Its not the popularity that gives pop music it's allure, but the ability to stay with you, saying exactly what you’ve felt but couldn’t put into words. In its creative yet bare-bones simplicity lies its resonance with the lyrics landing just right, reaffirming your inner monologue or a melody embedding itself as an earworm. In a lot of today’s indie and pop music, there is a growing space for something more thoughtful and more personal.
Which is where Ritwick Das fits in. The New Delhi-based singer-songwriter and producer has carved a niche in the contemporary desi pop space by doing something deceptively simple: telling the truth, gently.
Ritwick’s journey into music started at six, with tabla lessons which gave him his first real sense of musical discipline and instinctive rhythm. Later, with an introduction to Western classical music, he got into composing. "I remember being completely taken by the emotional power of the compositions. That night sparked something in me — a desire to learn the piano, not just as an instrument, but as a tool to create melodies," he shares.
However, the shift to singing and songwriting was unexpected for Ritwick. With poets like Keats, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and Mir Taqi Mir occupying most of his reading hours, the artist was moved by their ability to capture the human condition in a concise way. This what led him to write his own lyrics.
"I spent years just listening — to everything. From regional music to global chart-toppers, that wide range of music appreciation shaped how I hear, feel, and create today."Ritwick Das
His sound draws from an intriguing palette: the nostalgia of Indian pop icons like Alisha Chinai and Colonial Cousins, the emotional clarity of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, and a commitment to simple storytelling. He looks to artists like Bombay Vikings and Shaan, who blend strong melodies with a deep emotional core; creating something timeless, heartfelt, and honest.
"Over time, I feel like the essence of authentic Desi pop has faded — caught somewhere between the rise of minimalist global production and the growing influence of hip-hop. Of course, music is constantly evolving, and each generation brings its own sound and energy. But I do feel that the uniquely Desi soul of Indian pop — the kind you felt in songs like 'Made in India', 'Tanha Dil', or 'Kya Soorat Hai' — isn’t as present anymore," he explains. What Ritwick is trying to do with tracks like 'Tu Aur Main' and 'YAAD', is to bring that feeling back in a way that resonates with today’s listeners.
After years in the corporate world, Ritwick made the leap to music full-time in 2025; a decision not taken lightly, but one that feels inevitable in hindsight. Since December 2023, he’s released seven tracks and is currently working on five more. The numbers are beginning to stack up — over 30,000 YouTube subscribers, 150,000 streams, and growing social traction. But what sets him apart is not scale, but sincerity.
The artist explores themes of mental health, heartbreak, emotional resilience and internal conflicts that emerge from lived experience. "The emotions I write about, especially themes like love, love at first sight, or lifelong companionship, often come directly from my own relationship with my partner. That connection has been a constant source of inspiration, and it naturally finds its way into my lyrics," he says.
Ritwick is on a mission to revitalize desi pop and back it just as relevant as it was in the early 2000s. He's doing so with songs that speak the language of vulnerability without the spectacle of contemporary pop. By building a home for softness, Ritwick creates music that captures the emotional minutiae we often fail to name, but instantly recognise.
Follow him here and listen to music below:
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