Feature

5 New Indian Indie Artists to Watch in 2026

Five solo songwriters on the rise: a pop artist who reinvented herself, a finance-to-music Mumbai newcomer, a Delhi confessional songwriter, a Fresh Finds regular and a classically trained Gen-Z hitmaker.

1. 01

   Hanita Bhambri

   Pop · Mumbai

   

   Hanita Bhambri is a Mumbai-based singer-songwriter who has released music in English and Hindi since 2018. Her early work, including the 2019 EP Nothing for Our Own, leaned on acoustic guitar and soft, confessional indie pop.

   Her debut album Shoharat (May 2025) turned that around: 11 tracks of darker pop with electronic and hip-hop touches, written after a move to Mumbai, a breakup and being dropped by her management. Sagar Dhote produced nine of the songs, and Keshav Dhar produced "Zillat".

   Essential tracks

   • Daayan
   • Khoon
   • Bhool Bhulaiya

2. 02

   Kanishk Sawhney

   Alternative · Mumbai

   

   Kanishk Sawhney is a Mumbai-based singer-songwriter who came to music after working in finance in Boston. His debut single "Aasmaan" arrived in September 2025, followed by "Dono Yahaan", "Ask Me About It" and "Kajal Laga Le".

   "Seedhi Saadhi" (October 2026), a duet with Namratha Othayoth that he wrote and composed, reached No. 3 on Spotify's Fresh Finds India playlist four days after release. Every release so far carries his own name as rights holder.

   Essential tracks

   • Seedhi Saadhi
   • Kajal Laga Le
   • Aasmaan

3. 03

   Smiti Malik

   Indie rock / singer-songwriter · New Delhi

   

   Smiti Malik is a New Delhi singer-songwriter who writes in English. Her debut solo EP, Sad Songs For A Sunday, was self-released in June 2026 and made with producer and guitarist Ritwik De.

   She wrote the five songs during the pandemic and calls them "love songs written for sadness". The EP sets plain, confessional lyrics against a band arrangement, and the title track adds light orchestral touches.

   Essential tracks

   • Sad Songs For A Sunday
   • Back On The Floor Again
   • Growing Pains

4. 04

   Vardaan Malhotra

   Indian pop · New Delhi

   

   Vardaan Malhotra is a singer-songwriter based in New Delhi who writes in Hindi and plays acoustic guitar. He started releasing music in 2024 with the single "Adhoora", "Tinka" and the four-song EP Putla.

   "Naav" (2025) and "Nadaani" (2026) followed. His single "Khatt", produced by Ritwik De with sitar from Soumendra Goswami, reached No. 9 on Spotify's Fresh Finds India in October 2026 and became his most-played track.

   Essential tracks

   • Khatt
   • Putla
   • Adhoora

5. 05

   Saahel

   Pop · Mumbai

   

   Saahel is a Mumbai singer-songwriter born in 2002 who trained in Hindustani classical music from childhood. He first drew a following with covers and mashups on Instagram, and his debut original, "Zariya" (2022), won Radio City's award for best young indie artist.

   He has toured India with his Zariya Tour and a four-piece band. In 2025 "Baarish Mein Phir" and "Tera Pata" each passed millions of streams, and he was a Spotify RADAR India artist.

   Essential tracks

   • Zariya
   • Baarish Mein Phir
   • TERA PATA