A Hyper-real harmony: Drama & sound converge at genre-bending gig

Multifaceted creative Kavya Trehan aka KAVYA talks about crafting immersive live experiences — layering sound, light, and movement to build a surreal sonic world on stage.The last time I was in Hyderabad, my crew and I took back 4–5 kilos of biryani for our friends. This time, those 4–5 kilos went straight into our stomachs! (laughs).I’ve always wanted to create a world where people can feel safe to just be,” says Delhi-based singer-songwriter, KAVYA aka Kavya Trehan. That intention came through vividly during her recent performance in Hyderabad, which blended theatrical elements with immersive soundscapes — and gradually built into a set that was both meditative and deeply rhythmic. In an exclusive chat with us before taking to the stage, she spoke about building sonic worlds and her evolving artistic identity.‘I miss going to a stage and feeling emotions transform’Returning to live performance, the musician leaned into her theatre roots — a craft she’s been immersed in since the age of eight — to create a set that felt more like a narrative unfolding than just a playlist. “In this world, when we are overburdened with information at the second call of our fingertips, I really miss my theatre background. I miss physically going to a stage and feeling emotions transform,” she shared.That desire played out in the very first moments of her set as she opened the show lying still on the floor, resembling a woodland spirit waking from slumber. From there, the performance gradually swelled, layering immersive soundscapes with movement, light, and a sense of otherworldliness. “Instead of trying to do something that’s trending, I wanted to lean into the fundamental reason I’m a creative person. I wanted to make something that comes from my core,” she added.- Shrestha Mukherjee