S8, Ep1 – In conversation with Niraj Chag
27 July 2026
Welcome back to another season of our Life & Smile studio, where Dr Reena is joined by the incredibly innovative composer and musician, Niraj Chag for our first episode!
Niraj is an award-winning composer, producer and artist whose music beautifully blends Eastern and Western classical traditions with contemporary soundscapes. His work spans film, television, theatre, and his own deeply expressive albums—including The Lost Souls and Mud Doll—all rooted in powerful storytelling and emotional connection. Niraj stands out as one of the very few artists crafting major works entirely by hand—composing, producing, performing and mixing every instrument himself. Niraj’s artistry shine with his ability to create music that feels both intimate and universal, weaving heritage, identity and human experience into every piece.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Their conversation begins with Niraj reflecting on his earliest memories of music and how an unlikely opportunity in his brother’s wedding band sparked a lifelong passion. Growing up surrounded by bhajans, Bollywood classics and Western pop, he discovered music through curiosity rather than formal training. Technology became his gateway into composition, allowing him to teach himself before later studying music theory and production.
Dr Reena and Niraj explore how his Indian heritage continues to shape his work today. Rather than simply preserving traditional sounds, Niraj explains his desire to reinterpret Eastern philosophy, devotional music and classical influences through a contemporary lens. For him, music is a way of expressing ideas that words often cannot, creating compositions that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable.
The conversation then turns to building a creative career. Niraj candidly shares that his strategy has always been simple: say yes first, panic later. Despite having no formal qualifications in composition, he embraced opportunities in theatre, television, film and dance, learning through every project. While his personal albums allow him to express his own emotions and experiences, collaborating with directors and creatives continually challenges him, helping him grow as both a musician and storyteller.
Wellbeing forms a central theme throughout the episode. Niraj describes meditation as one of the greatest pillars of his life, explaining how the practice has transformed his mental clarity and resilience. Whether sitting quietly, walking or cycling, he sees meditation as a form of training the mind–one that enables him to approach both creativity and everyday life with greater focus and calm. Dr Reena shares her own appreciation for music as a way to unwind after busy clinical days, leading to a wider discussion about the powerful relationship between music, mindfulness and emotional wellbeing.
The pair also discuss the realities of balancing creativity with entrepreneurship. Niraj admits that bookkeeping, contracts and business management never came naturally, but learning to embrace these responsibilities rather than resist them ultimately gave him greater control over his career. He encourages creatives to view every aspect of running a business as part of the same journey rather than separate obstacles.
Looking ahead, Niraj shares his excitement about the future, from creating more original music and composing for dance to exploring the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. While fascinated by AI as a tool for learning and innovation, he believes authenticity, human creativity and emotional connection will always remain at the heart of meaningful artistic work.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
“Say yes first, panic later.” Stepping outside your comfort zone is often where the greatest opportunities lie.
Meditation isn’t about escaping your thoughts; it’s about learning to observe them with clarity and compassion.
Technology can be a powerful creative partner when it’s used to amplify, rather than replace, human expression.
Creativity and business aren’t separate worlds. Embracing both gives you greater freedom and autonomy.
Everything you create, and every experience you have, can fuel the next stage of your journey.
A quote that resonates with Niraj – “Everything you do will be insignificant, but it’s very important that you do it.” A reminder to stay humble while continuing to create meaningful work.
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