Anushka Jag on ‘Give It to Ganga’
Blending contemporary pop with the timeless wisdom of Indian spirituality, singer-songwriter Anushka Jag is exploring a distinctive musical language of her own.
Anushka Jag’s musical journey is shaped by an enduring curiosity about the inner world and the many ways it finds expression through art. Drawing on pop, rock, electronica and Indian classical influences, she creates music that brings together contemporary sounds and deeper reflections on life, self-discovery and emotional freedom.With releases such as ‘Rebirth’, ‘Taboo’, ‘Dirty Work’ and ‘Khushi Khushi’, Jag has been developing a sound that reflects her interest in spirituality without being confined to traditional devotional forms. Her latest single, ‘Give It to Ganga’, takes this exploration further, weaving English-language lyrics with Sanskrit mantras to reflect on surrender, healing and the freedom that comes with letting go.Inspired by a spiritual gathering in Rishikesh, the song emerged from a deeply personal understanding of how we carry the past—and how we might begin to release it. Here, Jag discusses the inspiration behind the track, her interpretation of spiritual pop, the enduring influence of George Harrison and the musical possibilities she hopes to explore next.
- Was there a specific experience in Rishikesh that inspired ‘Give It to Ganga’?
I would visit Rishikesh for yoga retreats and stay at ashrams. On one occasion, I attended a satsang where the spiritual leader spoke about giving all your worries and past pain to Ganga Ma. The idea really resonated with me.
- The song explores surrender—letting go of fear, self-doubt and ego. What were you personally working through when you wrote it?
I often felt trapped in the past. I found it difficult to let go of unkind words that had left deep mental scars. While writing the song, I was trying to release the feeling that I wasn’t good enough.
I think many people experience this. I was letting go of unhealthy comparisons and embracing the idea that everyone has their own journey.
- You incorporate chants such as ‘Om Shri Gange Namaha’ and the Ganga Gayatri Mantra. What drew you to Sanskrit within an English-language pop song?
I often weave Sanskrit mantras into my original lyrics. Since this song is about Ma Ganga, I felt ‘Om Shri Gange Namaha’ belonged naturally within the verses. It sits more in the background than at the forefront, adding a devotional dimension to the track.
The Ganga Gayatri Mantra sounds beautiful, and I composed my own melody for it. It felt like the right way to bring the song to a close.
- You describe your sound as spiritual pop rather than traditional bhajan, kirtan or gospel. How do you define the genre?
Spiritual pop combines timeless spiritual wisdom with contemporary pop production. Bhajans are devotional songs passed down through generations. These are not traditional songs that have been remixed; they are new compositions with meaningful lyrics written by me and my co-writers.
- George Harrison famously brought Indian philosophy into popular music. How has his work influenced your own musical direction?
George Harrison was a genius. As a member of The Beatles, he was part of one of the most legendary bands in the world, but he was also strongly influenced by Hindu spirituality.
‘My Sweet Lord’ is a huge inspiration for me. He brings together the Guru Mantra, ‘Hallelujah’ and English lyrics in a way that feels natural and compelling. Songs such as ‘Living in the Material World’ and ‘Give Me Love’ also explore Vedantic themes through English-language songwriting.
His music showed me that spiritual songs can be catchy and upbeat. They do not always have to be slow or mellow.
- How did your collaborations with Matt Wong in Los Angeles and Agni Ruhela in Mumbai shape the sound of ‘Give It to Ganga’?
I used to work with Matt when I spent time in Los Angeles. After returning to Mumbai, we continued collaborating virtually. He is a great producer and songwriter who has written music for television and film in America. When I began developing the idea of spiritual pop, I felt he was the right person to collaborate with.
I had the lyrics and a basic melody in mind. Together, we refined the phrasing and tightened the melody. Matt was the original producer.
I met Agni later in Mumbai. He is also an accomplished producer who works extensively on Indian film music. I asked him to introduce Indian elements into the production, which he did beautifully. He brought in a flautist, added Indian percussion and rearranged parts of the track, giving it a richer musical texture.
- From ‘Khushi Khushi’ to ‘Give It to Ganga’, how do you see your musical identity evolving?
‘Khushi Khushi’ is spiritual pop in its own way. It is about finding happiness within yourself and keeping the key in your own pocket.
‘Give It to Ganga’ builds on that idea, but its spiritual themes are more explicit, particularly through the Sanskrit elements. Musically, however, it retains the upbeat quality of ‘Khushi Khushi’.
I want to pursue this genre more seriously and build a substantial body of work that establishes my identity as a spiritual pop artist. I do not know of many artists exploring this particular space today.
- In a world shaped by anxiety and constant connectivity, what can spiritual pop offer listeners?
I think spiritual pop can motivate people and help them adopt a more positive outlook on life. I feel it has healing energy. In a sense, it makes spirituality more accessible, and the mantras bring an additional sense of calm.
- What comes next after ‘Give It to Ganga’? Are you planning a larger project or album?
I have two more spiritual pop releases lined up. One is called ‘Face to Face’, and the other is ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’. I am also planning to write more songs in this genre and would like to collaborate with Sanskrit and Hindi rappers.
