Sid Sriram wows Coachella 2024 crowd with soulful rendition of Tamil religious song ‘Thiruppugazh’. Watch

“Yesterday was one of those days where the stage felt like home. Growing up in the suburbs in Fremont was mundane on most days. Having magical, grandiose dreams wasn’t really a thing, like the kind of dreams that change cultural currents. But I’ve been blessed to have a strong unit of divergent thinkers around me my whole life,” he noted, along with a video of his performance.

“If you had told 9-year-old me that I’d close my Coachella set with the “Thiruppugazh” my mother had just taught me, I probably would’ve chuckled and went back to daydreaming. Fast forward to 2024, first-ever South Indian artist to play the festival,” Sid mentioned, adding “On the days where the stage truly feels like home, and you’re with your brothers, you get the absolute privilege of tapping into what feels like the infinite. Yesterday felt boundless and free, I am grateful beyond belief.”

Watch Sid Sriram’s performance here:

 

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A post shared by Sid Sriram (@sidsriram)

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A post shared by Sid Sriram (@sidsriram)

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A post shared by Sid Sriram (@sidsriram)

“My name is Sid Sriram, I was born in Chennai, India and I grew up in the Bay Area, California. I come from a discipline called Carnatic music, I’m proud of every damn part of who I am, and I promise you we are on our way to changing the tides of music/love/healing around the whole world.” He ended the note with the words, “All love, no hate”.

Sid is the first South Indian artiste to perform at Coachella. Last year, singer-songwriter Diljit Dosanjh had performed at the annual music and arts festival, becoming the first Indian to achieve the feat.

According to Deadline, Sid brought Carnatic-inspired music to the festival, tunes that emerged from the classical music tradition of South India but blend modern influences like R&B, jazz and indie rock. “Carnatic music is very deep in the roots of being South Indian, and I am honored to be able to showcase my perspective and version of what being South Indian means,” he told the publication.

The 23rd edition of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival took place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, over two weekends: April 12–14 and 19–21, 2024.