The Defining Moment: Anjana Padmanabhan on the Global Stage
Indian singer Anjana Padmanabhan will take the stage at the 10th anniversary edition of Diwali at Times Square in New York, marking a defining milestone in her decade-long musical journey. From winning Indian Idol Junior at the age of ten to returning as a finalist on Indian Idol 14, Anjana’s path reflects consistent artistic growth and versatility.
The Powerhouse Duet: Anjana Padmanabhan and Rishi Singh
Her upcoming 30-minute performance will feature both solo and duet segments, including a collaboration with Indian Idol 13 winner Rishi Singh. The setlist blends multilingual medleys and Indian classical nuances within a contemporary pop soundscape, supported by immersive visual design to create a dynamic live experience.
Known for her linguistic versatility, Anjana can perform in over a dozen languages. For this performance, she will include songs in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of India’s music landscape.
The Cultural Innovation: Kazoo and Konakol Jugalbandi
A distinctive highlight of the performance will be an experimental jugalbandi between the kazoo, a wind instrument that gained attention during her Indian Idol stint, and konakol, a South Indian rhythmic vocal art form. The segment exemplifies Anjana’s approach to blending tradition with modernity and her ongoing exploration of cross-cultural soundscapes.
A Multilingual Melody Celebrating Indian Music Diversity
Adding a personal and cultural touch to the occasion, Anjana’s stage attire will be an Indo-Western ensemble crafted from her mother’s and grandmother’s Kanjivaram sarees. Designed by her longtime friend Keerthika Sivashankar, the outfit highlights sustainable design practices while celebrating lineage, heritage, and the women who have influenced her artistic journey.
Reflecting on the upcoming performance, Anjana said,
“Every performance is a chance to connect, to convey, and to evolve. It’s surreal to think that the little girl who dreamt of performing is now singing at Times Square. Music has always been my way of communicating, and performing on such a global platform allows me to share India’s diversity, culture, and emotion with audiences from around the world.”
Looking ahead, Anjana is preparing to release a series of independent projects and collaborations that explore her personal sound — a fusion of Indian classical roots and modern global influences.
Looking Ahead
As the applause from Diwali at Times Square fades, Anjana is poised to release a series of independent projects and exciting collaborations. Her future sound promises to be a continued exploration of her signature fusion—a perfect blend of her classical Indian roots with modern global influences.
