Raghav Raja Interview
Q. You’ve been performing live for over a decade. What was the turning point that made you realize music would be your life’s path?
In 2009, when I first performed in front of 2000+ college crowd, it made me realise that I am born for music only. It was a wonderful moment for me when my college friends & other crowd loved & cheered me up when I sang a sufi song ‘Piya Re’ in front of this much crowd for the very first time & I got the award of ‘Mr Talent’ just after that at the freshers party of my college BBDIT Ghaziabad.
Q. Your sound blends Sufi, Bollywood and Devotional Rock. What personal experiences shaped this unique musical identity?
Since I am born & brought at a holy city Haridwar, I always had influences into Devotional music. I started singing Bollywood & sufi after forming my band during college days & always tried to fuse indian classical vibes with Rock music & gradually tried to singing bhajans also (which I learnt from my parents) in rock genre making them a fusion of Indian classical & rock music.
Q. Your performances often feel spiritual and high-energy at the same time. How do you craft that emotional journey for the audience?
Music is actually a form of worshipping & spiritualism as I have learnt since childhood. So I have always felt peace of mind whenever I listen to music or performing the same.
Q. How does your approach to a performance change when you’re on an intimate stage vs. a large concert setup?
My approach to performance depends on the kind of audience I have in front of me. When its a crowd of youth, I focus on the kind of songs I have in my set which youth likes.
When its a music age group crowd, I focus on the type of songs which is common for all. Moreover Sufi genre is the common one for all types of age groups as per my experience in live performances.
Q. In a world driven by reels and trends, how do you protect your artistic authenticity while still reaching new listeners online?
This is true with no doubt that current scenerio is majorly driven by social media trends. People follow the trends driven on social media and so I also keep myself updated with the social media trends going on in music industry. I basically believe that trends are set by humans like us only & hence I also focus on delivering my content likewise .
Q. You’ve mastered stage presence, what aspects were instinctive, and which ones came from discipline and practice?
This is totally a part of experience one has, I believe. I have been into live performances for more than a decade as of now & it has given me a lot of confidence while performing for different types of audiences every time. So, my aspect during the performances totally focuses on delivering my full potential to entertain my audience & it comes from the experience I have & the vibes which I create on the stage. And the skills obviously gets nurtured through regular practice & discipline I have for my art.
Q. Gen Z is increasingly drawn to devotional and Sufi-inspired music. What do you think they’re seeking that mainstream genres sometimes miss?
Music is basically an art of expressing yourself through notes. Be it any genre of music, one always connects just because it makes you feel something from inside. GenZ Is increasingly drawn towards devotional & Sufi inspired music because somehow they are able to find ‘peace of mind’ listening to the same.
At least for sometime they forget about their stress-anxiety & they feel relaxed forgetting about everything else. Music actually has a spiritual power to make anyone heal from any kind of stress.
Q. Your interactions with the crowd feel natural and effortless. Are those moments spontaneous or something you intentionally build into your shows?
The interaction with the crowd is always spontaneous depending upon the age group of the audience though some of the ‘shayari’ or poetry is pre-planned according to the songs set-list. The ‘shayari’ parts in between the songs are always used to let the audience connect the situation to themselves & it is also purely related to the nature of the crowd.
Q. After years of performing, how do you personally measure success impact, emotional resonance, or milestones like tours and numbers?
I’ve learned that success in music can’t be measured by just one thing. Early on, milestones mattered a lot — the number of shows, bigger stages, better fees, touring new cities. Those things still matter because they validate your growth and help you sustain this as a profession.
Numbers tell you where you stand. But with time, impact and emotional resonance have become far more important.
For me, success is when:
Someone comes up after a show and says, “You sang exactly what I was feeling.”
A wedding couple tells me their families are still talking about the vibe weeks later.
The audience sings along, not because they know me, but because they feel the song with me.
I can shift the mood of a room — from calm and soulful to high-energy celebration — and see it reflected instantly in people’s faces.
That connection is irreplaceable. It’s why I still get nervous before a show and fulfilled after it.
Q. If a young artist asked you how to survive and grow as a live performer, what would be the one principle you’d insist they live by?
If I had to insist on one principle, it would be this:
Respect the stage every single time you step on it.
That means:
Treat a 20-person audience the same way you’d treat a 2,000-person crowd.
Show up prepared, on time, and fully present — even on days you don’t feel 100%.
Don’t perform at people, perform with them. Read the room, feel the energy, adapt.
Keep learning — your voice, your craft, your repertoire, and the business side of music.
When you respect the stage, the stage gives back. Audiences remember sincerity. Clients remember professionalism. And opportunities have a way of finding artists who are consistent, not just talented.
Trends will change. Algorithms will change. But if you honour the stage and the people in front of you, you won’t just survive — you’ll grow.
Q. What new direction, collaboration, or project do you feel will define the next phase of your artistic evolution?
I feel the next phase of my artistic evolution is about creating something that lasts beyond the stage.
For years, live performance has been my strongest voice — feeding off the energy of the crowd, adapting in the moment, creating memories in real time. Now, I want to channel that experience into original work and deeper storytelling.
Q. When you’re not setting stages on fire, what’s one unexpected hobby or ritual that completely calms you down?
Whenever I have free time or whenever I am at home I really love to ‘cook’ for my family & friends & moreover I love spending time with my daughter specially taking her to the music classes for her basic indian classical music foundation.
Bio:
Raghav Raja is a live singer and performer known for his high-energy yet emotionally grounded performances that seamlessly blend Sufi, Bollywood, and contemporary music. Trained in Indian classical music from a young age, he brings depth, control, and soul to every stage he steps on.
With over 10 years of live performance experience, Raghav has performed across weddings, corporate events, clubs, and private gatherings, earning a reputation for reading the room and creating unforgettable musical experiences. Whether it’s an intimate acoustic set or a packed celebration, his performances are driven by connection, storytelling, and authenticity.
Based in Gurugram, Raghav Raja continues to evolve as an artist — expanding into original music and curated live experiences — while staying true to the one thing that defines him most: making people feel something through music.
Interviewed by: Nidhi
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