Heartbreak inspired singer-songwriter Huyana's (Varshita Ramesh) latest single "Can't Fall/Won't Fall". The song speaks to those who have known the pain of unrequited love and unreciprocated longing. The song has soulful lyrics set to a lilting tune; the kind of song you would listen to when you want to be alone with your thoughts.

"Between the ages of 19 and 22, I had absolutely no control over my emotions. I knew the relationships I was in were not good for me. I wrote about my first relationship after it had ended," says Bengaluru-based Varshita about the idea for the song.

Anxious Attachment

"Can't Fall/Won't Fall" is one of the songs in Varshita's soon to be released EP, Anxious Attachment. All the songs are about relationships. "Anxious attachment is a psychological term about people who are unable to draw boundaries for themselves and who fall in love quickly. They are needy in relationships while also believing they don't deserve love. And are constantly worried that their partners will leave them."

Lyrical expression

Varshita speaks with refreshing honesty about her vulnerability and emotions. But when it comes to her music, it is art that takes precedence.

Her relationship may not have worked out, but she reclaims her power by turning a difficult situation into a canvas of lyrical expression. "The song talks about this person, without talking about him; in that sense it is reclaiming some power. You make it about the art and not about the person. All the songs in the EP I wrote a while ago. I wanted to find closure through these songs."

Varshita adds that her best music was created at the peak of feeling something very strongly. "And the only way I deal with it is to write about it. For a while now, I haven't been able to do that because I have been relatively happy (laughs)."

"A lot of my music is not random. It is exactly who I am and I what I think and feel. My previous single 'Nothing Wrong In Not Being Okay' was also written when I was really down in the dumps. I thought it's okay to feel that way and to talk about it."

Creative process and collaboration

"My talent is in coming up with melodies and song writing," says Varshita about her musical style. "But all the songs in Anxious Attachment I wrote with my limited knowledge of the guitar and the ukulele." She adds that she is influenced by Jazz, R&B, Pop, and that each song in the EP is a different genre. "The musical arrangement of the track is reminiscent of R&B/Soul influences, infused with delicate vocal harmonies and layered with saxophone and guitar."

Varshita says she chose her artist name as Huyana. a Cherokee word, which means raindrops, the same meaning as her name in Sanskrit

The EP also emerged out of a process of collaboration. "Almost everyone who has worked on this EP is below the age of 25. It is really lovely to know that I have worked with the next generation of musicians in Bangalore. The whole process of working with them has been healing in so many ways."

Musical journey

Music was always a part of Varshita's life, so becoming a musician was a natural decision. "I got to learn very early on that music can be a career," says Varshita, who grew up in Thailand and moved to India when she was 13.

"My parents have always been very supportive. I attended KM Music Conservatory, in Chennai, founded by AR Rahman when I was 13. I was the youngest student! I studied a little bit of music in high school as well. I then moved to Bangalore for college. I wanted to chase my love for writing, so I had a plan B, and I went onto do my BA in Communications in Mount Carmel." But everything Varshita pursued, thereafter, revolved around music.

First single: Is It You?

"I released my first single, Is It You? in 2020. After the second lockdown was eased, I went to Goa for a week to chill with a friend." This would prove to be a turning point in her life. "I got a message on Whatsapp about a scholarship available for one vocalist for this Jazz ensemble at the Goa Jazz Academy. I immediately applied, and was selected. I lived there from November till about May," says Varshita.

Challenges of independent musicians

Varshita says as a professional musician (she has performed 800+ shows so far) she is able to manage comfortably. "Creating my own music is hectic, though. It's hard enough for me to make the music, but I also need to have merchandise, I need music videos, I need to talk to journalists. Getting funding is the tough part. I completely crowdfunded for this EP."

"I want my songs to help people being open to expressing and talking about their emotions. I want my songs to help them find closure," Varshita signs off.

"Can't Fall/Won't Fall" was released on all platforms on June 9th. Anxious Attachment is set to be released in July, 2023. For more details visit: https://linktr.ee/huyana