From classical discipline to Punjabi chartbusters: Ragini Tandan’s musical journey

Ragini Tandan grew up in a home where music was not a choice but a constant presence. Born in Ambala, Haryana, and later brought up in Delhi, she was surrounded by sound and rhythm from an early age. Her mother trained in classical music, her father continues to learn, her grandfather played the flute, her brother sings, and her cousins are pianists. “If one says that music runs in my blood, it wouldn’t be wrong,” she says.

She began singing when she was just four. Formal training in Hindustani classical music followed at the age of 16, laying a foundation that continues to define her sound today. “Classical training forms the bedrock of my vocal style,” Tandan explains. “It gives me technical precision and emotional depth, which shine through even in pop and Punjabi tracks.”

Growing up with music

While Ambala shaped her instinctive relationship with music, Delhi gave it direction. “Music has had a huge impact on my life in Delhi,” she says. She entered Delhi University through the Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) category because of music, a turning point that placed performance at the centre of her everyday life.

“My college years were filled with music competitions and festivals where I had the chance to perform,” she recalls. “Singing in front of an audience gave me confidence.”

Her roots, however, remain deeply tied to Ambala’s close-knit musical culture. “We often gathered to sing for one another and performed at various events, sometimes weddings, sometimes dinner parties,” she says. “Even now, whenever our group comes together, we still sing with and for each other.”

Equally important was the guidance of her guru, Nidhi Narang. “The practice and training I received from her were incredibly valuable,” Tandan says. “Those moments have played a very special role in my life.”

Songs that struck a chord

Tandan’s professional breakthrough came with Nahi Jaana, a song that quietly made its way into countless wedding playlists across India. Soon after, Lamberghini turned into a Punjabi chartbuster and a cultural moment, later inspiring versions by other popular singers.

“Both Lamberghini and Nahi Jaana captured a certain rawness and emptiness, as I like to call it,” she says. “The songs let the voice shine, without drowning everything in heavy beats or over-the-top production.”

She believes the songs connected because they tapped into something familiar. “They reminded people of simple, catchy folk tunes hidden somewhere in the subconscious of millions,” she explains. “The blend of Punjabi beats with strong hooks made them perfect for parties, drives and so many everyday moments.”

For her, Lamberghini holds particular significance. “Every artist hopes for a song like that at some point in their career,” she says. “I am beyond grateful that it was just my second song.”

Classical roots, modern sound

Despite working extensively in pop and Punjabi music, Tandan remains firmly anchored in her Hindustani classical training. “It taught me breath control, intricate taans and raga-based expression,” she says. “I try to weave these elements into modern melodies to add soulful layers.”

This grounding allows her to move across genres with ease. “In pop, classical training brings subtlety and resonance,” she explains. “In high-energy Punjabi songs, it ensures clarity and power, without becoming shouty.”

Interestingly, Punjabi is not a language she speaks fluently, but that has never limited her connection to the genre. “It’s all about practice,” she says. “I rehearse the lyrics repeatedly and make sure someone explains their meaning beforehand so I can channel the emotion correctly. I understand most of it. A little extra rehearsal on pronunciation goes a long way.”

Inspired by Sunidhi Chauhan

Among the many voices that shaped her musical imagination, Sunidhi Chauhan remains central. “Her energy and versatility have been my north star since I started singing,” Tandan says. Her first-ever stage performance, she recalls, was Chauhan’s Maahi Ve, a song she still loves.

“Her ability to nail every genre, from high-octane pop to soulful ballads, pushes me to expand my range daily,” she says. “She’s been the best for years and continues to inspire so many of us.”

Stepping into theatre: Say Cheese Grandpa

In recent years, Tandan has expanded her creative footprint beyond playback and independent music. She is the Production Head of Say Cheese Grandpa (SGP), a Broadway-style children’s musical produced by Saregama.

“Say Cheese Grandpa is a spectacular musical for children aged three to twelve,” she explains. “It focuses on bringing social-emotional learning to life. It’s not just entertainment. It’s about igniting imagination and giving children their first world-class theatre experience, full of joy and wonder.”

Her role in the production is both creative and logistical. She says she has sung all the recorded songs in the play, from Lakdi Ki Kaathi to Nani Teri Morni, with a Say Cheese Grandpa twist. Alongside that, she manages everything from ensuring the set reaches on time and is installed properly, to coordinating with the cast and overseeing the creative and technical flow of each show.

Working alongside directors Shiv Tandan and Mohit Agarwal, she is helping build the production from the ground up. “Right now, we’re starting with the Delhi and Chandigarh belt,” she says. “But the larger dream is to grow this into a nationwide children’s theatre experience and take it across India.”

Discipline behind the scenes

Behind the performances and releases lies a demanding routine. “Late-night recordings and endless travel test every artist’s limits,” Tandan admits. “It does get difficult, but discipline keeps my voice and energy sharp.”

Her routine includes regular workouts, riyaaz and allowing herself short breaks to recharge. “That balance really works wonders,” she says.

Winning over Delhi audiences

Performing in Delhi continues to shape her confidence as an artist. “Delhi crowds are truly unbeatable,” she says. “They ignite every performance with unmatched fire and passion.”

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Having sung at venues across the city, she credits Delhi audiences for transforming her stage presence. “They demand energy and give it right back,” she says. “Those gigs turned me from a shy college singer into a full-on crowd-commander.”

Looking ahead

As she steps into the next phase of her career, Tandan is focused on growth and experimentation. “I have a lot of music planned for 2026,” she says. “It’s bolder, more experimental and deeply personal.”

She is also working towards an India tour for Chasing Light, her first album, released in August this year. “It feels like the natural next step,” she says.

For Tandan, the goal remains simple and constant. “I want to touch hearts,” she says. “Music, for me, has always been about emotion, and that’s what I want to keep giving people.”