Indian folk, Raghu Dixit defies easy categorization, and perhaps, that is his strength. We sat down with the artist to talk music, marriage, mental health and his deeply moving new release Amma. Part…Before music became your full-time identity, you studied microbiology. Was there a defining moment when you realized that science was no longer enough and music was where you really belonged? I don’t think there was any dramatic turning point. Music was always present in my life, even when I was studying microbiology. Over time, I realized that whenever I was making or performing music, I felt completely alive. Alive in a way nothing else made me feel. Eventually, that feeling overcame me (smiles). You trained in Bharatanatyam for about 18 years. How has that discipline shaped the way you compose, perform, and even approach rhythm and storytelling today?Bharatnatyam gave me discipline long before music became my profession. When you train in classical dance for so many years, you develop a deep respect for rhythm, structure, discipline, practice. Even today, I think everything you see and hear on my stage comes from dance. Bharatanatyam teaches you that emotions are not just expressed through words, it actually lives in the space between them. That understanding continues to shape everything I create. You have carved a niche for yourself in independent music while also working in films and Bollywood. Like Raghu Dixit, how differently do you approach composing music for cinema versus composing purely musically?In films you are telling someone else’s story. Which in turn is a kind of sum total of his life experiences. The song has to serve the story, the character, the emotion of that particular moment on the screen. Whereas independent music is yours, you are you, your story. It comes directly from your own experiences, questions, and feelings. I enjoy both because they challenge different parts of me creatively. One teaches cooperation and restraint, the other allows complete honesty and independence. In good measure they are both incredibly satisfying professions.Over the years, you’ve spoken openly about dealing with creative blocks and mental health struggles. How has that journey evolved for you, and what has it taught you about maintaining creativity without losing yourself in the process?For a long time, I thought creativity should come from constantly pushing yourself. But eventually I realized that if you don’t take care of yourself emotionally and mentally, creativity also suffers. That difficult period taught me the importance of slowing down and being kind to myself. Being content is an incredibly difficult thing to do. This doesn’t just happen. You must complete it. And when you do that, the art flows naturally; This is not a job anymore. Today, I feel like the music that comes from me is much more honest.In the age of viral trends and loud music consumption, you’ve continued to be rooted in folk influences and live instruments. Have you ever felt pressure to reinvent yourself for a new audience, or has authenticity always been your greatest support?I believe development is important, but it should happen naturally. Not to satisfy some instinct or pursue helpless thoughts. That’s not my jam. Folk music and live instruments are not an aesthetic choice for me, they are deeply connected to who I am and where I come from. The audience may change, the stage may change, but honesty in music always finds its audience. I make music to satisfy myself, my creative urges, if people like it too, that’s a welcome bonus.You married a Grammy nominated singer and flutist Varijashree Venugopal Last October. How has sharing your life with someone who deeply understands music and artistry affected you personally and creatively?Vaari is undoubtedly a great artiste but she is the greatest companion. Sometimes. Duration. His work reflects his life, his existence. And it’s really an honor to be a part of it. Vaari is an extraordinary human being of immense depth, and it is always inspiring to be with that kind of artistry. Her world is very different from mine and I think it’s that connection that makes things so interesting and constantly inspiring for both of us.

Your latest release ‘Amma’ – what was the emotional or musical starting point behind the song, and what part of it feels most personal to you?The song started from a very quiet but extremely painful realization – that I had forgotten to acknowledge my mother when talking about the people who shaped my life. That moment stayed with me for a long time. Musically, I wanted ‘Amma’ to feel intimate and vulnerable, almost like a conversation, and a kind of confession rather than a performance. The most personal part of it is probably its honesty. It comes from a very real place. Over the past few days we’ve played it all around the world to all kinds of people, young and old, with different cultures, languages ​​and musical tastes. The one thing that everyone had in common was that there were tears. It’s not just because of the lyrics, it’s the feeling. Mother means the same to all of us and somewhere deep down and the things I have said in the song are the same things we all want to say to our mothers. It is the most personal and the most universal at the same time.