Katseye's Lara Raj wears grandmother's sari for Deepavali: 'She is with me in spirit'
Synopsis
Grammy-nominated Katseye singer Lara Raj marked Deepavali by wearing her grandmother's sari, calling it a way to feel her presence 'in spirit.' For the first Indian artist signed under Hybe, the gesture is a rare, candid glimpse into the cultural roots behind one of global pop's most-watched new acts.
Key Takeaways
Lara Raj of Katseye celebrated Deepavali 2026 wearing her grandmother's sari, sharing the moment on social media.
She captioned the post: 'Wearing my grandma's sari so she is with me in spirit!' Lara is an American singer of Indian heritage; her mother is a Bharatnatyam dance teacher.
Katseye earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best New Artist at the 68th Grammy Awards .
The group is the first to include Indian , Filipina , Latina , and Black artists under Hybe .
Lara Raj, the Indian-American singer and member of global girl group Katseye, marked Deepavali 2026 by honouring a deeply personal family tradition — wearing her late grandmother's sari to keep her memory alive on the festive occasion.
The Deepavali Post
Lara shared a picture of herself dressed in her grandmother's sari on social media, accompanying it with a heartfelt message. 'Happy Deepavali! Wearing my grandma's sari so she is with me in spirit! Love and light to all,' she wrote in the caption. The post drew warm responses from fans and followers who resonated with the sentiment of carrying family traditions across generations and continents.
Who Is Lara Raj
Lara Raj is an American singer of Indian heritage. Her mother is a Bharatnatyam dance teacher and chef, grounding Lara in Indian cultural traditions from an early age. Her father is a businessman, and her older sister Rhea is a singer-songwriter who introduced Lara to music production. Lara made her professional debut in June 2024 as a founding member of Katseye, a six-member girl group formed through the 2023 reality competition Dream Academy, a joint venture between Hybe and Geffen Records.
Katseye's Rise to Global Prominence
Katseye debuted with the single 'Debut' in June 2024, followed by the breakout track 'Touch'. Their first extended play (EP), SIS (Soft Is Strong), arrived later that year. In April 2025, the group released 'Gnarly' as the lead single for their second EP, Beautiful Chaos. The EP's second single 'Gabriela' peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The group was also nominated for Best New Artist at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Their formation journey was documented in the Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: Katseye.
A Historic Lineup
The six members of Katseye are Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung. Notably, the group includes the first Indian, Filipina, Latina, and Black artists to be signed under Hybe — Lara, Sophia, Daniela, and Manon respectively. Musically, the group cites the Pussycat Dolls, Spice Girls, and Le Sserafim as influences, and is recognised for a fashion identity rooted in Y2K aesthetics.
Cultural Resonance
Lara's Deepavali gesture — dressing in a family heirloom sari — underscores the cultural duality many diaspora artists navigate: global pop stardom on one stage, ancestral traditions on the other. This is not the first time Katseye members have drawn attention for celebrating their individual cultural identities publicly, a quality that has deepened their connection with diverse fan communities worldwide. As Katseye continues to grow, Lara's visibility as the group's Indian representation carries significance beyond music.
Point of View
Not just pop aesthetics. That tension, between being a Hybe-engineered product and a genuine cultural emissary, is what makes her the most watched member for Indian audiences. As Katseye's Grammy profile rises, how Lara navigates that duality will matter beyond fan communities.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Lara Raj wear her grandmother's sari on Deepavali?
Lara Raj wore her grandmother's sari on Deepavali to feel her grandmother's presence 'in spirit,' as she explained in her social media caption. The gesture reflects the Indian cultural traditions she was raised with — her mother is a Bharatnatyam dance teacher and chef.
Who is Lara Raj and which group is she part of?
Lara Raj is an American singer of Indian heritage and a founding member of Katseye, a six-member global girl group formed through the 2023 reality show Dream Academy, a joint venture between Hybe and Geffen Records. She debuted with the group in June 2024.
What Grammy nominations has Katseye received?
Katseye received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their single 'Gabriela,' and were also nominated for Best New Artist at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. 'Gabriela' additionally peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
What is historic about Katseye's lineup?
Katseye includes the first Indian, Filipina, Latina, and Black artists to be signed under Hybe — Lara Raj, Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, and Manon Bannerman respectively. The group's diversity has been a defining part of their identity and global appeal.
What is the Netflix docuseries about Katseye?
Pop Star Academy: Katseye is a Netflix docuseries that chronicles the formation of the group, covering the Dream Academy audition process, intensive training, and the selection of the final six members. It offers an inside look at the Hybe-Geffen reality competition that launched the group.
