Raghu Dixit: There are far more choices and genres today

Raghu Dixit

Raghu Dixit

His music is termed 'happy' and 'infectious'. Raghu Dixit and his multilingual folk band, the Raghu Dixit Project (RDP), have been popularising Indian tunes across the globe for several years. Apart from a huge following in India, RDP has a big fan base abroad (they performed for the Queen of England recently). The outfit blends Indian ethnic sounds with music influences from around the world. Ask him which international genre he would want to explore next, and Raghu says, "I listen to a lot of Caribbean music these days. I would love to compose something with it."

While most musicians feel that independent music has been revived in India, Raghu holds a different opinion. "I wouldn't call it revival," he says, explaining, "Independent music has always been around. But, more people are discovering it now. There are far more choices and genres today. Also, with the help of the Internet, indie artistes
can share their work online and reach out to a wider audience. It has helped them garner an international following as well."

RDP has a packed gig schedule. They performed at Baleno Wicked Weekends recently. Having performed at prestigious festivals in various parts of the world, does he find a difference between the audience in India and abroad? "None. Our music has been appreciated wherever we have travelled. While playing abroad, I ensure I don't describe the music. I put in all my heart and soul into putting out music that people listen to and understand in spite of language barriers," says Raghu, who is working on a few singles, and the soundtrack of a Bollywood project. "I can't talk about it. I will start recording for it soon, though."