Latest news with #Pearls
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
I've always respected film music, but for me, independent music is where truth lives: Rubal Sikka
New York-based singer, songwriter, and producer Rubal Sikka has teamed up with UK rap star Raxstar for his track, Haan Di. Themed around heartache and resilience, it resonates with those navigating the complexity of emotions like love, loss, and personal growth. 'Collaborating with Raxstar again was a pleasure.," says Rubal, adding, "We've worked together before on Pearls, and the chemistry has always been effortless. He brings such a strong lyrical presence, and his ability to fuse depth with swagger really elevated the track. We both bring different influences — me from New York, him from the UK — and that contrast adds a lot of flavor. We've got mutual respect for each other's craft, and that makes the process smooth and creatively fulfilling. ' Excerpts from a conversation with Rubal. Q: You've been around the music space for a while now. How's the Punjabi music industry evolving? It's evolving beautifully. Growing up in the U.S, Punjabi music was my link to identity—it played in the background at weddings, in the car with family, everywhere. Back then, it felt more like a niche. Now, it's global. Artists are pushing boundaries, fusing traditional sounds with hip-hop, drill, R&B—you name it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo What's really powerful is the rise of independent voices. You don't need a label to be heard anymore. As someone navigating both cultures, it's exciting to see Punjabi music breaking language barriers and resonating worldwide. Q: How did your collab come about with Raxstar? It was all energy and mutual respect. I've followed Raxstar since my teenage years—he's always had this rawness and clarity in his lyrics that I connected with. When I wrote Haan Di, I knew it needed someone who could add that lyrical punch but still keep the emotion intact. I sent it to him, he felt it instantly, and we built it from there. Growing up in the diaspora, these kinds of cross-cultural collabs mean more—we're telling shared stories in different accents, and that's powerful. Q: Do you have plans for any more collabs in the future? Absolutely. I'm working with a mix of artists—some from the U.S., some from India, and even a few from the UK scene. My goal is always to blend energy, not just names. Being raised here, I've always had multiple influences—Punjabi at home, hip-hop outside—and I want my music to reflect that duality. So the upcoming collabs will definitely lean into that hybrid sound. Some emotional, some for the clubs—but all from the heart. Q: In your opinion, what is the difference between the role of independent music vis-à-vis film music? I've always respected film music—it's shaped generations. But for me, independent music is where truth lives. Growing up here, I didn't always see my story in Bollywood songs. Independent music gave me a way to express my perspective without fitting into a pre-written script. It's more vulnerable, more personal. And now, indie artists are reaching millions without middlemen. It's changing the whole landscape. I think both spaces have their place, but indie music is the soul of this generation. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Tatler Asia
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Make learning Chinese fun: Cheryl Mainland's Dragon Academy uses storytelling and technology to revolutionise Mandarin education
Language as a superpower Above Cheryl Lee Mainland used to be the translator between her two grandmothers (Photo: courtesy of Cheryl Lee Mainland) Above On her first day at school in Taiwan, Cheryl Lee Mainland introduced herself in Chinese and felt that she belonged (Photo: courtesy of Cheryl Lee Mainland) Indeed, it's no coincidence that Mainland decided to dedicate her life to making Chinese more accessible. From a very young age, she understood that language wasn't just a tool for communication—it was her ultimate connector. Born in Taiwan to a Chinese mother and an American father, she vividly recalls realising early on that Mandarin would be her secret superpower—something she discovered on her very first day at school. 'Even at that age, I was aware I looked different from everyone else—all other kids were 100 per cent Chinese,' she says. 'But I remember introducing myself in Chinese, and immediately felt that I belonged. All my insecurities disappeared. It didn't matter what I looked like because language was my way in.' That sense of belonging stayed with her through some of her most important and emotional moments. Whether acting as a translator between her two grandmothers—one in Mandarin, the other in English—or sitting across from her father at business meetings, Mainland saw firsthand how language could bridge worlds. The most defining moment came when she was able to conduct her Harvard interview in Chinese—a clear reminder of the tremendous power of language to unlock opportunities and connect different facets of identity. 'I owe so much to my parents,' Mainland says. 'At home, multiculturalism was celebrated—there was an understanding that language is more than words. It's a bridge. I carried that belief with me everywhere.' Personal challenges to a new mission of purpose Above Cheryl Lee Mainland and her children on the Pearls shoot in Bali (Photo: courtesy of Archie Geotina) Above Cheryl Lee Mainland and her children in Bali (Photo: courtesy of Cheryl Lee Mainland) Throughout her life, Mainland has leveraged her ability to act as a translator—not just between languages and generations, but also between 'consumers and businesses'. 'I am good at identifying a market that is huge, but underserved,' she says. Over two decades, Mainland has launched multiple successful online brands—including women's workwear, prom dresses and swimwear—while travelling the world with her family. Their moves took them to London, New York, Chicago and beyond, until they finally settled in Melbourne, where life's unexpected challenges took centre stage. During the Covid-19 lockdown, Mainland experienced a period most families hope to never face: her young daughter was diagnosed with kidney cancer and an extremely rare congenital heart defect. Fortunately, her daughter survived (and is 'Aurora', one of the Dragon Academy story characters), but her marriage of 17 years did not. 'It was a really challenging time,' she recalls. 'I was at my lowest.' But rather than let these hardships define her, Mainland saw an opportunity for reflection. As her daughter began to recover, she took a step back to reevaluate what truly mattered. The answer, she says, emerged through her children. Above The nine characters of the Dragon Academy (Photo: courtesy of Dragon Academy) 'During the lockdown, my daughters were learning Korean on Duolingo because it was 'cool' despite the thousands of dollars I spent on Chinese tutoring,' she says, laughing. 'That's when I knew I had to make learning Chinese as cool as Korean or Japanese.' Even without the influence of K-pop or manga, the world's hunger for Chinese speakers is growing rapidly. Experts predict the global Chinese language learning market will hit $13.1 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of nearly 12 per cent. As Dragon Academy gets ready to kick off its first round of outside funding, Mainland hopes the platform will play a major role in shaping this exciting and fast-changing industry.
