Pooja Gaitonde: ‘The intention is never to dilute tradition, but to open a door to it'

At a time when music is increasingly shaped by algorithms, trends and fleeting attention spans, singer Pooja Gaitonde is determined to prove that tradition and contemporary appeal can coexist. Rooted in classical training yet unafraid to experiment, the artiste believes the key lies in authenticity rather than compromise. MAKING TRADITION ACCESSIBLE For Gaitonde, simplifying music for modern audiences does not mean sacrificing its essence. “Music, at its core, is about the soul,” she says. “Depth doesn’t always live in complexity. Sometimes the most profound truths are expressed in the simplest words.” Drawing inspiration from the works of saints and poets such as Bulleh Shah and Mirabai, she strives to present timeless ideas through a soundscape that resonates with contemporary listeners. “The intention is never to dilute the tradition, but to open a door to it,” she explains. “I use my classical gayaki in a way that is soulful and sincere, even when the surface feels contemporary.” WHY SUFI MUSIC STILL CONNECTS While acknowledging the importance of understanding trends and creating memorable musical hooks, Gaitonde rejects the notion that Sufi music lacks mainstream appeal. “I do recognise the need to work with trends and be mindful of what resonates quickly,” she says. “But I genuinely believe my classical training gives me a richer toolkit for doing exactly that.” Pointing to the popularity of Sufi gatherings and Qawwali concerts, she adds, “The audience is there. It always has been.” THE FINE ART OF FUSION Gaitonde's collaborations have often explored the meeting point between genres. Reflecting on her work with jazz legend Louis Banks, she says successful fusion depends on mutual respect rather than compromise. “Neither of us allowed the essence of Sufi or Jazz to be compromised,” she recalls. “The two traditions were allowed to speak to each other, not overwrite each other.” While she remains open to criticism, she approaches it with balance. “When something resonates as valid, I take it seriously. When it doesn’t, I thank the person and move on.” NAVIGATING A MALE-DOMINATED SPACE The singer also speaks candidly about the challenges women continue to face in the music industry. “It is a male-dominated space — not just in terms of representation, but in the energy, the networking and the way opportunities are allocated,” she says. “There is still an unspoken assumption about who belongs at the centre of this genre.” Despite these challenges, she credits her loyal audience for helping her stay grounded and motivated throughout her journey. TALENT BEYOND FOLLOWER COUNTS In an era where social media metrics often determine visibility, Gaitonde worries that artistry can sometimes take a back seat to packaging. “An artist’s value is increasingly measured by follower counts and visibility, not by years of riyaaz, the depth of their poetry or the sincerity of their craft,” she says. Her advice to aspiring musicians is pragmatic rather than cynical. “Let your art be uncompromising, but also learn to present it to the world with intention. When real talent meets smart presentation, that is when something truly special happens.”For Gaitonde, the future of music lies not in choosing between tradition and modernity, but in allowing both to enrich each other.