Conversations with Anirudh Rajagopalan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anirudh Rajagopalan.

Anirudh, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been in the United States for 2 decades, having come from Japan as a kid.

My musical journey began early, rooted in a uniquely diverse upbringing. As a child in Japan, I was exposed to a mix of musical traditions—participating in both Western and Japanese school music events, while learning the basics of Carnatic vocal music from my mother at home, and taking piano lessons from a local teacher. When you are so young and are immediately exposed to various cultures, you tend to embrace them all.

When I moved to the U.S., I had a pretty basic foundation in music, but an open curiosity to grow. I soon continued my piano training with a new teacher and further deepened my Carnatic learning as my mother began building her own music school in the Cincinnati area from the ground up. Around age 10, I started learning mridangam, which became a major part of my musical identity. I even played violin as part of my school orchestra for a few years where I gained more confidence to play in different settings. Over the years, I performed at various cultural events, locally and beyond, gaining confidence and experience in both Indian classical and Western musical spaces. And more importantly, this was when I began to understand the difference between solo and group performances, and various concert settings.

As someone who regularly engages in cultural activities year-round, I’ve always felt deeply connected to my roots. Participating in traditional rituals and events makes me feel at home, no matter where I am. These moments remind me that my culture is more than tradition—it’s a celebration of life, the foundation of where I began, and the compass that has always guided me.

In college, I was exposed to even more diverse musical influences, and by that time, my mindset had grown and changed a lot as a growing young adult.

I began to recognize connections between the musical traditions I had grown up with and the new genres and communities I was now exploring. This inspired me to start experimenting.

In the years since the pandemic, I have been teaching myself to play Hindi and Tamil film songs on the piano, blending mridangam into jazz-fusion contexts, and creating music that is a reflection of my multifaceted identity, including composing the score for a short film to be released soon from Los Angeles. Through these explorations, I realized that my culture has shaped the way I think, create, and make decisions. My roots are among the greatest gifts I’ve been given, and no matter how far I go, they always draw me back and ground me in what my identity is.

As I began sharing my music online via my socials, I saw how others were connecting with my work. People from around the world were viewing my work and I soon received “likes” and reposts from various media celebrities, especially in the Indian film industry.

It made me realize that my passion wasn’t just personal—it had the power to uplift, connect, and inspire others. Over time, this passion evolved into a sense of purpose.

This is when music became more than just an expression—it became a duty. A joyful one. I now see myself as someone serving a wider community through my music, and that motivates me to keep learning, improving, creating, and exploring other aspects. My work is shaped by Indian classical elements and World genres alike, and I see my musical journey as a way to show that there’s something greater—something deeply human and unifying—that connects us all.

Preserving culture, in my view, is most impactful when we share it. When we promote heritage, we breathe life into it, showing others—especially future generations—why it matters. My goal is to continue reaching broader audiences and create music that reflects my unique experiences and voice, while celebrating the universality of culture and sound.

Reflecting on my journey so far, I feel energized to keep going—to explore, create, and grow. I’ve learned that it’s more than okay to have a different perspective. Everyone’s story is different, and music has become the most authentic way for me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
That’s a huge question, which there wouldn’t be a straightforward answer. It has really been both yes and no.

One of the most persistent challenges I’ve faced is navigating the huge saturation of the music industry. No matter your background, genre, or level of talent, the space is crowded, competitive, and often unpredictable. Success in this field isn’t always a reflection of hard work or skill. It can come down to timing, visibility, perception, and connections, and even how one defines “success”. I’ve seen incredibly gifted artists who have spent years—sometimes decades—perfecting their craft, only to remain underrecognized. The reality is that the people who actually make it big are an extremely microscopic portion of the population that pursue such a career or related field.

I’m not someone who came into the industry with connections or a ready-made platform. I’ve had to build my journey from the ground up, relying on the encouragement of my family, mentors, and close-knit communities I could find. When I relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, I was starting from scratch—new city, new people. It took time to find some footing, and even now, it’s still a slow climb and I’m still trying to figure it out. But I’ve learned to value progress in all its forms, even when it’s quiet or unseen.

Beyond the structural challenges, there have been emotional ones—especially the pressure to conform. In a digital world where trends dominate and algorithms dictate visibility and engagement, it’s easy to feel that your individuality needs to be reshaped to fit a certain mold or expectation. There’s often this subtle expectation to adjust your sound, your image, which can come to even changing your identity to match what’s perceived as instantly popular or marketable. And for someone like me—rooted in a multicultural identity and diverse musical influences—that pressure can feel suffocating.

There were times I felt like I had to choose between authenticity and acceptance. Whether it was the nature of my work, or the cultural elements I incorporate into my music, I’ve faced external voices questioning its relevance or commercial appeal. Feelings like “Will this ever reach a wider audience?” can slowly chip away at your confidence.

Social media only amplifies that sense of comparison. It’s hard not to measure your journey against others who may seem further ahead, more visible, or more validated by numbers and comments. More people feel isolated more than ever, both physically and mentally.

For years, I did compare myself—wondering if I was falling behind, if I was missing something. But in time, I came to an important realization: I can’t be a hundred different artists. I can only be myself. My story is unique. My path is mine. And while it may not follow a conventional arc, it is a reflection of my identity.

The most fulfilling moments have come when others share that my music helped them reconnect with their own roots, or experience something new and meaningful. That, to me, is the power of music—to bridge, to heal, to inspire. And in those moments, I remember why I started: not to chase trends, but to tell a story only I can tell.

What began as a passion has become a calling—one grounded in culture, purpose, and service. The road hasn’t always been smooth. But the ups and downs have all shaped me. They’ve helped me build resilience, self-awareness, and a deeper connection to the work I do.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, I am a music composer, director, and performer. Currently, I work in health insurance full-time while managing my musical career outside. As a musician, I specialize in mainly piano and mridangam, though I have had experience in basics of filming, cinematography, and music production. In recent years, I have been introducing my musical styles to new audiences, such as my work with my jazz-fusion band and as a content creator. Currently, I am working on growing my audience through a variety of means, such as performing live shows and posting covers on my social media pages. As of now, I feel I am mainly known for being able to adapt my techniques to a variety of new settings and seeking ways to bridge my skills as a mridangist and pianist to other genres and environments.

I feel very proud and fortunate to have come from a family of musicians who have never stopped believing in me, even after so many years of life. My parents were the first to really support me musically along with other responsibilities that made their plates full. In addition, I was lucky to have a number of great teachers and mentors in my life who introduced me to music in a way that soon did not feel like an assignment. I think when I started to personify my relationships with my instruments, I felt a much deeper connection with them, that there was always something new and exciting to learn and play, and something new that I could possibly share or teach with the world. In recent years, social media has been that outlet for me, especially considering I live alone, to continue honing my skills, performing, sharing my work, and maintaining my relationships with my instruments. I see myself inclined to grow in the direction of collaborating with more artists, beyond my home, possibly crossing oceans.

As far as how I can set myself apart from others, I don’t really know a good answer. The world is so big, and I am still trying to figure my own life out as well. We are all consistently seeking to become better versions of ourselves, to learn who we are, as individuals, and as communities.

I think that the greatest gift we all share is our humanity and our love for the arts. And I think what sets us apart from each other is our own life journey, our individual qualities and passions. I happened to come from the kind of family I have, and I happened to have the amazing opportunities I have had for years. But none of these came easy.

I would say that what has kept me going is the sense of patience, perseverance, and belief that my parents ingrained in me from my early formative years, which helped me develop more meaningful connections with my instruments and work, despite all the doubt that I can receive even today from others.

My experiences have really been stepping stones which have led me to explore what more I can continue doing as a musician. I want to continue growing my audience, making people happy, but also stay dedicated to where I came from and continue to support those who have raised me, and actively participate in ways that support others.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
There are a lot of things about the Raleigh/Durham area which I have grown to appreciate and embrace, such as the amazing sense of community here that is always there to support each other. I mean, I moved to Raleigh knowing absolutely no one. So I could only rely on Facebook groups to really continue my musical journey in a new city. Over the past few years, I was able to connect with very many like-minded musicians who were in the same boat as me, and we have been spending our time creating fun new content for new audiences. Compared to a few years ago, I would have never imagined myself playing mridangam for a jazz band, being an active content creator on social media, composing music for a film, or even directing short films. I think that because I never gave up on the community, I was able to participate in such opportunities I have received so far, and I see it getting better from here.

The thing I find most challenging about the city is that most young people tend to live alone, especially if they do not already have a close friend, partner, or spouse living with them. North Carolina is a really beautiful state with great weather and ease of access to everything I like. It is really amazing. I’m especially grateful for the vibrant music community here, which has brought me a great deal of comfort and a feeling of belonging. I know that with time and effort, I can continue to grow those meaningful connections. I just have to keep going.

Pricing:

• Live Gigs: $125 per hour
• Private Events: $100 per hour
• Merchandise: Varies by product

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anirudhrajagopalan.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudhvraja/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudh-rajagopalan/
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/anirudhrajagopalan
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@anirudhvraja