Over five years later, Prateek Kuhad remains the defining voice of India's indie music renaissance, influencing a new generation of artists.

Why This Indie Musician Is The New Heartthrob Of India

If you are a music junkie and have not heard or come across Cold/Mess or Tum Jab Paas or at least Dil Beparwah, you, my friend, are living under a rock! Prateek Kuhad with his addictive singles is taking the internet by storm.

Hailing from Jaipur, Prateek moved to New York for his graduation and eventually moved back to India to pursue a career in music. He released his first album in 2013 and since then, there has been no stopping him. He’s been consistently putting out music and performing in shows since 2015.

Prateek started his Bollywood journey in 2016. He wrote and sang a song, Kho Gaye Hum Kaha in Baar Baar Dekho. His latest work was for Karwaan where he wrote, composed and sang two songs; Saasein, Kadam.

Slow And Subtle

The kind of subtlety his videos possess is so pleasing that it gets you addicted. His guitar skills are the most underrated and the music is so subtle and soulful. Thankfully it’s such a relief from all the “heart thumping” and not so soothing sounds of the current Bollywood music.

There’s a touch of folk music in a few of his songs. Though he produced songs with electronic music here and there, his use of piano and guitar is what makes a mark. His work in Dil Beparwah and his first single Raat Raazi is impeccable. We don’t need to mention what a hit his last album Cold/Mess was.

Lyrics That Make You Fall In Love With Love

The lyrics need a special mention. They are so relatable, particularly to the millennials and Gen Z. They have a poetic touch. It feels like all that you want to express to your loved ones is being expressed through his music.

His albums don’t have a weird mix of English words in them. Few are purely in Hindi, maintaining authenticity. Although a lot of lyricists try and include more than one language to sound more colloquial and relatable, there’s something that seems amiss. Prateek Kuhad sticks to the language in which he is writing, throughout the song.

That’s somehow comforting and it’s like he is slowly taking you into his head and showing you what’s happening. How he’s feeling without any intervention.

Who doesn’t want to know how one feels? Particularly about love, pain, conflict and life as a whole. Prateek does a splendid job in portraying a beautiful world with his lyrics, which not many lyricists can do in this day and age.

Stories By Colors And Objects

Another incredible thing about his work – The video production. Again, everything is so subtle and soulful. There’s a different kind of palette for each of his songs. The colours, shots, even the costumes worn by the performers tell a story. For example, His Cold/Mess has a very distinct colour palette that kind of makes you feel what they are going through, literally. Tum Jab Paas takes you to back your classroom in the school and actually puts your crush in front of your eyes. What’s better than relating to a song and being reminded of your own story? There’s a very distinct vibe to his appearances and stage presence. Calm and conscious. That’s what you feel.

Now, let’s just take a moment to appreciate and feel how impeccable he sounds. Take a pause for two seconds, go find your phone, play one of his songs (preferably Kho Gaye Hum Kaha for I think he sounds best in that song) and just close your eyes and listen to him.

Amazing, isn’t it?

In conclusion, Prateek Kuhad is the flagbearer of Indie music for Gen Z. He is bringing out some amazing music which I think music lovers or not, basically everyone should check out at least once.

His last album was cold/mess and we can’t wait to hear him more! Here are a few of our favourites that you should totally check out!

Dil Beparwah, Cold/Mess, Tum Jab Paas, Kadam, Tune Kaha…

Actually, just listen to all of his songs, they are dope!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Prateek Kuhad and what makes him famous?

Prateek Kuhad is an acclaimed Indian indie musician from Jaipur known for emotionally nuanced songs like ‘Cold/Mess’ and ‘Tum Jab Paas’. He gained prominence through his soulful guitar-driven compositions and later expanded into Bollywood with tracks for films like Baar Baar Dekho and Karwaan, establishing himself as India’s indie music icon.

What are Prateek Kuhad’s biggest hits and popular songs?

His most recognizable tracks include ‘Cold/Mess’, ‘Tum Jab Paas’, ‘Dil Beparwah’, ‘Raat Raazi’, and ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kaha’ from Baar Baar Dekho. More recently, ‘Saasein’ and ‘Kadam’ from Karwaan showcased his ability to craft introspective Bollywood music that resonates with listeners seeking emotional depth.

Where did Prateek Kuhad study music and start his career?

Prateek Kuhad hails from Jaipur and pursued his graduation in New York before returning to India to focus on music full-time. He released his first album in 2013 and has been consistently performing and releasing music since 2015, building a devoted fanbase across independent and mainstream platforms.

What instruments does Prateek Kuhad play in his music?

Prateek is primarily known for his exceptional guitar skills, which form the backbone of his indie sound. He also incorporates piano and subtle electronic elements into his compositions, creating a signature style that blends folk influences with contemporary indie sensibilities while maintaining soulful authenticity.

How has Prateek Kuhad influenced Indian indie music?

Prateek Kuhad has become a benchmark for introspective, guitar-driven indie music in India, offering listeners a refreshing alternative to mainstream Bollywood productions. His success in both independent and film music demonstrates that soulful, subtly crafted compositions can achieve commercial success while maintaining artistic integrity.