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SINGER AND SONGWRITER RAJA KUMARI, WHO IS A KNOWN NAME IN THE WEST, IS SLOWLY FINDING HER FEET IN INDIA. SHE SHARES HER GAMEPLAN WITH TANISHA BHATTACHARYA

- TANISHA BHATTACHARYA

Svetha Yallapragada Rao, professionally known as Raja Kumari, is an American rapper, songwriter and singer from Claremont, California. She started performing since she was 14 and has been known for her collaborations with Gwen Stefani, Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, Sidhu Moosewala, Knife Party, Fall Out Boy and others. She is also a trained dancer in Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Bharatanatyam. She made a cameo in Gully Boy as a judge, and has collaborated with the singer Divine on the songs City slums and Roots. Her first collaboration in Hindi films began with AR Rahman, for whom she sang the song Jugni for the Tamil film Kaatru Veliyidai (2017). She sang the song Never give up for Anirudh Ravichander the same year for the Tamil film Vivegam. Her recent collaboration with Ravichander, the title track of Jawan, has made waves this year. The singer, who looks up to Shah Rukh Khan, is on cloud nine for being part of his film. Excerpts from an interview with the euphoric singer.

How have things changed after the massive success of the Jawan anthem?

It’s been great. I want to be more involved in the Telugu scene. I want to keep making more songs in Indian cinema. I feel it’s a wonderful platform, and I’m manifesting it. Every single person that watched Jawan either knows my name or voice, and that kind of response is something I can never replicate. I’m thankful, and I want to keep using it to spread the good vibes and let people know that if your daughter wants to do music or art, there is a way to do it. If I can be an example of that, then I’m happy to do it.

What was your first reaction to being approached by Shah Rukh Khan for a song in his film?