Ajay Varma: The Melodic Voice of Modern Indian Pop
Ajay Varma is a singer-songwriter and producer who has become a defining voice in India's contemporary pop landscape. Hailing from Hyderabad, his major label debut album, Echoes, achieved gold certification in India within six months of its 2021 release.
Early career
Born in 1994, Ajay Varma began his musical journey by uploading acoustic covers to YouTube in his late teens. His self-released 2016 EP, First Light, caught the attention of indie listeners and led to his signing with the Mumbai-based label Crossroads Records in 2018.
Breakthrough
Varma's mainstream breakthrough arrived in 2020 with the single Ocean Eyes. The track, produced in collaboration with electronic musician Ritviz, spent 14 consecutive weeks on the Indian iTunes Top 100 chart and surpassed 50 million streams, earning a platinum certification.
Key tracks
Ocean Eyes — This platinum-certified collaboration with Ritviz launched Varma into the national spotlight and defined his fusion sound.
Monsoon Skies — The lead single from Echoes became a streaming hit and a staple of his live performances.
City of Ghosts — This introspective track showcases Varma's skill as a lyricist dealing with urban isolation.
Find My Way Home — A notable 2022 collaboration with playback singer Jonita Gandhi that expanded his audience.
Horizon Line — The lead single from his 2023 EP Dusk marked a shift towards more atmospheric production.
Following the success of EchoesDusk saw him working with producers from the UK electronica scene, while maintaining his signature melodic core. He has performed at major festivals like Bacardi NH7 Weekender and VH1 Supersonic.
Fans of Ajay Varma's blend of Indian pop sensibility with modern production may also enjoy the work of Prateek Kuhad, who shares a focus on intimate songwriting. The crossover appeal of Ritviz is evident, given their successful collaboration. For another take on contemporary Indian pop, explore When Chai Met Toast and their upbeat folk-pop sound.
Ajay Varma's music is a regular feature on a wide array of radio stations featured on this website. His tracks receive airplay on major Indian pop FM stations, international online pop streams, and independent music radio stations that champion crossover genres.
Listeners can discover the melodic pop of Ajay Varma through the radio stations available on onairium.com, where his hits and latest releases are regularly featured in the rotation.
