The latest episode of the Dreamers Storytelling Series, curated by Sudhanshu Rai, turns its focus to the early life and evolution of musician Raghav Sachar—tracing a journey shaped by instinct, resistance, and a deep-rooted connection to music.
The episode opens with a moment from Sachar’s childhood that would later come to define his path. At the age of three, he picked up a harmonica his father had been playing and, to the surprise of his parents, reproduced the same tune with ease. What seemed like a fleeting incident revealed an early, intuitive grasp of music—one that would continue to unfold over the years.
Despite this early promise, Sachar’s formative years were not without difficulty. His academic struggles led to his enrollment in a boarding school, where distance from music created a sense of emotional disconnection. During this period, a physical altercation with a fellow student resulted in hospitalization—an incident that became a turning point. Feeling increasingly removed from his core identity, he chose to leave and return to what he felt most drawn to: music.
The episode highlights the tension between conventional expectations and creative pursuits, particularly in the context of the 1980s, when academic achievement was often prioritised over the arts. Sachar faced criticism from educators, including being labelled a “disgrace,” but continued to pursue his interest with the support of his family. This eventually led him to formal training and further studies at Monash University, where he specialised in saxophone and flute.
Life abroad brought its own challenges. Financial constraints meant balancing education with freelance work, including advertising assignments from India. Yet, these years also marked the beginning of his professional recognition. His debut album found support from established voices such as Sunidhi Chauhan, Kailash Kher, and Kunal Ganjawala—an early indication of his growing credibility within the music industry.
A key breakthrough came when filmmaker Yash Chopra invited him to work on the film Kabul Express, marking his debut as a music director. Over time, Sachar also contributed as an instrumentalist to films such as Salaam Namaste, Parineeta, Dhoom, and Hum Tum.
Today, Sachar’s work extends beyond performance and composition. He continues to explore innovation in sound, including the creation of new instruments and the use of music in therapeutic contexts.
Through this episode, the Dreamers Storytelling Series revisits not just a career trajectory, but the layered realities behind it—highlighting how early instinct, persistence, and support systems can shape an artist’s journey over time.