Adhitavo, an Indian-born artist based in New York, is redefining identity through music by blending experimental sound and storytelling, while navigating the complexities of cultural representation.
In a world where success often follows a prescribed path, Adhitavo has chosen a different route. The Indian-born, New York-based artist is part of a growing wave of South Asian creatives who are stepping into global spaces on their own terms. His work is a fusion of experimental sound, storytelling, and technology, but above all, it is deeply introspective. Much of this introspection stems from his experiences of moving between different spaces and identities.
“I’ve always been in different spaces,” he shares. “For me, expression is the most important thing. I don’t care about the medium as long as I’m able to express myself.”
Adhitavo’s journey into music has not been linear. Although he trained in classical piano for over 15 years, he initially pursued a degree in mechanical engineering, a path familiar to many South Asian students. Yet, music remained a constant in his life.
His perspective on music began to shift during college when he participated in a large student-led production that combined music, theatre, and performance. “That’s what reminded me of how special the arts are,” he reflects.
Now, rather than identifying strictly as a musician, Adhitavo describes himself as a multidisciplinary artist, seamlessly moving between recording, production, live performances, and storytelling.
Over time, he recognized the profound impact of his work. A pivotal moment came during the COVID-19 lockdown in India when he released his first song with college friends on YouTube. This experience opened his eyes to the potential of music to connect with people beyond his immediate circle.
“We created a song called Chicken Nuggets, and it actually reflected what was happening in the country at that time,” he recalls, referencing the chaos of the pandemic. “Nothing beats that feeling when you put your first record out.”
The song gained traction and was even featured in Rolling Stone India. However, a subsequent project reached an even broader audience. Adhitavo was commissioned as a songwriter and music producer for the ninth-anniversary campaign of Clash of Clans (India), a mobile strategy game based in Finland. Through this project, he explored themes of humanity’s constant search into the unknown and began to see people from around the world connect with his work.
“I could see hundreds and hundreds of comments [on YouTube],” he notes. “That’s when it sparked a thought… there’s so much power in music to impact people.”
This realization brought with it both excitement and a sense of responsibility. “It makes you scared as well,” he admits. “But it also inspires you… There’s a responsibility for every artist to take it seriously.”
Relocating from India to New York presented a new set of challenges. “The first few weeks were very difficult,” he recalls. “I didn’t know what to write about anymore… it felt like an identity crisis.”
Everything that once felt familiar—culture, environment, and daily life—was suddenly absent. This discomfort forced him to reevaluate his identity and approach to music. “When you start connecting with people from different cultures, you realize that the emotions are the same,” he explains. “It made my work more universal.”
As time passed, he began to view his identity as fluid rather than fixed. “You’re a hybrid,” he states. “You have your past experiences, and you’re creating something new.”
Navigating identity as a South Asian artist often comes with the expectation of representing one’s culture, which can lead to being boxed into the category of “South Asian music.” “I think it’s a gift to be part of a culture,” he says, “but that doesn’t mean that’s everything about me.”
Rather than confining himself to the label of “a South Asian artist,” Adhitavo sees identity as layered and diverse. “You’re in this hybrid environment,” he explains. “You can draw from so many different things and become something new.”
He acknowledges the complexities of culture, recognizing that there are aspects one may agree with and others one may not. “There are things you agree with and things you disagree with,” he states. “And that’s okay.”
For him, the goal is not to reject culture or fully conform to it, but to engage with it authentically. “You should celebrate it,” he advises, “but you should also be able to question it.”
Adhitavo’s creative process is rooted in intention, with every element tied to meaning and emotional impact. “The first step is inspiration,” he explains. “It’s very important to know what you’re trying to convey.”
He builds upon this foundation by drawing from various cultures and technologies. “It’s about understanding what a particular sound effect does emotionally,” he elaborates. “Every element has to work together to tell that story.”
He approaches music similarly to how one would approach film or theater. “If this was a movie, how would I score it?” he asks. “How would I create that emotional journey?”
This methodology is particularly evident in his upcoming album, Incongruence, which combines experimental sound, layered production, and storytelling to explore themes of identity, pressure, and the feeling of not fitting into fixed systems. Each element is designed to contribute to a larger emotional experience rather than standing alone.
“I felt like I don’t fit in with the world,” he shares. “And I wanted to express that.”
When asked what advice he would give to young South Asians, especially those grappling with traditional expectations, his response is both honest and realistic. “The first step is to celebrate the difference and not be scared about it,” he advises.
However, he acknowledges that this journey is not always straightforward. “There are expectations and limitations… A lot of times there are no pathways, and that’s a scary thing to think about,” he admits. “Sometimes you can’t make that decision right away.”
Instead of advocating for drastic changes, he emphasizes the importance of patience. “When you’re in that situation, when you can’t make a decision, and you need to follow something you don’t want to do, or you need to conform, keep that part of you alive,” he suggests. “At some moment, you will have the power to express it.”
For Adhitavo, finding your voice is not about making one monumental decision but about holding onto what matters over time. “Don’t give up on your future self,” he encourages.
Adhitavo’s work defies a fixed formula, which is precisely what makes it so meaningful. He is not trying to fit into a single definition of success, identity, or genre of music. Instead, he is creating something that encompasses all of these elements simultaneously.
For many South Asians navigating their identities, his message is clear: “You don’t have to fit into one space. You’re allowed to create your own.”
For more insights, watch the full interview.
The post Finding Freedom in Sound: How Adhitavo Is Redefining Identity Through Music appeared first on India Currents.