As the environmental crisis deepens, more and more Indian musicians are using the power of music to create environmental awareness and activism. From green-themed songs and sustainable tours to eco-music festivals that serve as green initiatives in themselves, these musicians are fusing art with activism-demonstrating that songs can mobilize more than just emotions.
Key Points
Artists Spearheading the Green Movement
Aditi Veena (Ditty):
Acclaimed for her introspective and environmentally aware music, Ditty interweaves ecological loss and resilience into her compositions. Songs such as "Eulogy for a Sparrow" dwell on sparrows vanishing from Delhi, while "On an Island" deals with urban environmental stress. Ditty's 2020 "Make Forests Not War" tour was carbon neutral, with native trees being planted to help cancel out emissions.
Elijah Emmanuel:
A musician and educator, Emmanuel brings music and nature together in his Seeds of Banyan school in the Aarey forest of Mumbai. He takes his students to outdoor classrooms where he helps connect them with the natural world by highlighting music as a healing medium and a binding force.
Ricky Kej:
Multi-Grammy award-winning artist and environmental activist, Kej practices a low-carbon lifestyle and utilizes his music-also the Grammy-winning "Divine Tides"-to impart messages of coexistence and sustainability. He carbon audits and offsets his carbon footprint and invests in renewable energy.
Rain in Sahara:
This Assam-origin band combines hip-hop, rock, Latin, and electronic genres to talk about climate change, displacement, and social justice. Their new EP, "You Think Our Future is a Joke," seeks to create dialogue and provide hope in the face of climate anxiety.
Planet Symphony Orchestra (PSO):
PSO was established by Narasimhan Ravikiran and brings together musicians globally to highlight climate change through compositions such as "The Climatrix Symphony - Planet Anthem."
Bombay Jayashri:
Jayashri, an Earth Day Network ambassador, co-authored "Dharti Ma," a dedication song to Mother Earth performed in eight languages by world-renowned Indian artists.
Music Festivals and Events that are Creating an Impact
Echoes of Earth Festival:
This green festival, which was recently organized in Goa, incorporates music, art, and sustainability. The 2024 event redirected more than 2,300 kg of trash from landfills, had wildlife-inspired works of art, and planted one tree per ticket sold. The festival's philosophy: music as nature celebration and a tool for nature education.
WWF-India's Earth Hour Festival:
The 2025 event used art and music to spark conversations around water conservation, engaging communities and raising environmental awareness.
Music as Protest and Healing
Indian music has a long tradition of environmental advocacy, with songs serving as tools for protest and consciousness-raising. Academics like Radha Kapuria and Priyanka Basu highlight how performance practices in South Asia have historically intersected with ecological thought.
Industry Shifts and Global Context
Fired by global performances such as Coldplay-who cut 59% of their tour emissions-Indian artists are now more inclined than ever to think about the planet's well-being during their concerts and tours, despite the costs.
Conclusion
Indian artists are leading the way in a cultural revolution, using their voices to promote a healthier world. From emotive song lyrics, eco-friendly festivals, and activist campaigns, their actions are making music a force to be reckoned with for the environment.
Sources: Mid-Day, Musifie, The CSR Universe, Homegrown, Hindustan Times
