Aditya Rikhari Reflects on Hyderabad's Warmth and His Musical Journey
Singer-songwriter Aditya Rikhari recently returned to Hyderabad for his second performance in the city, a show originally scheduled for December but postponed due to a health setback. Remarkably, the delay appeared to strengthen the bond between the artist and his audience.
"Hyderabad has always been a lovely place to perform," Rikhari expressed warmly. When the December date was rescheduled, his Instagram quietly filled with messages from fans eagerly asking about his return. "I didn't even realise so many people were listening to me," he admitted, visibly moved by the outpouring of support. He emphasized that the city's genuine warmth and infectious enthusiasm are precisely what consistently draw him back.
Performance Vibe Versus Songwriting Emotion
In a candid conversation with Hyderabad Times, Rikhari delved into the distinct realms of writing and performing music. He explained that a song truly evolves when it encounters a live audience. "Performance depends on the vibe, the sound, and the kind of audience, but songwriting depends purely on feeling," he clarified.
His creative process is intentionally simple and patient. "I wait for the lyrics and melody to come to me. They arrive when I'm relaxed," he shared. Tracks like Paaro and Raatein Guzari take on a vibrant new life on stage, according to Rikhari. "Both have a rollercoaster in their composition. With violins, flutes, and layered choruses, they gain a fresh intensity that I love performing."
The Power of a Small Vocabulary
Reflecting on his early career, when his debut song Tu Kahan brought him into the spotlight in 2020, Rikhari confessed he never anticipated his music reaching its current scale. "Not at all. I didn't even think it would get to one per cent of where it is today," he admitted.
He described his approach as intuitive and unscripted. "I had no playbook. I just started writing what I felt," he said. Rikhari prioritizes emotional impact over linguistic complexity. "I prefer lesser words but greater impact. I have a very small vocabulary, so I keep shuffling the same words until they land emotionally."
The Surprising Destiny of Sahiba
When discussing the response to his biggest hit, Sahiba—released in 2023 but experiencing a massive surge in online popularity in 2025—Rikhari made a startling revelation. "I didn't even want this song to be released," he confessed. "I didn't think it was that special."
The song, which has since become a quiet anthem for unspoken emotions, owes its success to its inherent simplicity, he believes. "Minimalism was the speciality. More than anything, Sahiba taught a bigger lesson that every song has its own destiny. It will go where it's supposed to," he concluded thoughtfully.
Rikhari also shared insights into his creative inspiration, noting that for emotional reference points in his songs, personal experience isn't always necessary. "I've grown up watching films, so I understand what a character feels—I just try to put myself in that space," he explained, highlighting his empathetic approach to songwriting.
