An independent music composer and producer who blends electronic, pop, indie, and folk genres through storytelling, Aniruddha Roy is inspired by global cultures and philosophy. He has performed the world over, winning accolades and has released albums.

Aniruddha Roy is an independent Music Composer, Producer, and Writer.

Currently, he works independently and collaborates with other freelance artists from around the world. He mainly composes genre-specific electronic and pop music, along with Indie and folk blends. Generally, he does not restrict himself to one genre; instead, he prefers a combination of genres, which he consciously utilizes in his work.

Music Composer Aniruddha Roy has performed extensively across India, South Korea, Japan (particularly Fukuoka), and Canada—mainly in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. These experiences were overwhelmingly positive, allowing him to collaborate with artists from diverse cultures. He built strong connections with Korean and Japanese artists and plans future collaborations.

In Canada, he performed with South Asians, Canadians, and Middle Eastern communities, reflecting the country’s cultural diversity. Before becoming fully independent, he was associated with a Kolkata-based band called Crossroads. Together, they released an album titled Aaina, and one of its songs was nominated for the Mirchi Music Awards in Bengal. Although they did not win, competing alongside major bands like Fossils was a significant achievement.

In 2020, he received his first internationally recognized solo achievement—a Juke Music Award from France—winning Best Artist in the EDM/Electronic category.

In 2019, while working at KIIT University, he introduced a unique initiative at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (India’s first fully free tribal university). He founded a tribal choir named Kalinga Avatar, launched on 2 October 2019 during Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti celebrations by the former Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. The choir later performed at the World Poets’ Congress. This 35-member choir used indigenous and Adivasi languages along with traditional instruments, creating an authentic yet mainstream-accessible musical experience.

To mix genres and apply them creatively is a defining feature of many of his songs. He often uses folk melodies and folk instruments—such as the Iktara and the Dotara—and blends these elements into pop or Indie-pop songs to complement the emotion and movement of the composition. His primary intention is always storytelling. For him, music is not just about sound; it is about narrating a story.

He believes that, even when someone reads the lyrics, they should experience a complete story—from beginning to end—whether the theme is loneliness, happiness, celebration, or reflection. He strongly believes in the saying, “Music is a universal language,” and through storytelling, he tries to express this universality in his music.

Roy says that inspirations in life change with time. During childhood, inspirations and desires are very different. In his early years, music was not directly present in his environment, but it existed indirectly. His grandfather was a revered saint, and Aniruddha often accompanied him to temples, where kirtans were performed. While others focused on the devotional aspect, his attention was drawn to the percussion instruments. As a child, he was fascinated by how different rhythms were produced. This curiosity led him to begin as a percussionist.

During his school years, he started playing the Bongo and the Congo—African percussion instruments—and got opportunities to perform and represent his school in various co-curricular activities. He traveled to different places for performances, and gradually, his interest in music deepened. Around classes 5 or 6, he saw a Keyboardist perform for the first time during an event in Jamshedpur. He was amazed by how a keyboard could produce multiple tones and sounds, unlike a piano, which typically follows a single tonal structure. This exposure sparked his interest in keyboards, and he began learning to play one.

At that stage, artists like A. R. Rahman inspired him greatly. During an era dominated by ‘Dholaks’ and Harmoniums, Rahman introduced electronic sounds into mainstream music. As a child, new sounds fascinated Aniruddha, and he was eager to explore how they could be used creatively. Over time, his musical horizon expanded. He also began listening to artists like Yanni, whose music focuses more on instrumental performance than lyrical composition. He admired how symphonies could be blended with electronic elements, shaping expansive musical landscapes.

Beyond music, one of his lifetime inspirations is David M. Solomon, the CEO of Goldman Sachs. Roy finds him inspiring because he balances a corporate leadership role while also pursuing his passion as a DJ. This duality motivated Aniruddha to believe that professional responsibility and personal passion can coexist.

Musician Aniruddha Roy was born in Jamshedpur and completed his schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, as his father worked in the central government. His entire school education—from beginning to end—was in Kendriya Vidyalaya, which he describes as culturally inclusive and rich in extracurricular activities. This ecosystem played a crucial role in shaping his inclination toward music and performance. Influenced by his grandfather and inspired by senior students who performed at school events, he felt motivated to pursue music actively. For many children, these opportunities also meant traveling and experiencing life beyond classroom studies, which further fueled his enthusiasm.

With consistent practice, he improved and was selected for school music teams. Kendriya Vidyalayas also host Social Science Exhibitions at cluster, regional, and national levels, and Aniruddha performed up to the regional level during his school years.

After completing school, he pursued his graduation at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. This phase marked a drastic transition—from merely covering music to creating original compositions. During his bachelor studies, he represented his university in South Korea and Japan as part of a cultural exchange program. As a pianist and keyboardist, he traveled twice consecutively to both countries for music promotion and performances. These experiences gave him exposure to diverse cultures and helped him understand how music functions across genres and traditions worldwide. His network expanded, and his understanding of music deepened significantly.

Speaking about role models, he reiterates his admiration for David M. Solomon. Within his family, his grandfather remains a major influence. Though his grandfather is no longer alive, Aniruddha deeply respects the wisdom and dedication he displayed. People from various backgrounds would seek his grandfather’s advice, which was always unbiased and addressed the root of the problem. This taught Aniruddha that true fulfillment lies in serving others selflessly.

Music Producer Aniruddha Roy draws parallels between this philosophy and music. A musician does not always express personal emotions; often, music is created to impact others, motivate them, and connect with their experiences. This mindset is another reason his grandfather continues to inspire him.

Aniruddha Roy strongly believes in quotes and philosophies that shape daily conduct. One line, shared casually by a friend during his 11th grade, stayed with him: “Respect everyone, but follow only those who help you grow.” He lives by this principle, respecting all individuals equally—musicians and non-musicians alike—while choosing his inspirations carefully.

Another quote he follows is: “Quality is not an act; it is a habit.” He believes quality cannot be demonstrated occasionally; it must be embedded in daily practice. In music, regardless of genre, notes must be in tune. If music is not in sur (pitch), it does not feel pleasant to the listener. Through disciplined practice, quality becomes second nature.

He acknowledges that motivation fluctuates, and everyone experiences low phases. During such times, he reminds himself: “Everything you achieve lies beyond boredom.” Mastery requires repetitive practice, which can feel monotonous. Whether practicing piano or vocal riyaz, repetition is unavoidable. Beginners often want to learn songs quickly, but without practice, learning remains superficial. He explains that maestros and gurus repeat the same exercises for hours to deliver a flawless performance for just a few minutes.

Advising newcomers, he emphasizes that not everything is interesting all the time. Success requires crossing boredom, especially for independent artists who must handle every aspect of production themselves. Independence comes at a cost, but it also offers creative freedom. Today’s decentralized music distribution allows artists to self-publish through platforms like YouTube and Instagram, but consistency is essential.

He cautions against blindly following trends, as it leads to loss of identity. Instead, artists should focus on building a community and expressing their authentic voice. Popular music (pop) simply means what resonates widely, it is not confined to one sound. Bollywood music, for example, blends multiple genres seamlessly.

Ultimately, Independent Music Artist Aniruddha Roy believes artists must understand what truly connects with them. His music largely carries acoustic, Indie, and positive vibes, especially suitable for travel. He seeks motion in every song and believes artists should focus on their most natural form of expression for long-term growth.