Take us back to the beginning—how did performing first enter your life, and what’s the earliest performance you still remember clearly?
My relationship with performing actually began through Kathak—I was dancing before I ever started singing, and being on stage that early made performing feel natural to me.
Later, I wanted to learn an instrument, so I picked up the guitar. That’s where singing slowly started to come in, almost organically, as I spent more time with music.
One of the first performances I remember clearly is from school. I was nervous backstage, but the moment I stepped into the lights, something clicked—and that feeling of connection stayed with me.
You’ve spoken about seeing Rashmeet Kaur live in Delhi—what about that night shifted the way you think about being an artist on stage?
When I saw Rashmeet Kaur perform live in Delhi, it wasn’t just her music that stayed with me—it was her presence.
She had this powerful, grounded aura, like she belonged on that stage in the most effortless way. It reminded me that performance isn’t only about technique; it’s also about the energy you carry into the room.
What I took from that night was honesty. She wasn’t performing to impress—she was simply in her element, owning who she is. Since then, I’ve wanted to bring that same fearless, real energy into my own music.
After 7–8 years of Hindustani classical training, what’s changed most in how you sing and write today?
My training made me far more aware and intentional with my voice—now, I’m not just trying to hit notes, I’m trying to feel them and express what they’re actually carrying.
It’s also given me more control and clarity, especially in how I shape a phrase and sit inside a melody instead of rushing through it.
As a writer, it’s helped me add depth and emotional precision, so what I create feels more grounded—both technically and honestly.
When you tell yourself “Seekhna band te jeetna band,” what’s the real-life habit that keeps you learning even on off days?
The most practical habit for me is simply showing up every day, even if it’s for a short amount of time.
Some days it’s vocal practice, other days it’s writing a few lines, and sometimes it’s just experimenting with a new sound or idea. I’ve learned that every small effort adds up, even when it doesn’t feel “perfect.”
That’s how I live by “Seekhna band te jeetna band”—consistency over perfection, and growth over pressure.
What’s a 30–60 second clip from an original song that captures your sound right now, and what should listeners pay attention to?
This clip is from my song “Raahi,” recorded in a simple, raw setting so the focus stays on the music and the feeling.
I’d love for people to notice the vibe of the track—especially the experimental folk-fusion sound and the way it moves between textures.
For me, it carries that sense of being on a journey—musically and emotionally—and I hope that comes through in the performance.
What does the key visual for your most recent release, Thikana, look like?
This is the cover art/key visual for Thikana—the main image I’ve been using to represent the release across platforms.
It’s the visual “entry point” into the project, so I think of it as part of the storytelling, not just a graphic.
Even before someone presses play, I want the artwork to set the tone for the world the song lives in.
Do you have a snapshot of Thikana featured on Spotify Fresh Finds India?
Here’s the screenshot showing the Spotify Fresh Finds India feature for Thikana.
Moments like this matter because playlists can be a real discovery point—especially for listeners who are actively looking for new voices and new sounds.
It felt like a meaningful signal that the track was reaching beyond my immediate circle.
Walk us through a live-performance moment that really shows your stage presence—where was it, what were you performing, and why did it stay with you?
This clip is from Coke Studio Bharat Live in Delhi, where I got to perform alongside Rashmeet Kaur. The show was headlined by Shreya Ghoshal, and also featured Aditya Rikhari, Divyam, and Khwab—playing to a sold-out crowd of over 20,000 people.
It honestly felt surreal. For a moment it didn’t feel real, but once the performance began, everything settled in and I could just be present inside the song.
What makes it unforgettable for me is the personal meaning—watching Rashmeet years ago to eventually sharing a stage with her felt like a true full-circle moment.
When you’re writing, what do your first drafts actually look like on the page?
This is a glimpse into my songwriting notes—an early draft stage where I’m catching phrases, ideas, and lyrical directions before anything feels “finished.”
I like allowing the first version to be messy, because that’s usually where the most honest lines show up.
Later, I shape and refine it—but it almost always starts with quick, instinctive writing like this.
If someone discovered you through a 20-second reel, which clip best captures your singer-songwriter vibe?
This short-form clip captures the vibe I naturally lean into as a singer-songwriter—direct, expressive, and rooted in melody.
I like reels that feel like a real window into my energy, not something overly polished or distant.
If someone is meeting my voice for the first time here, I want it to feel immediate and honest.
Which on-stage photo best captures your energy mid-performance?
This is one of my strongest performance photos on stage—captured in the middle of the moment, where the emotion is still live.
I love images like this because they hold the atmosphere of the night: the lights, the intensity, and that split-second connection with the crowd.
It’s a reminder of why I perform in the first place—the feeling of being fully present inside the music.
What’s a rehearsal moment with Mystic Ragas that shows how you and the band lock in together?
This rehearsal clip with Mystic Ragas gives a quick feel of our shared energy—how the sound comes together in real time, even when it’s just a phone-shot moment.
Rehearsals are where we get to experiment without pressure and really listen to each other as we build the performance world.
That “locking in” happens in small moments—one cue, one groove, one section that suddenly feels alive.
Give us a peek into your performance world—what does your stage or rehearsal setup look like?
These images show parts of my live setup—little details from stage and rehearsal spaces that make up my performance environment.
From mics and instruments to monitors and positioning, it’s all part of how the music translates from practice into an actual show.
I love documenting these behind-the-scenes visuals because they’re a real snapshot of the world the songs live in.
What’s a piece of text or poetry you’ve been revisiting with the idea of adapting it into music?
This is the text/poem I’ve been revisiting as a potential lyrical starting point—something I’m interested in reviving or adapting in my own way.
I’m drawn to writing that already carries emotion and rhythm, because it can open up new melodic possibilities.
Even when the final lyric changes, a piece of text like this can be the spark that shapes the entire song’s mood.
Which portrait would you like us to use as your main profile image?
This is the portrait/headshot I’d like WallMag to use as my main profile image.
It feels closest to how I see myself as an artist right now—simple, clear, and current.
I like visuals that feel like a real introduction, not a character.
Contact and Follow
Name: Aanya Khanna
Email: k.aanya2008@gmail.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/aanyakhannaofficial
