#KetchupTalks - “Ranchi gave me the soul, Mumbai gave me the wings” - singer-songwriter Krishna Pandey

The soulful melody of Unspoken won over our hearts, so we sat down with singer-songwriter Krishna Pandey to discuss the track and his journey as an indie artist so far!

In the ever-evolving landscape of the Indian music industry, a new generation of independent artists is carving out their unique spaces. Among them is Krishna Pandey, a singer-songwriter whose recent release, Unspoken, has resonated with listeners for its raw emotional honesty. Hailing from Ranchi and now based in the city of dreams, Mumbai, Pandey's musical journey has been marked by some heartfelt introspection, inspiration, and compelling collaborations. In this exclusive, candid conversation, the artist delves into the inspiration behind the track, the profound impact of his roots and the vibrant Mumbai music scene on his craft, and his vision for the future of Indian independent music.

Also Read: #KetchupTalks: "Music is a part of me without which I cannot physically live," says singer-songwriter Sukriti Bhardwaj

Read about it all here!

Can you share the story or moment that inspired Unspoken? What specific emotions or experiences were you channeling during its creation?

There are moments in life where emotions run deep, but words fall short. Unspoken was born from those quiet spaces. When you’ve felt immense love, gratitude, or care for someone close, but couldn’t find the courage or the right moment to say it out loud. It’s about those thank yous we never said, the I’m proud of yous we kept inside, and the I love yous that stayed locked in our hearts. This deeply personal emotion inspired me to create this song- a piece that could speak for all of us who’ve carried feelings in silence. 

You mentioned Unspoken reflects a phase of deep emotional introspection. How did this introspective journey influence the song’s lyrics and overall mood?

Unspoken came from a phase in my life where I was quietly sitting with emotions I never voiced, especially the gratitude I owed to people who stood by me. My fiancée, my family, my friends, they’ve all helped me through so much, but I don’t think I ever truly said thank you to them. I didn’t always value them the way I should have. That silence, that regret, that emotional weight - it shaped the lyrics and the mood of the song. It’s about the feelings we carry but never express, the people we love but forget to acknowledge. Unspoken lives in those pauses, those unsaid moments.

You wrote, composed, and sang Unspoken while collaborating with Divyesh Jaipurwale and Pratyaksh Rajbhatt. Can you walk us through your collaborative process and how their contributions shaped the final track?

Unspoken was born from a very personal space - a need to say thank you to the people who’ve silently held me through different phases of life. After the concept took shape, I sat down with Divyesh Jaipurwale and Pratyaksh Rajbhatt, and that’s when the song began to evolve. I explained to Pratyaksh that I wanted the lyrics to carry unspoken gratitude, especially toward my fiancée, my family, and my close friends. I told him, ‘I want to say, I can’t breathe without you all. You complete me’. That core emotion became the foundation of the verses. It wasn’t just about romantic love it was about deep appreciation for those who stood by me, even when I didn’t say thank you out loud. With Divyesh Jaipurwale, we focused on the hook. I told him I wanted a sentence that could truly express my inner feelings for the girl in my life, someone who’s always been there, and who, I might have taken for granted at times. That’s how ‘Kaise Main Kahoon’ came to life. We infused it with a Sufi-inspired layer, especially in sentences like ‘Reham Kara, Barsaat Bana De ’ - a kind of spiritual, emotional plea to let me be with her, to relive the peace and warmth I once had. Both Divyesh and Pratyaksh completely understood the emotional weight behind the song. Their creative sensitivity helped me turn a very internal, reflective feeling into something that people can connect with. Without them, Unspoken wouldn’t be what it is. 

As an artist from Ranchi now based in Mumbai, how have your roots and the city’s vibrant music scene influenced you as a singer-songwriter? 

My journey has been a mix of quiet beginnings and big dreams. Back in Ranchi, when I was 17 or 18, I had this small radio. I’d sit and listen to KK sir and Atif Aslam, and something about their voices felt magical to me, like they were speaking directly to my soul. That was the first time I truly felt connected to music. Even during school days, I was drawn to the stage. I used to sing at annual functions, and looking back, those were the moments that quietly shaped my identity. But like many others, I chose to pursue engineering. Honestly, that was a phase where I felt a bit lost, not sure if music was ever going to be more than just a passion. After college, life gave me an opportunity to come to Mumbai, and that’s where everything shifted. The city’s vibrant music scene, the energy, the raw grind, it pulled me in. Mumbai helped me believe that I could turn my voice into my life’s work. I stayed, I struggled, and I slowly started building my place as a singer-songwriter. So while Ranchi gave me the soul, Mumbai gave me the wings. And both will always live in my music. 

The indie music scene in India is rapidly evolving with streaming platforms and viral trends dominating the industry. Does it have an impact on your overall creative process and professional choices?

The indie music scene in India is finally blooming, and I feel truly blessed to be a part of this era. With the rise of streaming platforms and the way international bands like Coldplay are now performing in cities like Mumbai and Bangalore, it shows how open and alive the Indian music landscape has become. Earlier, it used to feel if you weren’t from the industry or didn’t have connections, making music and getting people to hear it was next to impossible. But now, with digital platforms and a more open, global audience, there’s space for independent voices like mine to be heard. I genuinely feel thankful to see this change - it’s encouraging. Today, I have the freedom to compose what I believe in, to express emotions that are real to me, and to bring those songs directly to the listeners. That shift in the ecosystem gives me confidence not just as a singer-songwriter, but also as a creator who’s building his journey from scratch. So yes, this evolving scene deeply influences me not just creatively, but also in how I approach my work with more independence and authenticity.

Who are some of the artists from this generation that you really appreciate and feel are bringing a lot of freshness and authenticity to the Indian music landscape?

I’ve always been a deep listener and there are a few artists and bands from this generation who inspire me with their freshness and authenticity. I’ve grown up listening to legends like A.R. Rahman, Hans Zimmer, and Pritam Da. Their work has always moved me, shaped my understanding of music, and made me want to tell stories through sound. From the newer wave, I’m a huge fan of The Yellow Diary, there’s something so raw and poetic about their music. Their sound feels honest, deeply layered, and emotionally intelligent. They’ve inspired me to stay real with my songwriting. Earlier, I also used to listen to a lot of The Local Train; their music had that perfect mix of indie spirit and relatable lyricism. And someone I appreciate in the current space is Siddharth Pandit, his compositions have a beautiful emotional connect and musical finesse. 

Who are some of the musicians you grew up listening to? What impact do you feel their works have had on you and your creations?

In my childhood, I was deeply influenced by the music coming from across the border. I was a big fan of Jal and especially Farhan Saeed - there was something so soulful and honest in their music that struck a chord with me. Their melodies and lyrical depth stayed with me for years, and I think that emotional simplicity continues to reflect in my music today. As I moved to Mumbai, my musical world started to open up in a new way. I was fortunate to meet and grow with some incredible musicians who became like family to me - Kunall Raj Bhatt, and the Jaipurwale family, especially Bhai Jaipurwale, Vaas Sir, and others from that beautiful Gharana. Their classical roots, musical discipline, and emotional depth shaped my understanding of composition, structure, and soul in music. So if the music I grew up with gave me passion, the people I met later gave me depth. And I feel grateful to carry both in everything I create today. 

What’s next for you after Unspoken? Are there new projects, collaborations, or musical directions you’re excited to explore in the future?

After Unspoken, I’m stepping into a space that’s both deeply personal and musically expansive. I’m working on a devotional piece inspired by Radha Rani ji, someone I feel spiritually connected to. I travel regularly to Vrindavan, and that energy, that bhakti, has started to reflect in my writing and melodies. This upcoming song will carry that devotion, but in a way that still feels intimate, emotional, and cinematic. Alongside that, I’m also exploring a fusion project that blends Indian melodies with Irish and British musical textures. I’ve always been fascinated by the raw, haunting feel of Irish music and its simplicity and depth. I want to combine that with the soul of Indian ragas and vocals, to create something emotionally rich, yet globally rooted - something that feels timeless. So yes, these next songs are going to be less about trends and more about truth - emotionally, musically, and spiritually. I’m excited to share this side of me with the world.

If you haven't already, follow Pandey's journey here.

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