Exclusive Interview with Avra Banerjee

Avra Banerjee is a seasoned Indian classical musician with over 15 years of training. A composer and sarod player, he specializes in World music and has collaborated with musicians from the USA, Europe, India, and Australia. To date, Avra has released over 35 singles and has been recognized with numerous prestigious nominations and awards, including the InterContinental Music Awards, Global Music Awards, Clef Music Award, LIT Music Awards, Indie Music Channel Awards, Akademia Awards, OneEarth Award Festival Award, X-Pose-Ing Awards, Josie Music Awards, World Entertainment Awards, Independent Music Awards and Global Indian Music Awards in categories such as World, Fusion, and Instrumental music. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?

Avra Banerjee: Honestly, I can’t pinpoint the exact moment when music truly became a part of my life. Coming from a culturally rich family, learning Indian classical music was almost a given, something I started alongside academics at a very young age. In those early years, it felt more like a routine than a passion. But as I grew older, something changed. Indian classical music reveals its depth and beauty only as you mature, and I slowly began to connect with it on a much deeper level.

Life and career eventually took over, and I drifted away from music for several years. Then one day, almost after twelve years, I picked up my instrument again, and it felt like rediscovering a part of myself I didn’t know I’d lost. From that moment, there was no looking back. Today, even though I manage a full-time career in IT, I treat my music with complete professionalism. Every composition or performance I do is delivered with the same seriousness and quality I would expect from any top-tier artist.

2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?

Avra Banerjee: I had formal training, and I firmly believe that it’s almost impossible to become a good musician without it, especially in Indian classical music or serious genres like jazz or flamenco, where craftsmanship and discipline are everything. Learning never really ends in this field.

Today, I see myself primarily as a composer and then as a performer. To be a good performer, you need relentless practice and precision. As an instrumentalist, it’s about making sure that whatever your mind conceives, your hands can translate effortlessly. Composing, in comparison, feels a bit easier because it’s more conceptual, but performance is where true mastery and control come into play.

3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘Avra Banerjee’?

Avra Banerjee: All the great legends of Indian classical music I grew up listening to have been my heroes. Their artistry shaped my early understanding of music. Over time, I also began exploring how some of those maestros expanded their work beyond classical boundaries, as well as immersing myself in other genres like jazz. So, the sound I create today is deeply influenced by those traditions and by the spirit of experimentation they embodied. If I can even achieve one percent of what they have done, I’d consider that an accomplishment.

As for my name, Avra Banerjee is my given name from my parents. I’ve never felt the need to change it or adopt a stage name. It represents who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and I prefer to keep it that way.

4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?

Avra Banerjee: Mostly, I’ve always seen music as an art form rather than just entertainment. That mindset drives me to create compositions that are intricate and musically challenging, yet still melodious and contemplative for the listener. I often experiment with multilayered melodies and unconventional rhythmic structures to keep the sound fresh and engaging. Also, as a composer, I don’t confine myself to one style. Over the years, I’ve evolved into a multi-genre artist, exploring Indian classical music, Indo-Western fusion, jazz, blues, rock, pop, and world music—both instrumental and vocal, often featuring other talented artists. I never want to be restricted by a single identity or genre; creativity, for me, is about constant exploration and expression without boundaries.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as CLASSICAL?

Avra Banerjee: As I mentioned earlier, I’ve evolved into a multi-genre artist. During my training, of course, I tried to emulate the masters I admired, but the truth is, you can never truly replicate them. Their artistry, depth, and expression are beyond imitation. Over time, I realized that if I wanted to pursue music seriously, I needed to find my own voice rather than follow someone else’s path.

I’ve never wanted to be typecast or confined to a single style. Whether I’m working within Indian classical, fusion, or global genres, I try to bring a distinct identity to my compositions. My music carries my own thoughts, emotions, and way of expression—and that individuality has gradually shaped my signature sound.

6. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

Avra Banerjee: For me, music is first and foremost about technical artistry. That’s what I value most, both in what I create and in what I listen to. I naturally focus on the craftsmanship, structure, and depth of the piece. Music, to me, is an art form, and true art must have a certain depth, intricacy, and maturity.

That said, I also recognize that cultural and spiritual elements naturally flow through music. The kind of music I’m drawn to and the kind I try to create, often goes beyond entertainment. It’s meant to evoke thought and reflection. Of course, I’ve also composed pieces that are more accessible or commercially appealing, but my primary focus has always been on artistic quality and authenticity rather than just popularity.

7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?

Avra Banerjee: The kind of music I create is a conscious choice. I’ve always gravitated toward serious, intricate music rather than mainstream or commercial forms. Naturally, such music isn’t meant for mass audiences, it requires a certain maturity and depth of listening to truly appreciate. I’m fully aware that my work may not reach everyone, but I also believe there’s no shortage of discerning listeners around the world who understand and value this kind of artistry.

For me, fulfillment begins with my own sense of satisfaction. When I compose or perform, I have to feel that the music represents me honestly. If I’m not happy with it, I wouldn’t expect anyone else to be. I’ve never wanted to create music just to please an audience if it compromises my artistic integrity.

In terms of recognition, I feel deeply rewarded by the acknowledgment I’ve received from respected institutions and juries. Most of the awards I’ve won have come in categories that recognize artistic excellence and originality, not necessarily commercial popularity—and that means a lot to me. My focus continues to be on creating authentic, high-quality music that resonates with those who truly listen.

8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?

Avra Banerjee: My creative process usually begins with a central emotion or visual image, which I then translate into melodic form. For my recent project Manoyatri, I composed and produced four intricate pieces involving 22 musicians across India, Australia, and the US. The collaboration was done entirely remotely, which required careful planning, detailed scoring, and a deep understanding of each artist’s tonal and rhythmic strengths.

Each track explores complex time cycles—9/4, 11/4, 13/4, and 15/4—while maintaining melodic continuity and emotional flow. Instrument selection was a crucial part of the process; every timbre and texture had to align with the spiritual or natural essence of the theme.

For instance, Ganga Kaleidoscope moves from calm serenity to power, blending Indian raga Jog with Western harmonies. Vrindavan Sojourn is a colourful, playful exploration of shifting emotions through jazz-infused classical fusion. When Kailasha Muses, based on Raag Bibhas, evokes a meditative aura around Lord Shiva through intricate rhythmic layers, while Yamuna Yearnings portrays divine love in the form of a Thumri that transitions between masculine and feminine energies.

What I enjoy most is seeing how these layers, melodic, rhythmic, and emotions come together to form a narrative that feels both personal and universal. Collaboration enriches that process, adding fresh perspectives while keeping the core artistic vision intact.

Link of the work – https://youtu.be/EigazEkPHls?si=B5JLnnKnUOhy_C5A

9. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?

Avra Banerjee: I wouldn’t say I’ve faced major hurdles in the conventional sense, but the biggest challenge has been time—balancing my professional career with my passion for music. I often wish I could devote more hours to composing and performing. Thankfully, my wife has been incredibly supportive, and that encouragement makes all the difference.

Another ongoing challenge is geography. Being based in Perth, Australia, the Indian and world music scene is relatively small compared to India, where I grew up, or the US, where there’s a much larger platform for collaborations and live performances. Sometimes I think things might have evolved differently had I been in one of those places. But at the same time, these limitations have pushed me to innovate, collaborate remotely, and build my own space as an artist who connects cultures across continents.

10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.

Avra Banerjee: I started pursuing music professionally quite late, but once I decided to take it seriously, I knew I wanted my work to reach beyond India and connect with international audiences. That turning point came with the creation of my project Manoyatri in 2023. It became the foundation of a much larger journey, both creatively and personally. The response was overwhelming—some of the most respected musicians and industry veterans shared their appreciation for the work, which was deeply encouraging.

Since then, things have moved quickly. In just two years, across eight to nine major projects, I’ve received over 30 international music awards and more than 50 nominations from around the world. These include honors from the InterContinental Music Awards, Global Music Awards, International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA), Josie Music Awards, Clef Music Awards, World Artistry Awards, Cannes World Film Festival, Jaipur Film Festival, and many others.

Each of these recognitions means a lot because they come from juries who truly understand and value serious musicianship, not just chart numbers. My current releases continue that trajectory, blending Indian classical, jazz, and world influences, and my future plans are focused on expanding collaborations across continents and taking my live performances to global stages.