16 Dec In Conversation With – Pavani Mehra
The ‘In Conversation with’ series brings to you the stories of various creative professionals from the music industry and provides a glimpse into their journeys. Today’s conversation with Pavani Mehra takes us on a journey to explore her artistry and views on the rap and hip-hop music industry in India.
“I have always sketched these moments. I have dreamt of a backshot with the audience in front of me and now, I find myself living this dream of mine.”
Music genres such as rap and hip-hop are on the rise when it comes to the Indian music scene and one of the artists emerging from this is Pavani Mehra. She takes us on a journey to further understand the importance of women in the industry and shares her experience of transitioning from Hindustani Classical to Rap and hip-hop, winning a mentorship session with Raja Kumari, her discography, and an insight into her artistry.
Pavani started her musical journey through learning Hindustani Classical. “I was around three years old when my parents wished for me to learn hindustani music. I was always up for performances and excited to go on stage. I was never nervous because that’s where I felt alive. The school years really helped in shaping my artistry and gave me sufficient time to build a relationship with myself and music. However, I started to notice a personality shift within me and classical music wasn’t allowing me to express myself the best”. As the years progressed, so did Pavani’s style in music as hindustani music wasn’t able to capture what she wanted to portray. “I started writing poetry and eventually started to convert my poems into songs that were bold and powerful. I got introduced to a new sound through artists like Eminem and Raftaar, who made me find myself quite drawn towards the genre. Hip-Hop and Rap felt right and exactly the medium I wanted to use to channel all my emotions.”
Influences
Music is quite a male-dominated industry in India and its no exception for genres like rap and hip-hop. “When starting out, I struggled in finding more female rappers and hip-hop artists but then I heard a track called ‘City Slums’ by Raja Kumari and Divine. That was the moment where I was struck and wanted to know more about this genre.” Pavani also shares her own personal experience with being a woman in the industry and the challenges she faced. “I have been to so many events for rap and hip-hop music and the line up consists of all men. I find the industry not so open with listening to female rappers and what we have to say as a community. Our message is loud and we want people to hear it, we want people to find a way to be more inclusive and appreciative of women in the industry.”
One of the key moments for Pavani was to meet up with Divine. “I met Divine back in 2019, I went to a conference in Mumbai and someone asked if anyone would like to perform for him. He was someone I followed and looked up to. As I walked onto the stage, because of technical difficulties my mic didn’t work and at that moment I just felt like I had to do something, so I danced. When I got off the stage, Divine reached out and we shared a conversation. It was magical for me to be in that moment, considering I was talking with someone who I looked up to.”
Along with Divine, another artist that inspired the growth within Pavani was Raja Kumari. She shares with us a pivotal moment in her life, being trained under her idol. “I also met Raja Kumari after she had finished one of her shows and was on her way out. I found myself inspired the most by this woman who was doing what I wanted to do. After a while, I got this opportunity from Bumble called ‘Leveling up the Charts’ where they had this form about getting mentorship from anyone you like, and I had chosen to be mentored under Raja Kumari. It was such an educational process and really helped in navigating what I want to do. When she saw my writing she called it ‘revolutionary’ which was when it clicked what I was doing and how much power it held.”
Genesis
Pavani says she doesn’t want to feel limited to a genre and find herself stuck within a box she finds unable to get out of. “I am open to anything, call it Jazz, R&B, Pop, or Acoustic. I have to express myself in any medium I find the best for my current situation. I also work as a graphic designer which gives me the opportunity and experience to meet with various people. All of these situations and people have allowed me to experience life and write about it.”
Pavani breaks down her writing process and how much power it holds for her. “Whatever I write, I sit in silence for it. I will allow myself to feel what I wish to write. For example, my rendition of O Ri Chiraiya came from a place of thinking about a child who wishes to fly but finds themselves unable to.” She shares her personal story and inspiration behind writing her track Khokhla meaning ‘hollow’. “My mom was going through a tough phase where she wasn’t feeling too well and the doctors were just trying to fill their pockets and make money out of this stressful situation. This is when I realized how hollow and selfish some people can be. It was more than just what the doctor did, it was how we as people don’t recognise so much around us. All my songs are a glimpse of my story and how all I have been though, I want to share that so people see the strength and power that exists within my music.”
“I want the world to understand how strong women are and take us seriously, especially when it comes to the female hip-hop and rap industry. I would like the opportunity to provide strength and empowerment to women and make them really understand what their capabilities are. I am a phoenix and I always rise from the ashes. I have always thought of myself as a phoenix simply because of the situations I have found myself in. There have been many instances where I haven’t felt the best but I have risen and wanted to continue fighting.” Music is powerful and provoking, Pavani wishes to create waves of change by being a part of this community and voice her truth through her music. Follow her journey on instagram as she releases her new EP towards the end of the year.
Written and Interviewed by Naman
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