Raja Kumari on Preserving Cultural Identity Amid U.S. Music Industry Pressures

Indian-American singer-songwriter Raja Kumari has opened up about her experiences navigating the U.S. music industry, revealing that a major American record label in 2015 suggested she would receive a larger budget if she retained her bindi, rather than “dropping” it to appeal to mainstream audiences. Kumari described this approach as a form of exoticizing her heritage, prioritizing marketability over authentic self-expression.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, she emphasized her commitment to celebrating her culture on her own terms. “I didn’t want to wear my culture as a costume. I wanted to celebrate it,” she said. This mindset guided her decision to return to India, where she could freely incorporate references to cultural icons like Meera in her music, without needing to over-explain their significance to global audiences.

Before embarking on her solo career, Kumari wrote songs for artists including Fall Out Boy, Gwen Stefani, and Fifth Harmony, an experience that helped her understand industry perceptions and recognize the uniqueness of her own artistry. She noted that when her work was sampled by others, it made her question why she wasn’t being showcased herself.

Kumari’s journey highlights the challenges artists face in maintaining cultural authenticity while navigating commercial pressures, and underscores the importance of reclaiming one’s identity in a global music landscape that often commodifies heritage.