Muskaan Arora on Finding Her Voice and Growing as an Independent Artist

Author: Sravya Bodapati

Published:

Muskaan Arora on Finding Her Voice and Growing as an Independent Artist

At Sanskar Savvy, we aim to Celebrate, Explore, Connect! by highlighting artists who are shaping their own paths with clarity and purpose. Muskaan represents a growing wave of independent artists who are building their careers with intention, grounded in both personal experience and creativity. Her journey reflects how early influences, consistent practice, and a clear sense of identity can come together to form something meaningful.

Sanskar Savvy sits down with Muskaan as she takes us through her earliest memories of music at home and developing her own voice as an artist. As she works toward her first large-scale project, she shares insights into the experiences, influences, and mindset that continue to shape her journey.

Sanskar Savvy: What first introduced you to music, and what made you feel like it was something you wanted to pursue more seriously?

Muskaan: I was first introduced to music by my mom. She has always been fond of music as well and would sing religious hymns, lullabies, and songs to me when I was a baby. As I started talking, I would sing these with her, and she noticed I picked things up quickly and sang in tune, so she encouraged me and casually introduced the idea of ‘being a singer’. I picked up on that term and loved the idea of singing forever. There isn’t a single point in time that I could pinpoint when I decided to pursue singing and music more seriously. I think the idea was seeded really young, and it just stuck with me.

Sanskar Savvy: Looking back, what has kept music a consistent part of your life through different phases and changes?

Muskaan: Listening to music and singing always gave me a lot of comfort. I consistently listen to a lot of music because I truly enjoy it, and also to learn and enhance my vocals. I also grew up in a family that likes to listen to music quite a bit, so it’s naturally been a part of conversations, events, and my life overall.

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A post shared by Muskaan Arora (@music.muskaan)

Sanskar Savvy: Was there a specific moment or decision that made you start sharing your music publicly for the first time?

Muskaan: Music became a passion for me, and I realized I had to do something about it to pursue it as a full-fledged career. I was already singing at events and social gatherings, but I also decided to post on social media to gain more exposure.

Sanskar Savvy: A lot of artists today have to think about visibility as much as they do about creativity. How do you personally approach sharing your work and building an audience online?

Muskaan: As an artist, I’d say I prioritize creativity and creating a genuine community of listeners and other artists online. While social media is a helpful tool for sharing your work and gaining visibility, the algorithm is highly unpredictable, which can be frustrating. But at the end of the day, I think that good music will always shine through and reach the right people, so I tend to focus on making music that people will truly enjoy, beyond virality and trends.

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A post shared by Muskaan Arora (@music.muskaan)

Sanskar Savvy: You’ve performed in both intimate community spaces and larger events. How have those experiences shaped the way you approach live performance?

Muskaan: Live performances are a great way to connect with listeners and the community. Depending on the event and space, I’ve seen elements that can make both types of performances memorable. I enjoy the intimate community music gatherings because they have a cozy environment, there’s conversation and engagement with the audience, and a chance to sing with other artists as well. These types of performances encourage and prepare me for larger events with high energy demand, longer runtimes, and opportunities to engage with larger audiences. These events really excite me and help gain exposure.

Sanskar Savvy: When you look back on your journey, what unexpected paths or influences have shaped your music?

Muskaan: In my journey so far, there’s been a lot of influential artists and moments. I’m not sure about anything unexpected, but in terms of my music and singing style, I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from my favourite artists, like Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Ariana Grande.

Sanskar Savvy: As you think about what comes next, what does success look like for you at this stage of your journey?

Muskaan: Success is ever-changing and has layers. It’s difficult to define or confine it via a specific milestone. Today, I can say that as I work on my first large-scale project and see my ideas come to life, it feels like success to me, and I hope that through this project, I can connect with more and more people and advance in my career. As an artist, I also think the most important reward of my work is the love, acceptance, and support of the audience; if they can see my vision and feel the emotions behind it, it’s beyond validating and something I’d be really grateful for.

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A post shared by Saumya Sharma (@saumyamusic.official)

Sanskar Savvy: You’re currently building toward a larger project. What can you tell us about your upcoming releases?

Muskaan: This is a dream that’s been a long time coming, and also my most intentional project so far. Much of it lives in a softer, more emotional space as it explores more layered, nuanced feelings. I’ve always been inspired by the feeling of classic love songs, and I wanted to re-interpret that through a more modern, honest, and feminine perspective. There’s a lot that’s going into it behind the scenes, and I don’t want to give too much away yet, but I think it’s going to show a different side of me. I’m really excited for people to experience and connect with it.

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A post shared by Muskaan Arora (@music.muskaan)

Sanskar Savvy: For other emerging artists who may feel shy or unsure about putting themselves out there, what advice would you give them?

Muskaan: Honestly, I understand. I’ve always been (and still am) very shy, but I don’t think that takes anything away from you as an artist. Keep creating, let your music speak, and let it be your strength. You’ll find what works for you, and the right audiences will feel and value the sincerity you put into your art.

Sanskar Savvy: You’ve been managing your career independently, from creating music to building your presence. What are some lessons you’ve learned about doing it all on your own?

Muskaan: It’s definitely not easy, and it’s a long journey in which I’m also learning and growing. I think it’s just important to have a clear vision for yourself as an artist and make decisions that align with your core identity. Spend time learning, researching, and using all your resources. Doing everything independently can be overwhelming and requires a lot of consistency and discipline, but I’m also truly enjoying the process!

Muskaan’s journey reflects a steady and intentional approach to building a career in music. It is shaped by early influences, strengthened by consistency, and guided by a clear sense of identity. As she continues working on her upcoming project, she brings with her a strong foundation in talent, connections, and a love of music. Keep up with her latest updates on social media!

At Sanskar Savvy, we continue to Celebrate, Explore, Connect! by sharing stories like Muskaan’s that highlight the process behind the music, the mindset behind the artist, and the journeys that are still unfolding.

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Sravya Bodapati

Sravya Bodapati

Sravya Bodapati, a Contributing Writer at Sanskar Savvy, comes from a background steeped in the rich traditions of Indian cinema and grew up with a deep appreciation for films across all Indian languages, particularly Telugu and Tamil movies. This lifelong passion for cinema has shaped her path into the world of film. A recent graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Sravya lives in Northern California and is fluent in Telugu and English. She dedicates herself to understanding and amplifying unique cinematic stories, showcasing the creativity and diversity of film through her work at Sanskar Savvy.