Singer Ridi Oswal’s songs highlight issues that resonate with her
The Hindu
Indo-European singer-songwriter Ridi Oswal is currently pursuing chemical engineering in London. She is also a co-founder of anti-bullying campaign Stop the B!
Being multifaceted comes easily to Ridi Oswal. The 19-year-old Indo-European singer-songwriter, making a mark in the global music scene, is currently pursuing chemical engineering in London and is also a co-founder of Stop the B!, an anti-bullying campaign. When we address her as a versatile teenager during a video call , Ridi laughs and quips, “Teenager only for a couple of months!”
Ridi’s new single ‘Love me until you lose me’which dropped three weeks ago, has Indian and Western influences like her other songs, ‘Top Guy’ (debut single released in 2021), ‘Happier, Aaja Baby’ or the recent ‘Guilty Feet.’
She has carved a niche for herself by creating a unique sound blending two music styles. “I sing raat hi acha tha before an Indian drop happens in it which says sometimes it is better to leave things in the night than through remembering.”
Growing up in Switzerland, Ridi was always interested in music. Though her musical training began when she was four, music became a significant part when she had to switch schools due to bullying. “Ï was going through a lot in high school and didn’t have many people to speak to,” she recalls. Music was an outlet for expression and later an avenue to make a career.
Ridi’s challenging high school phase also served later as an inspiration to launch Stop The B!, an anti-bullying initiative, with her sister Vasundhara. Recalling the racism and harassment experienced in a boarding school, she says, “Switzerland doesn’t have a huge Indian population. The harassment became big but nobody understood it.” Even the school didn’t want to take the issue forward and I was expelled for being vocal. Being Indian and Punjabi, I will not hold back what I think.”
In switching schools, Ridi found solace and comfort in her sister, her lone supporter. While fighting harassment, the sisters also thought of others going through a similar situation. “We realised a safe platform where young people like us can express what they are going through and get support and advice will make a huge difference,” she says on the inspiration behind Stop the B!.
An ardent listener of different types of music, Ridi was a huge fan of Athens-based singer and artist Stella Chronopoulou in her teens. “Her music had many theatrical elements and at the same time felt like a pop field, which was amazing because I grew up watching a lot of theatre. I felt amazed when I went to Broadway and I love different types of theatre pieces. The opera is still theatre, and one of my favorites.”