Prateeksha Srivastava is a talented lyricist and composer making waves in the Indian music industry. Her latest creation, “AANKH,” is a testament to her skill, featuring Sunidhi Chauhan and Sanya Malhotra. As a co-composer and writer of “AANKH,” Prateeksha showcases her versatility and creativity in the Indian music scene.
In a candid chat with IWMBuzz.com, Prateeksha talks about her new song and its success story.
Read here.
Please tell us about your new indie song “AANKH”?
Aankh is my second project as a composer and lyricist for another artist, the track has been produced by Rusha Blizza, co-composed with me and lyrics by me. It has been sung and performed by Sunidhi Chauhan.
What inspired you to create “AANKH,” and how did you come up with the concept for this song?
Whenever Rusha Blizza and I sit together we end up making something experimental. In this time where pop music is highly dominating the current Indian music scene, I really wanted to make something grand, dramatic and cinematic with a strong female voice and some Urdu lyrics – I wanted to talk about the dark side of love, and that’s how this song got created.
Please tell us about your experience working with Sunidhi Chauhan, Sanya Malhotra, Rusha, and Blizza on “AANKH”?
Sunidhi Chauhan just proves time and again why she is the real legend. When I first did a video call with her, I didn’t feel intimidated or nervous, because her energy is so welcoming. She understood my idea and thought behind the song and tried to understand my perspective instead of telling her, that’s a very warm gesture and that’s the sign of a true legend.
Sanya Malhotra is a fantastic actress and a very trained dancer and I always love to see her dance, so her being onboard for this song was the cherry on the cake for me. She is a very passionate and dedicated person. There’s a lot that goes behind making such videos and she is very energetic and optimistic.
Rusha Blizza and I have been working together for the last 2 years now and we have a flawless understanding when it comes to the kind of music we want to make. It’s a very seamless equation. We are always meeting on Zoom calls yet it doesn’t feel like that, because our vision and understanding are pretty much on the same page. I adore working with the boys.
You’ve had a remarkable rise to prominence, from being a finalist on Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs to becoming a celebrated indie artist. What drives you to continue pushing boundaries in your music?
My love for music. I was born a musician. My father taught me, my grandparents ran a music school. I have been surrounded by music all the time. The professional aspect of it came much later, but since music is in my blood, that’s enough of a reason for me to push my boundaries. I mean, it’s just one life, right?
Who are some of your musical influences, and how do they shape your unique sound?
From Ashwini Bhide Deshpande to Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan, to Cashmere Cat, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Skrillex etc, all these artists and their soundscapes are a constant inspiration to me.
Can you walk us through your songwriting and composition process? How do you come up with ideas, and what inspires your creativity?
I pick up a zone by playing keys or a guitar loop or just humming, then I make the melody first. I don’t go for the hook line, I just record whatever’s in my mind in one go, and then I do the chopping work. Sometimes I get stuck on the hook, sometimes in verse, but melody-making comes naturally. After that I write lyrics- I pick up one word that is sonically very suitable to the melody and then I build an idea around it. I straight away write lyrics I don’t do any rough work there. I start writing directly on my digital audio workstation and if I get stuck I just take a break. I take lots of breaks.
Your songs often blend emotional lyrics with captivating melodies. How do you balance these elements to create a cohesive and impactful song?
For me, the sonic of the words is extremely important so even if the thoughts and information are a lot to digest, I try to blend them sonically in a way that it doesn’t disturb but rather sits inside the melody gracefully because the vibe is number one priority for me, and then comes the technical part of music.
As a leading female indie artist in India, what are your thoughts on the current state of the indie music scene, and how do you see it evolving in the future?
I love where it’s headed, sometimes sure it feels saturated and repetitive, but at a macro-view, where we are headed as indie artists from India is truly revolutionary. I see global dominance.
You’ve had significant success with your previous releases, including “Khamakhaa” and “Naino Ki Toh Baat.” What’s next for you, and can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations?
2025 is going to be going all-out, it’s going to be the core of me, who I am as a person and what has my musical teaching from my father been like. I am going back to the roots and I am sure it’s going to be the new thing in the year 2025.
