Meet Akanksha Grover, The Independent Artist Making Waves In The Indian Music Scene

Akanksha Grover is shedding the typical notions of how the industry perceives a musician. As Indian listeners are inclined towards Bollywood, Western and even Korean music now, Akanksha is a rarity who is putting her musical skills and knowledge to bring the old-world charm of Indian classical music baithaks back.

Her love affair with music started at an incredibly young age of seven, her first role model being her mother. Akanksha enjoyed listening to her mother singing bhajans every day which intrigued her to sing along with her. This innocent mother-daughter everyday moment eventually paved the path for her undying love for music. 

Akanksha has been the flagbearer of bringing back the long-forgotten concept of Baithak to the current generation. Baithak by Akanksha is an intimate and interactive musical show with a maximum of 50-60 attendees. The show focuses on music and highly interactive communication between the artist and the audience. In a short span of a few months only, she has performed multiple shows across different cities in the country. She has successfully created a niche for her music through her soulful performances in a hyper-competitive environment.

In a freewheeling chat with Loudest Akanksha Grover talks about her Musical Journey as an Independent Artists,Here are edited excerpts:

Q1.Share your musical journey so far?

I started my musical journey at the tender age of seven when I started learning keyboard through home tuition classes that went on for 2 years. My journey took an exciting turn when I met my first guru in 6^th standard who taught me many musical nuisances in my school years.

Post my school, I pursued my BCom from Kirori Mal College and continued demonstrating my musical skills as part of the college music society- MUSOC. However, I couldn’t learn music professionally during these years. Although I never wanted to pursue this course but still completed my education to my parent's wishes.

I eventually decided to pursue my Master’s in Hindustani Classical Music Vocals and met my now Guru with whom I have been learning for more than 6 years currently. Last year, I started the concept Baithak by Akanksha’, an intimate and interactive musical show with a maximum of 50-60 attendees focusing on music and highly interactive communication between the artist and the audience.

Q2.Why did you choose music as your career? Who has been your inspiration?

Music has been my source of happiness forever. In my childhood, I enjoyed listening to my mother singing bhajans every day which intrigued me to sing along with her. I took the first step towards my musical journey at the age of seven when I started learning music. And since then there has been no looking back for me.My mother has been my inspiration in all walks of my life and especially for music. She has been the force behind my musical journey.

Q3.What is Baithak by Akanksha?

Baithak by Akanksha is an intimate and interactive musical show with a maximum of 50-60 attendees. The show focuses on music and highly interactive communication between the artist and the audience.

Q4.How has the concept been taken in India till now? Share some details.

In a short span of a few months only, it has been an overwhelming love that we have received from music aficionados. This has further added power to my belief that many people in India are interested to listen to such musical interactions. But they are unable to experience it and are craving it. For instance, I’m getting queries from South Indian states such as Kerala also to host Baithak.

I truly feel I’m blessed to perform at multiple shows across different cities in the country and have an audience who loves and appreciates my skills. And I am keen to host more Baithaks in different cities across the country.

Q5.One suggestion that you would like to give upcoming musicians pursuing Indian classical music.

I think I want upcoming musicians to not be rigid about music. Indian classical music is very wide, though it definitely has its own set of rules that need to be followed but even then, there is a lot of scope. Respect all genres of music irrespective of any biases.

Q6.What are your upcoming plans for the year 2023?

My upcoming plans for the year would be to release my debut album that will consist of my own compositions.

Further, one thing that intrigues me as much as singing is imparting musical education to the ones who are equally interested and invested to take the rich classical music legacy ahead. I am aiming to open my own offline and online institute to teach music in the near future.