July 2025: When it comes to music, when it comes to fashion, I’ve always wanted to remain different, authentic: Raja Kumari

Raja Kumari, the Grammy-nominated Indian-American rapper, singer, and songwriter, is taking her artistry beyond music and into a new realm of cultural expression. Known for fusing Indian classical elements with global hip-hop, Kumari is now redefining what it means to be a “global desi” through a collaboration with KALKI Fashion. At the heart of this partnership is her powerful anthem “LA India”, a sonic and visual celebration of identity, heritage, and individuality. This collaboration isn’t just about couture; it’s a cultural statement, a reclamation of body inclusivity, and an ode to every woman who dares to take center stage. Check out what she has to share with us;

What inspired the powerful line, “No matter where I’m from, they’ll always know I’m Made in India”, and what does it personally mean to you?

Made in India was almost like an evolution of my interpretation of the duality of my cultural identity. In the beginning, I would do East meets West, and I would talk about, sorry that my sorry ain’t Indian enough. I feel like Made in India has been a progression. If the world sees me and all they see is India, then how in India do they not see me as Indian? So, no matter where I’m from, they know I’m Made in India. So, this was me graduating from the angst of my identity, the struggles with my identity and really just claiming my dual identity and being myself.

Tell us the story behind the song itself, ‘LA India’?

If I die before I wake up, I pray this melody carries my soul away to ‘La India’. Growing up in Los Angeles, we have this like love for Spanish music, it’s something that really expresses. India being one of the most beautiful places to me, not only when I see it, but spiritually, mentally, it’s like magic to me. It’s this beautiful place where I can really come alive as an artist and everything that I want to be inspired by is right in front of my eyes. In many ways, this song my ode to India and just kind of accepting, where I’ve come from in my life and who I’ve become. I think I’ve expressed my love for the motherland quite seriously in my music.

Stream the song here:

This project boldly merges music and fashion into a cultural movement. What were some non-negotiables for you when shaping this collaboration with KALKI?

When I first got approached, I was excited about creating a collection that took inspiration from the things that I’ve learned about my body, about having a curvy body and being in front of the world. Confidence or not, I learned to dress for myself — snatched waists, a single thigh slit, fabric draped over shoulders when I felt conscious. Instead of shying away from couture, we leaned into it: capes, crowns, and adornment as empowerment. When I was making this Kalki collaboration, I wanted women of all sizes to feel comfortable in the silhouettes. I just wanted this collection to be easier to wear, for people to try it on and just have it fit the first time because nothing feels as good as the dress fitting and not feeling like you need to make so many changes to it.

Mira Godbole, who’s the creative director, my best friend, my stylist, has been instrumental in creating this couture Kumari space and helping me feel really strong and confident in my own skin and really celebrating my culture. This collection is also an ode to our friendship and you know, what we’ve created together and hopefully there’ll be many, many more to come.

You’re not just the face of the collection; you co-created it. How did your musical sensibilities influence the design, fabrics, or storytelling behind each piece?

My music has always been about taking the things that I find most beautiful about my culture and sharing it with the world. At this moment there is an increased emergence and interest in Indian karigars and embroidery and textures, which we’re also seeing on the runways of many famous couture houses of the world.

Apart from this, when it came to doing the storytelling of this, it’s about reclaiming being sexy and fun, being like the modern bride or, the modern person with that modern silhouette! I really believe that this collection can show the new India, the modern India and where we’re going. Some of the pieces are also reminiscent of things that I’ve worn on stage in very important moments. I look forward to seeing other people, make it part of their story.

Your artistry often fuses classical Indian roots with global hip-hop. How does this collection reflect your signature “global desi” aesthetic beyond sound?

The global Desi aesthetic is definitely something that I feel I have been leaning into, whether it’s wearing my mother’s heirloom jewellery mixed with a designer European piece or just to borrow the silhouette of a dhoti for a skirt. I think this collection is a big blend of that. I feel it looks like my music, it’s really fun, it has beautiful embroidery and carefully chosen details. So, it definitely reflects my sound because it’s a mixture of all the elements that are very bougie on both East and West.

Your fashion line champions body inclusivity and bold expression. How important was it for you to redefine what Indian luxury looks and feels like on global runways?

Body inclusivity has always been a hot topic. Lately in Indian fashion, we’ve discussed things like the fat tax and we’ve discussed, inclusivity, etc. Something that we spoke about a lot at KALKI and they really heard, was about how I felt and how other people feel. And they really wanted to make sure that that emotion was taken out when it comes to shopping for your amazing day.

Whether it’s your wedding or it’s your festival headlining tour, you don’t want to hear that things are not going to fit your body. You want to feel beautiful as you are. And I feel that it was important in making sure we chose the right fabrics that fell properly, the colourways, how it draped around your body, and make you look best in what you wear.

From rebellious lehengas to corseted gowns, how do you see these pieces empowering women emotionally and culturally across borders?

When I’m around the world, I always have to carry my Indian clothes with me, whether it’s from my Indian designers, or otherwise. I carry these pieces because it’s hard for me to find clothes that express who I am. So, I hope this collection it empowers people to wear their culture wherever they are.

And, this doesn’t just have to be for a wedding, it could be for prom, it can be for a graduation day, and more. I think that these dresses really accentuate a bold Indian woman that wants to be sexy in her own curves and own it, but also have those touches of modesty and make it fit culturally at the same time.

In a world saturated with fleeting trends, how do you ensure your work, whether music or fashion, remains rooted in authenticity while still pushing boundaries?

When it comes to creating art, it’s very easy to go with the trends and follow what other people are doing and try to just be another option. But, Intuition, instinct, being emotionally aligned, knowing who you are and not being influenced by others are some of the most important things that we have to develop to stay authentic.

When it comes to music, when it comes to fashion, I’ve always wanted to remain different, authentic. And I wanted to find ways to bring in my deep respect for our Indian culture, whether it’s South Indian temple jewellery or different types of embroidery work, Zari work, it has always been about wearing our culture as a story and weaving it into the fabric.

You mentioned creating “for the main characters, the rule-breakers, the glam goddesses.” Who or what inspires these personas in your creative universe?

I’m the Goddess, Rajakumari is based off of Devi, Mahishasura Mardini, the demon slayer. I always love to be inspired by temple sculptures. And a lot of times people will ask me; how do you have the confidence to wear what you wear? And I say, when I look at a temple and I see someone with a body just like mine, how could I hate myself or doubt that I’m a Goddess? So, I hope that other women see themselves in the beauty that has been told for centuries through our art and don’t be misled by modern ideas that are there to make you hate yourself. Look at the Goddesses in the temple and know the Goddesses within.

What is the rest of 2025 looking like for you?

Rest of 2025 is looking like a celebration of just living my best life, loving wherever I am, going on a journey for health and making sure that I am at the best place in my life so that I can perform the best, write the best music and travel the world and meet people. I’m working on a new album, working on a lot of new stuff. I’m going to be in the US as well as India. And I’m working on building the bridge between West back to East, ancient to future. Music is the bridge between us and God.

With this groundbreaking collaboration, Raja Kumari is building a bridge between East and West, tradition and modernity, music and fashion. Through “LA India” and her KALKI collection, she reaffirms that Indian culture is not only timeless but also ever-evolving, ready to take its rightful place on global runways. Her designs, like her music, are fearless, celebrating individuality, embracing cultural roots, and redefining beauty beyond conventional boundaries. As she continues working on new music and a highly anticipated album, Raja Kumari’s journey in 2025 stands as a testament to her mission: empowering others to honour their identity and embrace their inner goddess.

Article by Vishwa Deepak Dikshit

Creative Direction & Styling: Meera Godbole

Hair and Make-Up: Riya Sheth

Director Abhishek Golecha

Shot/editing: Tanmay Kaurav

Vfx: Rohit Pisharody