Svetha Yallapragada Rao, professionally known as Rajakumari, is based in Mumbai. She holds a BA in Religious Studies and comes from a family of doctors, where education and discipline were deeply valued. However, it was Indian classical dance that shaped her most profoundly.
She began training at a very young age, immersing herself in tradition, mythology, and devotion. Reflecting on those formative years, she says, “Classical dance didn’t just teach me technique, it taught me reverence, storytelling, and the sacred power of the stage.” The discipline of classical arts instilled in her both artistic rigour and spiritual grounding, foundations that continue to define her creative expression.
Art with Cultural Responsibility
Rajakumari chose her stage name intentionally. “I chose the identity of ‘Rajakumari’ as a vision, almost like embodying the energy of a goddess,” she explains. Having grown up inspired by Devi through classical dance, the divine feminine became central to her artistic identity.
While growing up in America, she noticed the absence of Indian artists in mainstream spaces. “I wanted to become the artist I needed when I was younger, someone unapologetically Indian, modern, powerful, and visible.”
Breaking into the American record label system in 2016 came with significant challenges. There were battles, resistance, and moments that demanded persistence. Yet, witnessing the cultural shift today validates that journey. “When I meet fans who proudly wear their bindis or celebrate their culture boldly, I understand the weight of the journey. We are all connected, and cultural pride is powerful.”
THE RAJAKUMARI CODE
Rajakumari believes authenticity is her defining strength. “Trends shift, genres evolve, and paths change, but I have always remained true to my vision and message.” She emphasises manifestation and cultural pride as pillars of her philosophy. “You don’t have to abandon any part of yourself to succeed.”
Her work is often associated with fusion, blending NRI identity, fashion, and genre-fluid music. Yet for her, it is not about fusion for novelty; it is about wholeness. She embodies duality without fragmentation: Indian and global, traditional and contemporary, sacred and modern. “I refuse to separate those identities.”
Discipline Before Stardom
Her artistic journey began on the classical stage. Rajakumari performed her first Arangetram in Kuchipudi at seven years and her second in Bharatanatyam at eight years. By the time she turned 10 years old, she was touring India.
Touring the country at such a young age and immersing herself in traditional arts became a defining experience. It instilled lifelong respect for classical forms, and that discipline carried into everything she pursued, from music to fashion to performance.
Growing up in America presented cultural misunderstandings. “When I told people I was Indian, they would ask, ‘What tribe?’” she recalls. Rather than discouraging her, those moments strengthened her resolve. “That confusion became fuel. I felt responsible for preserving and showcasing what I knew to be beautiful.” Having witnessed India’s artistic richness firsthand, she wanted the world to see it too.
Reinvention on Her Own Terms
The pandemic marked a significant turning point. Choosing to go independent required conviction and faith in her own vision. “I had to be willing to learn, fail, rebuild, and try again without the safety net of a label,” she says. As she approaches the 10th anniversary of her first album, she describes this chapter as the Decade of Kumari. She is currently working on her sixth studio project while planning a global tour across India and international markets.
“This year is about pushing limits, creatively, spiritually, and professionally,” she explains. With experience behind her and clarity ahead, she is ready to give her art “an honest, fearless chance.”
Art as Offering
For Rajakumari, art is not pursued for fame. “My art has always been an offering, an offering to God,” she says. Grounded by family and spirituality, she views music as her dharma. As a songwriter, she believes artists give language to emotions others struggle to articulate. “Life can feel isolating, but when someone hears a song that perfectly mirrors their feelings, they no longer feel alone. That is sacred to me.” Her non-negotiable value is integrity. “I will never compromise on my art, my message, or my purpose.”
Building What Cannot Be Taken
To the next generation of women, her message is direct: “Believe in yourself and stop second-guessing your voice.”
As she completes a decade in the industry, she resists the pressure to reinvent for validation. “If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be: don’t change. Growth will happen naturally, but never lose your original passion or perspective.” Her advice to emerging artists is equally pragmatic: invest in craft, build authorship, and write your own music. “When you are the creator, the writer, the architect of your art, you build an empire that cannot easily be taken from you.”
Today, she defines success as alignment. “Staying true to who I am while continuing to evolve, that is more powerful than fame.”
