In an industry shaped by mainstream music and label-driven stars, some artists rise from the grassroots with nothing but raw emotion, lyrical truth, and cultural pride. One such voice is Shivanshu Balhara — an independent artist, songwriter, lyricist, and content creator making waves in India’s indie scene.

From scripting Haryanvi street plays to composing multilingual songs in Hindi, Punjabi, Haryanvi, and English, Shivanshu’s journey is rooted in authenticity and driven by purpose. His work blurs the line between personal reflection and universal emotion — speaking directly to a generation that’s craving real stories.

We caught up with the artist to explore his path, his recent projects, and the passion behind every track he drops.

 The Interview

Q: Shivanshu, tell us about your roots. How did this artistic journey begin?

Shivanshu:
I come from a small town in Haryana, where art mostly meant local fairs or nukkad nataks (street plays). I started with theatre writing, directing, acting in Haryanvi plays. Those early experiences were raw but beautiful. That’s where I learned the power of storytelling to make people laugh, cry, or reflect in just a few minutes.

Music came later. I started writing lyrics that reflected what I was feeling. Heartbreak, hope, cultural pride everything found a place. Eventually, I began composing, and that’s how my first few songs were born.

Q: Your recent album UNDONE has been getting attention. What’s the story behind it?

Shivanshu:
UNDONE is a piece of my soul. It blends hip-hop and R&B with Indian emotional storytelling. Every track on that album comes from a real place — heartbreaks, late-night thoughts, and those moments when you feel the world isn’t listening. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt unseen or unheard.

It was completely independent — no big label, no fancy marketing. Just real music for real people.

Q: You switch between Hindi, Haryanvi, Punjabi, and English. What inspires this multilingual approach?

Shivanshu:
Language is emotion. Some feelings come out best in Hindi, some in Haryanvi — especially when I’m talking about home, roots, or nostalgia. Punjabi has its own energy, and English helps connect with global listeners. I don’t force the language — the story decides.

This mix is part of who I am. It allows me to reach diverse audiences while staying true to my cultural roots.

Q: Apart from music, you’ve made a mark in theatre too. Tell us about Haryanvi Hawa.

Shivanshu:
Haryanvi Hawa started as a YouTube experiment and grew into a community. We crossed 1,000+ subscribers, which might sound small, but for regional, original theatre content, that’s a big deal.

We’ve created plays with humor, emotional depth, and cultural commentary — all in our local dialect. It’s my tribute to Haryana and to grassroots storytelling.

Q: Independent artists often struggle with visibility and resources. How do you handle that?

Shivanshu:
It’s tough. No sugarcoating that. You don’t have the PR teams, the big label push, or the streaming algorithms in your favor. But what you do have is freedom — to write your truth, to connect deeply, and to grow organically.

I focused on consistency. Releasing music, creating content, building my community. Every follower, every stream, every comment — it matters.

Q: Your upcoming song Nawabi Peg drops October 15. What can fans expect?

Shivanshu:
This one’s special. It’s a collaboration with ReGL, another rising independent artist. Nawabi Peg is bold, rhythmic, and emotionally layered. It talks about love, longing, and the intoxication of memories — both literally and metaphorically.

It’s the kind of song you play late at night, when you’re sipping something strong and thinking about someone stronger.

Q: Your lyrics often feel personal and vulnerable. Is music a form of therapy for you?

Shivanshu:
Absolutely. For me, music is not just sound — it’s emotional storytelling. It helps me process things. And I’ve realized that what feels personal is often universal. When I write about heartbreak, I’m not alone — someone out there feels the same.

That connection — it’s why I create.

Q: What do you hope to represent in today’s music landscape?

Shivanshu:
I want to stand for independent expression. For stories that aren’t manufactured. For regional voices that deserve a global stage. I want people to say, “He didn’t wait for validation — he created, regardless.”

There’s beauty in being real, even if it’s raw.

Q: What’s next for you?

Shivanshu:
I’m working on my second album, exploring deeper themes of love, pain, and resilience. There are more singles in the pipeline, and I’m planning new theatre projects as well.

Collaboration is also a big goal. I want to work with indie artists from different regions and genres — whether it’s R&B from Delhi or folk from Punjab.

Q: Lastly, what message would you give to other independent creators out there?

Shivanshu:
Don’t wait. Start. Write that verse, shoot that video, post that reel. You don’t need perfect — you need honest. And build a community that believes in you. Even ten real supporters matter more than a thousand silent followers.

Independent art is freedom — it’s where real voices are heard.

 Artist Snapshot

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