Singer, composer, lyricist Pratiksha Srivastava Blending classical influences with contemporary expression, she has carved a niche for herself in the world of music. Born into a family deeply influenced by classical music, she began training at the age of three under the guidance of her father, who ran a music school.
From her early days as a prodigy appearing on music reality shows to working with industry giants, Prateeksha’s journey is a testament to her dedication. In an exclusive chat with Bombay Times, she delves into her musical roots, the joy of composing music for others and the inspiration behind her latest song ‘Aankh’. Written and sung by Prateeksha Sunidhi ChauhanRusha and Blizza, music video co-starring Sanya Malhotra and the singer.
How did your upbringing and early experiences influence your journey as an artist?
I come from a breathing family. indian classical music. My father ran a music school and I began training under him at the age of three. My early exposure to music extended to participating in a children’s reality singing show, but I continued my formal education at the same time. After graduation, I decided to move to Mumbai to pursue a career in music—a decision that was wholeheartedly supported by my family, even though no one before me had ventured so far from home. Music feels like it’s in my blood; I often say the music chose me, rather than the music choosing me.
Is there a different approach to composing for other people compared to composing your own music?
To be honest, I didn’t realize I had the ability to compose music until a few years ago. I started making up melodies, imagining different sounds – sometimes it was Mohan Karnan’s, sometimes it was Lata Ji’s, even Justin Bieber’s! As time went on, my solo projects began to shift towards the indie music scene, but opportunities to compose for other artists also presented themselves. My first work for another artist was with Benny Dayal, and Aankh marks my second such project, which also includes the incredible Sunidhi Chauhan. It’s very satisfying to explore all aspects of music making within the same career.
In the process of writing this song, did you ever think that you could sing this song instead of Sunidhi?
I sang all the demos when I was writing the song, so there’s definitely a connection. However, as a songwriter, I have a clear vision of how the song should sound and who the singer should be. Sunidhi was my first and only choice and by the grace of God, I got my wish fulfilled.
What emotions or personal experiences influenced the song’s raw and bold narrative? Can you tell us a little bit about the lyrical and songwriting process behind this song?
“Aankh” delves into the dark side of love – a woman’s unspoken journey after being betrayed and hurt multiple times by her partner. It depicts her transformation rising like a phoenix from the ashes of pain. The song captures a raw, fiery energy that mixes sarcasm, revenge and unapologetic emotion.
The work draws heavily on Indian classical music and is influenced by ragas such as Purya Dhanashree. Lyrically, it pushes boundaries, boldly pointing fingers and expressing hurt. For example, the lyrics suggest that the man should remove mirrors from his home because his own reflection might give him the bad eye. It also conveys the idea that her emotional turmoil will haunt him no matter where he is. This is a story about taking back power and turning heartbreak into strength, showcasing a rarely talked about side of love where a woman refuses to remain silent.
