Advaita: A Journey of Fusion, Friendship, and the Power of Non-Duality
In Conversation with Oshin Hephzibah
In celebration of 20 years of Advaita, the Delhi-based fusion band that has been breaking boundaries and redefining genres, we got to catch up with band members Abhishek, Gaurav, and Anindo to dive into their most memorable performances, their bucket list dreams, and the music philosophy that drives them. Here’s what they had to share!
If you had to pick 1 iconic show or performance till date for Advaita that you remember fondly – which one would you choose and why?
When it comes to career-defining gigs, Advaita has more than a few standout moments. But, if they each had to choose just one, the memories come flooding in.
For Abhishek, one show that continues to resonate was at the Eldos Jazz Festival in Johannesburg back in 2012 (or 2013—it’s been a while!). “We played in front of a massive crowd! African people really have rhythm in their bodies and It was amazing seeing them all groove to our music!,” he recalls. “After the show, people came up to us, hugged us, and said how much they loved hearing a band from India that kept old traditions in their music but still sounded modern. That was a great compliment. And we also got to see some amazing acts at the festival, including a live disco performance!”
For Gaurav, a more recent performance stands out: their April 2024 show at Piano Man in Delhi. “We got together after a long time, and played in our home city after almost 6 years. The overwhelming audience response was heartwarming and I have nothing but gratitude for that.”
Anindo echoed this sentiment, recounting their recent 20th anniversary show in Delhi, which was their first public performance in the city in five years. “We really felt the love and the energy of the audience that night…It propelled us through a long set, featuring music from our early days to our latest release, Palkan. It also felt good to be back with the group and share the stage once again,” he says.
Which stage in your bucket list, globally, would you want to bring the sound of Advaita to?
Looking ahead, the band members have some exciting venues on their bucket lists.
Abhishek shares that his dream stage has shifted over time. “I used to think of big arenas, but now I’d love to perform at a venue like KEXP in Seattle. I love their live sessions—it would be amazing to bring our music to that kind of setting.” Gaurav has his eye on the North Sea Jazz Festival, while Anindo is drawn to the grandeur of “the Sphere in LA or the timeless amphitheatre of Pompeii in Italy.”
If this world never had an Advaita, how do you imagine your journey as a musician would have been different?
The journey of Advaita has been one of constant evolution, but it’s interesting to imagine where each member’s musical path might have led if the band hadn’t come together.
For Abhishek, things could have gone in an entirely different direction. “With our diverse tastes and influences, we could have easily met other musicians and struck a chord (pardon the pun),” he muses, “I might have explored a textural electro-rock vibe, which is one of the ingredients in the Advaita sound as well.”
Gaurav, on the other hand, sees himself being a funk or blues player, while Anindo finds it hard to picture a world without the band. “Advaita has been such a big part of my life, from music production to live sound engineering. I grew up with the band and wouldn’t want to imagine a different path, especially with some of my closest friends being part of this journey.”
The very meaning of Advaita, nonduality, signifies how all music is one – it is evidenced in the coming together of different sounds, instruments, styles and languages in your discography; what’s your opinion (hot-take) on the music that has come to define this age and the direction it represents?
As a band that stands for non-duality—fusing Indian classical and contemporary styles—Advaita’s sound embodies the idea that music is a singular, shared experience. This philosophy shines through when they reflect on the direction that modern music is taking.
Gaurav’s perspective is refreshingly open-minded: “I have none; let a thousand flowers bloom. The democratisation of music creation is a good thing. The more the music choices, the easier it becomes to pick what you like and let everything else be transitory in its influence on you…Anyone commenting on the ‘direction’ of music either is resentful due to nostalgia or dismissive because of a misplaced sense of superiority.”
Anindo, however, does see shifts in how music is created. “Music is becoming more hybrid, but the focus on lyrics seems to have really taken a hit. The same themes get repeated, and there are fewer bands writing together—it’s mostly individual songwriters with session musicians,” he explained. “Until touring becomes profitable for younger independent bands, this model is probably going to stay the same. Current songs mostly get their sound/vibe from their producer’s production rather than from the band members playing the actual parts. Not a bad thing, just different from what it used to be.”
If GMI students could cover 1 Advaita song, which one would you suggest and why?
If GMI students were to cover an Advaita track, each member has a different recommendation. For Abhishek, it’s “Words” from The Silent Sea, a less mainstream choice that could bring something unique to the table.
Gaurav suggests “Mere Yaar” for its simplicity and nuanced delivery, while Anindo envisions a large ensemble taking on “Just Enough.” “It’s instrumentally and vocally intricate, yet it remains simple at heart,” he says. “Plus, it hasn’t been heard by many people…would love to see a large ensemble perform this.”
College to coke studio and many stages in between and after, throwbacks and a nostalgic coming together for one of the most unique soundscapes – the Advaita journey has been one of exploration and experimentation. What is your one message to the fans who never miss your live performances, wait for your new music and listen to their favourite Advaita track frequently?
And finally, a message from the band to their dedicated fans, who have been there through every performance, album, and song.
Abhishek speaks for the group when he says, “Thank you. We’re so grateful to have had such incredible support from our fans. And I also want to say—we’re not done yet. We’ll be back with more music and performances soon!” Gaurav simply adds, “Thank you for being part of this journey,” while Anindo shares a heartfelt note: “We really appreciate your love and support for the band, and can’t thank you enough for the years of love and support. We hope our music continues to be part of your lives, and we’re excited to see you again very soon!”
Advaita’s story is one of exploration, experimentation, and, above all, connection—whether it’s with their fans, each other, or the rich soundscapes they create. With unique insights and more exciting music knocking at our door, their influence on the current listeners is clear. Here’s to many more years of music, memories, and non-duality.