Urdu is the Soul of Indian Music: Swanand Kirkire and Varun Grover Discuss

Why does so much Indian music feel incomplete without Urdu? In this conversation, Swanand Kirkire and Varun Grover join Naghma Sahar to explore how Urdu shapes the emotional language of Indian songs, poetry, and film music. From love and longing to grief and memory, they unpack why certain words land deeper, sound richer, and stay with us longer.This is a thoughtful discussion on songwriting, lyrics, rhythm, meaning, and the cultural power of language in Bollywood and beyond. The session moves through craft, cinema, storytelling, and the lasting influence of the golden era of Hindi film music. .Watch the episode on YouTube.