Celebrated Indian singer Aishwarya Majmudar made her UK debut last week, bringing her signature mix of soulful vocals, Gujarati folk tradition, and an undeniable love for Garba to audiences in Leicester and London.
At just 15, Majmudar burst onto the Indian music scene and has since become a leading voice in both Bollywood playback singing and traditional Gujarati folk music, especially Garba, a genre she’s now closely associated with — even though it wasn’t where she started.
Picture credit: Pukaar News
“I actually didn’t begin with Garba,” Majmudar revealed during an interview in London ahead of her performances. “I trained in Hindustani classical music, moved into Bollywood, and only then discovered Garba. But over time, it became such a big part of my life — and one that I’ve never gotten bored of. Even after hundreds of performances, it still gives me the same joy.”
The Ahmedabad-born singer has performed in over 22 languages, a testament to her vocal range and musical curiosity. But despite her wide repertoire, she acknowledges that the demand for traditional Garba remains strong.
“There are times I want to introduce new songs, but the audience loves the traditional ones. And that’s fine, because as long as the music is alive and people are dancing, I’m happy,” she says.
Majmudar credits her early exposure to music and unwavering support from her parents as the foundation of her career. Both of her parents studied classical music while pursuing other professions — her mother has a Master’s in Communication and her father is an engineer — yet music remained a constant in their home.
“They never forced it as a career path, but they never discouraged it either. They just wanted me to do what I loved, and to do it well. That support shaped everything.”
She describes her career not as something planned but as something that unfolded naturally.
“It was never, ‘This will be my job.’ It was always, ‘This makes me happy.’ And when you work from that space, risk-taking and experimenting come naturally. You don’t know any other way — it just becomes a part of who you are.”
Despite her years in the industry, Aishwarya remains deeply connected to her roots and her younger self.
“I listened to one of my very first recordings recently and I was shocked by the focus and intensity I had at that age,” she says. “It made me think — I have to compete with that version of me now. But in a good way. That younger version keeps me motivated, keeps me on track.”
While many artists look to the outside world for inspiration, Majmudar says her biggest motivation often comes from within, though she’s also inspired by athletes and visual artists.
“Discipline is key. You won’t always be motivated — that’s true in any field. Athletes, especially, have shown me what dedication looks like. I’m also a huge admirer of Michelangelo. To sleep under the ceiling you’re painting? That’s obsession — and it’s beautiful.”
She added, with a smile: “Someone once said music stands for ‘Mind Under Semi-Insane Consciousness’. That’s so accurate — because sometimes you do feel a bit mad doing what we do. But it’s worth it.”
In addition to singing, Majmudar is exploring other creative avenues. She has written three books — two fiction and one non-fiction — with the intention of turning them into web series. She’s also currently working on a musical, which she describes as one of her most exciting new projects.
“There’s a lot I want to do. I love acting, I love writing — and I’m finally starting to make time for those things,” she shares.
Like many performers, she’s learning to balance her creative life with the pressures of staying active on social media, particularly when it comes to short-form video content.
“Reels are so exhausting!” she laughs. “But that’s the world now. You’ve got to keep up. Even if sometimes I feel like I’m too old for this!”
One of the most powerful lessons Majmudar carries with her comes from her mother.
“She taught me — when you sing, become the song. Every piece has its own character and story. You need to embody that energy, otherwise it won’t connect. The song takes over, and you just become the vessel.”
With new material in the works and major performances ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be another landmark year for Aishwarya Majmudar.
“There’s a lot of good stuff coming out this year that people don’t know about yet,” she says, teasing upcoming projects. “I’m excited to finally share more soon.”
When asked to describe her voice in a flavour, she thinks for a moment.
“Vanilla,” she says. “Because it can be plain when needed, but it mixes with everything.”
