Yuvraj

A self-taught musician from the Bajantri (instrumentalist) community of Darth village, Yuvraj is a coveted artist in Himachal Pradesh, known for his traditional Kului folk melodies. He takes major inspiration for his music from various festivals like Kullu Dussehra and Makkar Sakranti expressing romantic as well as religious tales of the region. His first song was based on the story of his paternal uncle and his passing away, which captivated the whole audience with overwhelming emotion.  

His masterly vocals and skilful display of various instruments like Dhol and Keyboard make him a sight to behold. Along with his group of consummate instrumentalists, He aims to reincarnate the long lost folk culture of Himachal. The group has restricted themselves to Jagratas (Night prayers) and weddings in Kullu as they currently rely on their recognition and friends for opportunities to perform.

Despite the financial difficulties faced by the musical communities of the state, he also runs a small studio for recording the traditional music played by other local musicians and helps them compose as well as record their creations making it his primary source of income. As an inspirational leader, Yuvraj believes that with the right amount of support, Himachal’s folk music can become a powerful tool for promoting their culture and aspires to take his group forward to showcase their skills in cultural events and music festivals across the country while creating opportunities for the whole community.

• Himachal Pradesh
• Kullu