PAVITHRA CHARI: I FEEL BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MULTIPLE CREATIVE OUTLETS WHERE I CAN CHALLENGE MYSELF'

THE NEW DELHI ARTIST TALKS ABOUT WORKING WITH A. R. RAHMAN, NEW SHADOW AND LIGHT MATERIAL AND MORE 

- David Britto

IN A CAPTIVATING intersection of talent and musical exploration, New Delhi artist Pavithra Chari emerges as a dynamic force, leaving an indelible mark on the contemporary music scene. From working with composer A. R. Rahman, Pavithra has seamlessly blended tradition and innovation, creating a unique sonic landscape. As a key member of the Anirudh Varma Collective, she has toured across the U.S., enchanting audiences with her ethereal vocals and electrifying stage presence. Beyond her collaborative endeavors, Pavithra is also set to unveil new material with her duo Shadow And Light alongside Anindo Bose, promising a fresh sonic experience that transcends boundaries. Read our interview with Chari below.

You’ve had a whirlwind of a year, if you had to sum it up, how would you describe 2023 for yourself ?

2023 has been a year of great exploration for me. It has been a whirlwind of opportunities, challenges, collaboration and I have thoroughly enjoyed it, every step of the way. I have found the space and scope to express many new artistic identities of myself. I debuted as a composer, worked on a dance production as a performer, and toured with multiple performance outfits of varied genres. Exploring music in films has been an exhilarating journey and I have discovered so many layers to my vocal versatility and capacity. I have also worked with incredible composers like D.Imman, Santhosh Narayanan, Darbuka Siva, Ofro and Reva whose music I have greatly admired. For me, 2023 has set the momentum for a great 2024.

Tell me what it was like to work with A.R. Rahman — how’s he like to be around and how do you prepare for a session with him?