Music won’t fix everything, but it helps us heal: Swarathma | Events Movie News

Bengaluru band Swarathma has long used music to bridge divides, spark dialogue, and make room for difficult truths. Sitting down with members Vasu Dixit, Jishnu Dasgupta and Varun Murali, it’s easy to understand why. “Music lets you have hard conversations with out friction; it gives you a gentle way to say what’s difficult,” says Jishnu. “Through music, we can start conversations and initiatives that bring people together, united by their love for the city,” they tell us. The band is set to unveil their new track, Belongaluru, at a city mental health festival. In our conversation, they reflect on how music, belonging, and authenticity intersect – using their art to connect people, encourage honest dialogue, and celebrate Bengaluru.‘MUSIC LETS YOU TALK ABOUT DIFFICULT THINGS WITH EASE’Vasu calls music a kind of emotional therapy. “You can express anything through love. Even sadness or anger sits on a base of love – why else do sad songs connect? Even when you speak of distress in the city, music lets you do it with love. It helps you connect. Music isn’t the solution, but it starts you on the path,” he says.

‘THE CITY IS YOUR HOME – MAKE IT YOURS’“Every city has its rhythm,” says Vasu. “Mysuru is relaxed. Mumbai moves fast. Bengaluru is now grappling with who belongs, how much Kannada you speak, and what makes a ‘real’ Bengalurean,” he points out. Vasu believes belonging is a two-way street. He says, “People who’ve lived here long must allow others their space; newcomers must also take ownership.” He shares a small act of pride, with, “We haven’t thrown out garbage in eight years – we segregate and hand it over properly. This is my way of owning the city. If it’s your home, treat it like it.”

‘SOCIAL MEDIA TAKES MORE THAN IT GIVES’The band admits they feel the pressure to be visible online. “It’s a necessary evil,” says Jishnu, adding, “We’d love to just make art, but visibility rules today. Artistes are made to feel inadequate because that fuels the industry.” Vasu adds, “We haven’t even completed a video and we’re already thinking about its promotion. Uploading constantly becomes pressure unless you enjoy it. Art should be found be cause people like it – not because we push it.” Varun agrees, “Social media makes everything look and sound the same. Mediocrity becomes the norm.”‘NOTHING REPLACES THE BEAUTY OF LIVE MUSIC’Despite digital pressures, Swarathma considers live music sacred. “We’ve been a live band for years. The mistakes, the sweat, the audience – that connection is irreplaceable. You may get 20 million views, but the truth is on stage,” says Vasu. He adds that audiences are returning, pushing them to raise the bar. Varun shares one wish, “If only phones were banned at shows. Everyone’s busy recording instead of experiencing. The moment is meant to be felt, not filmed.”‘WE HOPE PEOPLE HUM THIS SONG WHENEVER THEY NEED A SENSE OF BELONGING’ Their upcoming track Belongaluru is more than just a song, the band insists. “It’s a culture project,” says Jishnu. “The idea is: what if this became a phrase that brings warmth back into the city, especially now, when people are increasingly divided along linguistic lines. Bengaluru has always welcomed outsiders and allowed them to contribute. Musically, it’s a simple, catchy tune, but I hope people hum it, remember it, and use it whenever they need a sense of belonging.”