From India to Sweden: Jazz singer Vidya’s moving tale of love, loss, and resilience

Vidya was born on November 30, 1977, to a single mother in Pune. She was adopted through Mahila Seva Gram and raised in Sweden. Even as a child, Vidya was determined to reconnect with her roots, and by age 10, she began her quest to find her birth mother. Despite multiple visits to India, her search remained fruitless until 2017 when she sought the help of Advocate Anjali Pawar and Arun Dohle from the Adoptee Rights Council. Their efforts culminated in an emotional reunion between Vidya and her mother.

Though she cherished two years with her mother, their time was cut short when her mother passed away in 2018. Soon after, Vidya’s adoptive mother also succumbed to cancer. These losses profoundly shaped her creative journey. She found solace in music, channeling her grief into her debut album.

“Life has been a rollercoaster, but music has been my constant companion and strength,” Vidya told the audience. She performed songs from her album, moving attendees with her soulful renditions that narrated her life’s highs and lows.

Vidya shared heartfelt anecdotes, and her belief that grief is simply the other side of love. “We all have stories to tell. My music is my way of expressing and sharing these stories,” she said. Her creativity allowed her to navigate her pain and transform it into melodies that comfort others.

Her latest album, released in May 2024, celebrates the spectrum of human emotions—joy and sorrow, love and loss. “My aim is to inspire and give comfort to everyone who needs it through my music,” Vidya shared with the audience.

The press conference highlighted Vidya’s connection to both her Indian and Swedish roots, her passion for blending cultures, and her unyielding dedication to her art. As she performed songs from her latest album, she reminded everyone that every story, including theirs, is valuable and deserves to be told.

Vidya will be performing at another concert in the city on Sunday where she will combine her life story with her music.