Shreya Ghoshal on music's soul amid streaming noise: 'Numbers distract from craft'
Synopsis
Shreya Ghoshal's warning cuts deeper than nostalgia. She is not romanticising the pre-digital era but flagging a real structural shift: the younger generation must now juggle algorithmic visibility, metrics, and emotional authenticity simultaneously. That is not just harder—it is a fundamentally different game. The question is whether soul survives the distraction.
Key Takeaways
Shreya Ghoshal , five-time National Award winner, says streaming metrics and social media followers distract musicians from their core craft.
She credited her own early career to pure love of music, before the era of algorithms and digital impressions.
Digital platforms offer reach but demand constant innovation, making it harder for younger musicians to balance visibility with artistry. "There has to be a soul," Ghoshal stressed. "Any art, until there are no emotions, it has no value." She observed that passion for music-making remains strong among younger creators, but structural noise around the creative process poses the real challenge.
Shreya Ghoshal, the five-time National Award-winning playback singer, has flagged the growing challenge of creating meaningful music in an age dominated by streaming metrics, social media followers, and algorithmic reach. Speaking during her trans-continental concert tour, Ghoshal argued that the relentless focus on digital data obscures what drew her to music in the first place: pure artistic passion.
"I feel that where there is just so much distraction of numbers, followers, algorithms and streams, it becomes a little difficult for you to stay very focused, and closer to what you are trying to do," Ghoshal said. "I feel very lucky in that way that when I came, all these things were not there. Purely, the love of music was with people."
The double bind for today's musicians
The veteran singer acknowledged that while digital platforms have democratised audience access, they have simultaneously raised the bar for artistic sustainability. "Although the platforms, which are available to you right now, give you the medium to reach the audience, you have to constantly innovate," she noted. "So, I salute the younger generation, who are making it today because to do good music, and at the same time, connect with the audiences, and to keep working on their craft is very difficult in today's world."
Learning as a lifelong process
Ghoshal emphasised that the younger generation of musicians carries an inherent advantage: an ingrained appetite for continuous learning. She drew parallels between her own journey and that of emerging artists, noting that inspiration flows from mentors, peers, and the cultural landscape around them. "I have taken that inspiration from so many people whom I have met and followed," she explained. "Even today when I meet people who are my contemporaries, my seniors or even younger ones, I learn something from them at all times. The learning never stops."
Soul over metrics
Ghoshal stressed that technical skill and hard work alone cannot sustain a musical career. What separates enduring artistry from fleeting viral moments is an intangible quality—emotional authenticity. "There has to be that X factor in the way you are creating. There has to be a soul," she said. "Any art whether it's painting or music or dance, until there are no emotions, it has no value."
The passion paradox
Despite the structural headwinds, Ghoshal observed that passion for music-making remains widespread among younger creators. "I see a lot of young singers and composers, people who are creating music, they are very passionate about what they are doing. I must say that they are very creative. And they are not trying to follow someone blindly." The challenge, she suggested, is not a lack of talent or drive, but rather the noise that surrounds the creative process itself.
Point of View
But when they become the primary feedback loop, they crowd out the messier, slower work of building a distinct voice. The irony: platforms that promised to democratise music have instead democratised distraction. Whether younger artists can carve out space for soul-making amid the noise will define the next decade of Indian music.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shreya Ghoshal's main concern about streaming and social media?
Ghoshal argues that streaming metrics, follower counts, and algorithmic reach create constant distraction that makes it harder for musicians to focus on their craft and artistic authenticity. She credits her own early career to an era when music was driven purely by passion, not numbers.
Does Ghoshal think younger musicians lack talent or passion?
No. She explicitly praised the younger generation, saying she sees many young singers and composers who are very passionate and creative. Her concern is not about their ability or drive, but about the structural noise and metrics that surround the creative process today.
What does Ghoshal mean by 'soul' in music?
By soul, Ghoshal refers to emotional authenticity and genuine expression. She argues that any art form—whether music, painting, or dance—has no value without emotion. Technical skill and hard work alone are insufficient; there must be an 'X factor' that connects the artist's inner world to the listener.
How do digital platforms help and hurt musicians, according to Ghoshal?
Platforms provide unprecedented reach and a medium to connect with audiences. However, they also demand constant innovation and expose musicians to relentless metrics and algorithms, which can distract from the deeper work of building a distinct, soulful artistic voice.
What role does learning play in an artist's journey, according to Ghoshal?
Ghoshal emphasises that learning never stops. Artists draw inspiration from mentors, peers, cultural surroundings, and even other artists they admire. She continues to learn from contemporaries, seniors, and younger musicians, and believes this lifelong learning is essential to sustained artistry.
