Moving to her own rhythm: Piroo Rana

How do you stand your ground against a wave of conformism especially as a singer/songwriter who is a woman and part of the LGBTQIA+ community?

Storyteller turned musician, Piroo Rana, is intent on carving a niche of her own. Stellar got candid with this gifted artist over her storytelling, artistry, identity and life, as she knows it.

Tell us something about Piroo Rana, the artist and the person behind the artist?

Piroo: Many people know me as Piroo but my real name is Priti. Piroo is a nickname given by my parents. I don’t really feel like me when I have to introduce myself as Priti. I have always been a tomboy and it was really hard for me to fit in with the crowd. Gradually, people are getting to know me through my music.

As an artist I am someone who is really into story telling. I turn my stories into songs. I turn all my experiences into my songs. From getting bullied in school to being told by some of my friends that I wasn’t behaving like a girl, as an artist I want to show that it’s okay to be different, it’s okay to be you. All you need is to be yourself. I seek to send across this message that it’s not always about love and instead explore themes that everyone can relate to. So that’s who I am, a storyteller turned musician.

Your song “Saptarangi” is really profound. You posted it on Instagram and the line “Pani ho timi bagideu, afnai gati ma…” really struck a chord…

Piroo: The title means seven colored so it refers to Pride. You’re a human being and you don’t have to be something else. Society tries to place a barrier around you when you’re a girl and therefore you have to dress a certain way. They don’t think about what goes on the inside. That is what I want to convey here, for people to relate to it at different levels. You don’t have to be gay, lesbian or a trans person. You can be anyone to relate to it. We’re constantly made to feel insecure about ourselves so I want to tell them that it’s okay to be who they are.

Music is not your run-of-the-mill career choice. What inspired you to take it up?

Piroo: I started music in 2011, with GX Soul called “Satayera”, people don’t know I sang in it because I wasn’t in the video. After that I left for the UK to pursue my studies. You might not believe me but I’m actually training to be a Chartered Accountant. I am still sitting for my exams because it is a tough course. I got caught up with life there, which, after a while, made me feel lost because my interests were elsewhere; in music.

So, come what may, I decided to talk it over with my parents, it was difficult initially. I did go through that phase but it’s all about following your passion. That is what I’m doing. I might fail but I’m just going for it.

Recently, you’d uploaded an instagram story about how a lot of music lacks soul and essence. How difficult is it?

Piroo: Yes, it is difficult because you put so much effort into your music and it is so easy to drop a comment online saying it’s not good. Not to brag, but I think my singing is pretty good but it does boil down to promotion. The more you promote yourself, the better for you.

Also some songs that sell are so auto tuned it makes me wonder where we are heading in the industry.

You were part of the Women in Concert in March. How was that experience?

Piroo: I had never performed in front of a crowd before being a part of 'Women in Concert.' That was the perfect opportunity to face my fears. I hadn’t expected so many people to turn up and when I sang “Lukamari”, they sang along with me. It was the best moment ever, since I had only dreamed of such a thing.

What are the challenges you face as a person who identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, as a woman, and as a young musician?

Piroo: When it comes to being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I think I am lucky because my family and friends are really supportive so I haven’t faced discrimination in that matter. People haven’t really defined me by my sexual identity but as a female singer/songwriter, we are very few of us in the industry.

But, as soon as you say you’re a female singer people think you sing in a high voice. I have a voice that’s in the middle. People are not used to listening to my type of voice. However, I have grown used to it to the point that it doesn’t affect me anymore. I just keep them guessing. It’s funny sometimes.

If there is one thing that you could change

about how the Nepali audience perceives your music, what would it be?

Piroo: There is a very limited audience listening to the type of music I make. I can’t really do anything about that but the one thing I would like to change is to tell them not to go by the visuals. If there are women sexualized in the video, people do not care for the actual song, it’s just background music right? This is why I prefer to release the audio first, so, people actually listen to my songs.

A very important and concerning matter is; people should stop with the negative criticism, how about constructive criticism? Simply because if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it. You can stick to what you like but don’t go and ruin someone else’s hard work. People should learn to adapt. Music can be presented in so many ways and I want to put that message across.

When you came out last year on Social Media, had you spoken to your family and friends about your sexual identity previously?

I never told them but they knew. In 2015, I came out to my parents and I was received pretty well; as they had known about me all along. It also helped that my mother is a nurse and she knew it is normal. I am so thankful for that. As for social media, many knew that about me while others were speculative. I never thought of “coming out” because I never saw the need to. I’d always liked girls but some were confused. Until they see you “coming out” they think you’re not. It's pretty sad that such a mindset exists. Once the post came out, I didn’t really face any negative comments. I had stated that if the person was homophobic then I had no time to deal with them. So yeah, I was never really closeted so I don’t know if that post can be taken as a “coming out.” However, in my school days I was scared since I was trying to figure things out.

How did you cope in your school days?

Piroo: I went to a co-ed school. When I was in middle school and all my female friends were in relationships or crushing on boys. I had a huge crush on this girl who was my friend, so I used to wonder if something was wrong with me since I was a girl too! I have been crushing on her for six years, which is a long time! I was happy looking at her, I kept to my own and I would be bullied sometimes but I wasn’t bothered as much by such things then. In high school I grew confident and had no qualms about telling people how I felt. I kept in mind that if I had true friends, they would accept me for who I was. Some people get asked if they’re going through a phase and I was asked that too. They even suggested I visit a therapist but I knew it was not going to solve thing.

What are your plans for the future now?

Piroo: I’ve been asked this question over and over again since I was a kid! I am working on an album. I’m looking to collaborate with one of the finest artists in Nepal. There are so many artists I look up to. For that I have to set my ground, I need to be at a certain level. I wish to do it. No! I will do it.

After that I really want to give opportunities to talented people who are stuck in one place. This is just a plan for now but I would like to set up a production house in the future. They just need a little push. I would love to do that in the future. The rest will come.

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Words: Nikita Rai

Styslist: Buzz

Photos: Papa Shanks