Apoorva Krishna’s new album brings the soul of Carnatic music to the global stage

Blending the depth of Carnatic music with a contemporary global sound, violinist and composer Apoorva Krishna’s new album Only Love Is Real is a moving exploration of love, spirituality and healing through music. The project, created with acclaimed vocalist Vijay Prakash and a team of Oscar and Grammy-winning musicians, has been pitched for Grammy consideration, marking another milestone for Indian classical artistry on the world stage.For Apoorva, Only Love Is Real is not just an album but a deeply personal reflection of her inner world. “The philosophy that shaped the album was when I realised that in every high and low, in all moments of uncertainty, loss, growth and joy, one thing remains constant: love,” she says, adding, “This includes divine, familial, community, romantic and self-love. That realisation became the seed from which the entire album was born.”The compositions unfold like intimate conversations, weaving Carnatic textures with immersive modern arrangements. “My creative process is inherently personal, as my music mirrors my journey and raw emotions,” Apoorva explains. “Each piece reflects the love that surrounds me, a universal truth expressed through sound. For instance, Surrender is my humble attempt at letting go and trusting the universe.”Tracks such as Surrender and Song of the Heart capture what Apoorva calls “a dance of trust and acceptance.”

“This album taught me to let go,” she reflects. “It has been a journey of learning to trust the moment and simply be. The entire project is an act of surrender and a reminder that music and love hold immense healing power.”With Only Love Is Real, Apoorva Krishna invites listeners into a sonic meditation that redefines the language of Indian classical music for a global audience and reminds us, in her words, that “creativity flows from the experiences we encounter, each piece a mirror to the love that surrounds us.”