Singer Raghu Dixit and his band to perform live at opening ceremony of Paris Olympics 2024, says, "easy to get Bollywood acts but this represents our culture"

Raghu Dixit, the acclaimed Indian singer and frontman of The Raghu Dixit Project, is set to perform at the Paris Olympics 2024. This opportunity marks a significant milestone, not just for Dixit and his band, but for Indian independent music on a global stage.

 
Dixit, known for his unique blend of traditional Indian music with contemporary sounds, expressed immense pride and excitement about performing at such a prestigious event. "For the first time, an independent act like ours from India is also getting an opportunity to perform. It’s very easy to get only Bollywood acts but this truly represents our music, poetry and stories across languages from India and show our culture. That is the primary focus of getting a band like ours to perform," he said. The performance will take place at the inaugural India House at the Paris Olympics, conceptualized by businessperson Nita Ambani’s Reliance Foundation. This venue is a testament to India's growing global influence, showcasing the country's rich cultural heritage through music, poetry, and storytelling.

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India House is a groundbreaking initiative that highlights the country’s rising dominance on the world stage. "It represents how India is rising in terms of world decision making, there’s so much more power given to India. Even at Cannes Film Festival when we performed, there was a separate India pavilion for the first time. It’s a clear sign that across the world, India is being recognised as an emerging power in all fields," Dixit noted. The establishment of India House at the Olympics is a significant step in promoting Indian culture and arts globally. It provides a platform for artists like Dixit to showcase their talents and bring Indian music to a wider audience.

 
Dixit’s band will perform on two days, with each performance lasting 75 minutes. The focus of these performances will be on original compositions, including songs from their latest album released last year. "We will also have poetry from Karnataka, where we come from. There will be a bit of Hindi songs as well. Ideologically, our band’s aim is to spread the gospel of Indian philosophy and spirituality, and that’s what we are known for. It’s not going to be a serious performance though; we will make people sing and dance. I hope that people who haven’t experienced Indian folk music being in a contemporary way being represented, I am sure they will be thoroughly entertained as well," Dixit explained. This blend of music and poetry is a reflection of the band’s roots and their mission to promote Indian culture and philosophy through their art.

 
Dixit believes in the power of music and sports to unite people, transcending political and ideological differences. "No amount of diplomatic discussions and political negotiations are as powerful as music and sports in uniting people. I don’t think any other field can bring people of different ideologies to come together and make them feel as one. It makes everyone feel like a human being, just trying to be happy," he remarked. This sentiment underscores the importance of cultural and sporting events like the Olympics in fostering global unity and understanding.

 
In addition to promoting Indian music, Dixit is optimistic about the future of Indian athletics. He hopes that the visibility and success of Indian athletes at the Olympics will inspire a new generation of sports enthusiasts. "I hope athletics gets the recognition that it deserves and inspires another generation of athletes back home. If one man Neeraj Chopra, who won gold in Javelin Throw last Olympics, can do that, guess what the entire contingent can do," he said. This vision aligns with the broader goal of the Paris Olympics to celebrate global talents and encourage young athletes.