Overview:
“When you start connecting with people from different cultures, you realize that the emotions are the same,” says the New York-based artist.
In a world where success usually follows a set path, Adhitavo chose something different.
The Indian-born, New York-based artist is part of a growing wave of South Asian creatives stepping into global spaces on their own terms. His work blends experimental sound, storytelling, and technology, but more than anything, it’s introspective. Much of that comes from his experience of moving between different spaces and identities.
“I’ve always been in different spaces,” he said. “For me, expression is the most important thing. I don’t care about the medium as long as I’m able to express myself.”
Not Just a Musician
Adhitavo’s journey into music was not linear.
Although he trained in classical piano for over 15 years, he initially pursued mechanical engineering in college, a more traditional path many South Asian students are familiar with. But music never left his life.
During college, he began to see music differently when he participated in a large student-led production that combined music, theatre, and performance.
“That’s what reminded me of how special arts is,” he said.
Now, instead of identifying strictly as a musician, he describes himself as a multidisciplinary artist, moving between recording, production, live performances, and storytelling.
When it Started to Matter
Over time, Adhitavo realized that his work had a real impact.
The earliest moment was during the COVID-19 lockdown in India, when he released his first song with his college friends on YouTube. Never before had he seen how his music could 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 said, referring to the chaos that the COVID-19 pandemic was creating in India. “Nothing beats that feeling when you put your first record out.”
The song gained popularity and was even featured in Rolling Stone India. But a project he worked on later reached an even wider audience.
Adhitavo was commissioned as a songwriter and music producer for the ninth-anniversary campaign of Clash of Clans (India), a Finland-based mobile strategy game. After writing music for it, exploring the idea of a constant human search into the unknown, he began to see people from around the world connect with his work.
“I could see hundreds and hundreds of comments [on YouTube],” he said. “That’s when it sparked a thought… there’s so much power in music to impact people.”
That realization came with both excitement and responsibility.
“It makes you scared as well,” he added. “But it also inspires you… There’s a responsibility for every artist to take it seriously.”
Between India and New York
Moving from India to New York brought a completely new set of challenges.
“The first few weeks were very difficult,” he said. “I didn’t know what to write about anymore… it felt like an identity crisis.”
Everything that once felt familiar, like culture, the environment, and daily life, was suddenly gone. That discomfort forced him to rethink his identity and approach to music.
“When you start connecting with people from different cultures, you realize that the emotions are the same,” he said. “It made my work more universal.”
Along with this, it changed how he viewed his identity as an artist.
“You’re almost representing your country when you’re in a different country,” he said. “You ask yourself, what does it mean to be Indian? What does it mean to be an Indian artist?”
As time went on, he began to see his identity as something evolving, rather than fixed.
“You’re a hybrid,” he said. “You have your past experiences, and you’re creating something new.”
Culture Without Restriction
As a South Asian artist, navigating identity comes with the expectation of representing your culture and being boxed into “South Asian music”.
“I think it’s a gift to be part of a culture,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean that’s everything about me.”
Rather than confining to the label of “a South Asian artist”, Ahitavo sees identity as something layered and diverse.
“You’re in this hybrid environment,” he said. “You can draw from so many different things and become something new.”
At the same time, he acknowledges that culture is a complex thing.
“There are things you agree with and things you disagree with,” he said. “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 said. “But you should also be able to question it.”
Creating with Intention
For Adhitavo, his creative process is rooted in intention, where every element is tied to meaning and emotional impact.
“The first step is inspiration,” he said. “It’s very important to know what you’re trying to convey.”
He builds on top of that by drawing from different cultures and technologies.
“It’s about understanding what a particular [sound] effect does emotionally,” he explained. “Every element has to work together to tell that story.”
He thinks about music the same way someone would approach film or theater.
“If this was a movie, how would I score it?” he said. “How would I create that emotional journey?”
This approach is especially apparent in his upcoming album, Incongruence, where he brings together experimental sound, layered production, and storytelling to reflect themes of identity, pressure, and the feeling of not fitting into fixed systems. Each element is designed to contribute to a larger emotional experience instead of just a standalone track.
“I felt like I don’t fit in with the world,” he said. “And I wanted to express that.”
For Those Still Figuring It Out
When asked what advice he would give to young South Asians, especially those who feel like they do not fit into traditional paths, his answer was both honest and realistic.
“The first step is to celebrate the difference and not be scared about it,” he said.
But he also acknowledged that it is not always easy.
“There are expectations and limitations… A lot of times there are no pathways, and that’s a scary thing to think about,” he said. “Sometimes you can’t make that decision right away.”
Instead of drastically changing, 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 said. “At some moment, you will have the power to express it.”
For him, finding your voice is not about making one huge decision, but about holding onto what matters over time.
“Don’t give up on your future self,” he said.
Still Becoming
Adhitavo’s work does not follow a fixed formula, and that is exactly what makes it so meaningful.
He is not trying to fit into one definition of success, identity, or genre of music. Instead, he is building something that reflects all of it at once.
For many South Asians trying to figure out who they are, his message is simple:
You don’t have to fit into one space.
You’re allowed to create your own.
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