Latest news with #RajaKumari
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Raja Kumari: There is so much room for experimentation in Bollywood songs
Raja Kumari, fresh from her American Music Award win for 'Renegade We Never Run,' reflects on her journey in the music industry. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and creating space for women. Kumari also expresses her love for Bollywood's vibrant music scene and its ability to connect her with a global audience. Fresh off her big win at the American Music Awards for Renegade We Never Run in the Favourite Soundtrack category, singer-rapper-songwriter Raja Kumari, (aka Svetha Yallapragada Rao), invited us into her beachside home for an exclusive chat. The singer known for Husn Parcham and Jawan Theme, posed for our camera between conversations about her journey, her genre-defying sound, and the power of owning her voice on the global stage. Excerpts… From co-hosting the AMA Red Carpet to earning a nomination and now winning for Renegade We Never Run, what does this full circle moment mean to you personally and professionally? Manifestation has always driven my career. But after 10 years and five albums, you sometimes fall into a rhythm and start questioning, should I still dream that big? Getting nominated, and now winning, for a song I created purely from passion, without expectations, is such a powerful reminder that I'm not done. There's still so much more to do, so many new places to share my music and art. I'm humbled. Five years ago, I was on the AMA red carpet interviewing the greats on live television. That in itself felt surreal. To now be on the other side, winning an award, it's a crazy full circle moment. More than anything, it reflects our growth, not just mine, but the entire community's. And that feels really powerful. You've worked globally in the music industry and this industry sure is male dominated, especially in India. Did you as an unconventional woman artiste have to fight to create space for yourself? I think all artists, in the beginning, have to fight to create space, it's part of proving yourself. But once you truly know who you are and show up authentically, things start to flow. The 'male-dominated' tag is just a perspective. The more I put out work, the more I felt that perspective shifting. And honestly, the industry today looks so different from when I started, I see so many more women getting opportunities. Yes, maybe early on I leaned into my masculine side, took on bolder themes, but I always made room for the spiritual, for the diverse. And now, I don't feel like I'm fighting for space anymore. I just hope that inspires other women to be their full selves, without giving in to the noise or the rat race. What do you love about the Bollywood music industry? Oh my gosh, I love how fun Bollywood music is! There's so much room for experimentation. Bollywood has always pulled in so many musical influences, you'll hear a Spanish section, a pop hook, and the dance elements are inspired from all over the world. I love being part of that mix and bringing my own flavor to it. And writing for films? I absolutely love it. Hearing about a character or a scene and building a musical world around it, it's such a creative rush. Bollywood is such a fun medium, and I really hope to keep exploring it more and more. Many Indian fans know you through Bollywood hits like Husn Parcham and Jawan Theme. How do these mainstream collaborations fit into your broader artistic narrative? I think it brings people to me. Bollywood offers this incredible platform to do something different on a massive scale. Like with Jawan, it probably opened in every theatre around the world at once. Hearing my voice throughout that film, I realized just how many people were being introduced to me. That's a power only Bollywood has. And because I write all my own parts when I work in Bollywood, it's not so different from my own music. So if you found me through a Bollywood track, there's a whole world of my music waiting for you. Raja Kumari with her French Bulldog, 'Luv Kumar'. She fondly calls him Lallu Your music consistently bridges classical Indian elements with contemporary hip-hop. What were some pivotal moments or influences that helped shape this hybrid sound? I think it really started when I was a teenager. Timbaland was huge in the U.S., and I remember hearing Indian samples, tablas, classical instruments on the radio. It was like proof that our culture was beautiful and deserved to be shared. Growing up in America, Indian culture wasn't widely understood. If I said I was Indian, people thought I meant Native American and they'd ask me what tribe I was from. So hearing Indian sounds in hip-hop, the coolest genre at the time, made me feel like I belonged. It felt like hip-hop was saying, you're welcome here. That moment really inspired me to see hip-hop as a space where I could be fully myself, and use it as a vehicle to blend who I am with how I create. 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 .
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Raja Kumari as first Indian to win American Music Award: Always felt like an underdog, so happy to bring the award home
Indian origin singer-songwriter and rapper Raja Kumari has won at the American Music Awards (AMA) for Arcane League of Legends: Season 2 at the 51st AMA held in Los Angeles. She was nominated in the Favourite Soundtrack category, becoming the first Indian origin musician to be nominated for an AMA. Speaking about the win, she tells us, 'Honestly, I've felt like an underdog in a lot of situations and all eyes on the underdog which is a lyric from City Slums. I've always had to believe in myself, and this win just confirms that belief and encourages me further. I'm so excited to bring this home for India.' She adds, 'I put a lot of Indian flavour into the song. I included a thal and really showcased my culture. So, for this to win, it just means that the times are changing and that people genuinely love our music. I can't wait to show the world what I have planned next.' Ask if she saw the win coming, and Raja Kumari says, 'I felt it. Honestly, I felt like God told me it was mine. That might sound crazy, but I truly believed I could achieve it. To succeed, I think you first have to visualise yourself winning. I really wanted to see it. We worked so hard on the song, and it was incredible to see it reach the Top 10 on the Spotify Viral 50 chart. Having it become a part of so many people's lives — through reels, all the stories and more — I had a good feeling that it had a great chance.' This win definitely makes India shine. Did that add to the spirit of the win? 'Exactly. Of course it did. India to the world.,' she exclaims, as she goes on to share what made the project so special. 'Whenever you work with a huge public platform [that has a global reach], so many people get to experience your work. It introduces you to new audiences and allows them to connect with you as an artiste. So, it's very special, because I feel like a whole new demographic got to hear my voice and their reactions have been so rewarding and funI'm just happy to have this opportunity and to represent India on such a big stage,' she ends.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Hans India
Collector directs immediate resolution of SC/ST atrocity cases
Nandyal: District Collector G Raja Kumari has instructed the concerned officials to take prompt action for the swift resolution of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) atrocity cases. The directive came during a meeting of the District Vigilance Monitoring Committee held on Tuesday at the PGRS Hall in the Collectorate. Speaking on the occasion, Collector Raja Kumari emphasized the need for continuous monitoring of SC/ST atrocity cases and immediate steps for their resolution. She instructed the Social Welfare Officer to submit detailed reports on the cases to the DVMC members at least one week in advance. Between April 2022 and March 2025, FIRs were registered against 287 individuals, and compensation amounting to Rs. 6.27 crore was disbursed to 471 victims. From April to May 2025, FIRs were registered against 15 persons, and Rs. 45.62 lakh was distributed among 31 victims. Further proposals worth Rs. 1.73 crore related to other cases have been submitted, and compensation will be released to the victims immediately upon fund availability, she added. Members of the Vigilance Monitoring Committee raised concerns about the establishment of cremation grounds in villages. The Collector directed the concerned RDOs and officials to focus on this issue. Currently, employment guarantee scheme funds ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh are allocated for providing facilities in cremation grounds. There is potential to set up amenities such as crematoriums with these funds, and appropriate proposals must be prepared. The Collector also instructed the Social Welfare Department to gather comprehensive data on all SC/ST backlog vacancies across government offices. Collector Raja Kumari assured that adequate facilities, including masks and gloves, will be provided to sanitation workers cleaning drains. She further promised timely payment of their salaries. Joint Collector C Vishnu Charan, Nandyal ASP Mand Javali Alphons, RDOs Vishwanath, Narasimhulu, Arunjyoti, ITDA PO Venkata Shivaprasad, Additional Municipal Commissioner Das, DMHO Venkataramana,Social Welfare Officer Chintamani, District Vigilance Monitoring Committee members and others participated in the meeting.
Hans India
20-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Collector calls for grand Int'l Yoga Day celebrations
Nandyal: District Collector G Raja Kumari has directed officials to make necessary arrangements for the successful observance of International Yoga Day on June 21. She emphasized that a large-scale yoga session should be conducted at the Indoor Stadium in Nandyal and instructed officials to ensure thorough preparations. On Monday, the Chief Secretary of the State conducted a virtual conference with district collectors to review key government initiatives, including the State Project Monitoring Group, International Yoga Day arrangements, and public service feedback. Participating in the conference from the Collectorate Video Conference Hall were District Collector Raja Kumari, Joint Collector C. Vishnucharan, DRO Ramu Naik, and other officials. During the meeting, Raja Kumari stressed the need for meticulous planning for the 11th International Yoga Day event at Nandyal's Indore Stadium. She instructed officials to extend invitations to public representatives and ensure widespread participation. To facilitate seamless execution, she directed sanitation measures around the stadium and called for a well-designed backdrop and curtain raiser event. She urged officials from various departments to actively involve members of yoga associations, students, and yoga coaches in the celebrations. Additionally, committees were to be formed at district, mandal, and village levels to oversee month-long yoga activities. Earlier, Chief Secretary K Vijayanand reviewed the progress of various state development projects through the State Project Monitoring Group. He highlighted that projects exceeding 50 crores would be directly overseen by the Chief Minister. District collectors were instructed to monitor local projects to ensure timely completion. Vijayanand announced that *Yoga for One Earth, One Health* would serve as the theme for this year's International Yoga Day. The celebrations, beginning on May 21, would continue until June 21 with various awareness activities. He confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister would inaugurate the event in Visakhapatnam. The Chief Secretary emphasized that yoga is an integral part of daily life, and efforts should be made to engage the public, students, and youth in the celebrations. He also urged district collectors to regularly review public perceptions regarding government services, ensuring citizen satisfaction and implementing corrective measures where needed.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Diljit Dosanjh's Met Gala controversy angers Raja Kumari. Why was he denied Punjab's royal heritage worth Rs 21,000 crore?
Rapper and songwriter Raja Kumari has criticized luxury brand Cartier for denying singer Diljit Dosanjh the iconic Patiala necklace for his 2025 Met Gala appearance, calling it "performative inclusion." While Dosanjh's team was told the necklace was unavailable, a version of it was previously worn by YouTuber Emma Chamberlain in 2022. Kumari pointed to this as an example of how Western institutions continue to exoticize South Asians while failing to offer genuine representation. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Diljit's Maharaja-Inspired Appearance Raja Kumari Calls Out Double Standards Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Journey of South Asian Artists in the West Singer-rapper Raja Kumari has strongly criticized luxury jeweller Cartier for refusing to lend their historic Patiala necklace to singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh for his appearance at the 2025 Met Gala . The incident sparked backlash, with Kumari expressing her frustration over what she called 'performative inclusion.' Her comments, shared during an interview with Mid-Day, highlighted ongoing issues surrounding South Asian representation in Western media and fashion this year's Met Gala, Diljit Dosanjh wore an outfit that paid homage to the Maharajas of India. Styled by Abhilasha Devnani, he walked the red carpet in a custom ensemble by designer Prabal Gurung, complete with a turban, kurta, tehmat, and a sword. His team had attempted to secure the Patiala necklace from Cartier to complete the look. However, according to Devnani, they were informed that the necklace 'sits sealed in a museum.'This same piece of jewellery—or at least a portion of it—was worn in 2022 by YouTuber Emma Chamberlain at the Met Gala, raising questions about who gets access to cultural artifacts and when. The necklace, originally commissioned in 1928 by the Maharaja of Patiala, contains 2,900 diamonds and originally weighed 1,000 carats. Valued at Rs 10 crore back then, it's now estimated to be worth over Rs 21,000 crore ($2.5 billion).Raja Kumari did not hold back while addressing the issue. She pointed out that although the West continues to exoticize South Asians, artists like herself are actively resisting being boxed into stereotypes. She specifically referenced the Cartier decision as a blatant example of selective representation."For instance, why didn't Cartier give Diljit the legendary Patiala necklace for his Met Gala appearance? Instead, they gave it to a YouTuber two years ago. That kind of erasure is infuriating. It's performative inclusion," she stated during the interview. Kumari believes such actions highlight the ongoing struggle for authentic representation, despite surface-level gestures of rapper also reflected on her early experiences in the Western music industry, noting that she was often the only Indian in professional spaces. 'Earlier, when I was writing songs for top talents, I used to be the only Indian in the room. They'd call me India or Yogi, and I'd play into it too, with lyrics about mangoes and curry,' she she acknowledged that there has been a gradual shift. 'Now there are more South Asian stories being told — not just by musicians, but also actors, writers, and directors,' she added. This evolution, she believes, is a sign that South Asian creators are beginning to take control of their Kumari also shared how her personal experiences with cultural misunderstanding inspired her music. She recalled how her insistence on wearing a bindi was questioned by her U.S. music label. In response, she created the song Bindis and Bangles, using the track as a form of cultural assertion and the disappointment surrounding the Patiala necklace, she emphasized that South Asian artists continue to carve space for themselves.
