Shantanu Moitra talks about the power of music: “It’s like a Brahmastra” - Exclusive

Recently, the World-Wide Fund for Nature - India (WWF-India) celebrated the convergence of Earth Hour 2025 with World Water Day with a vibrant festival that brought together music, art, and architecture to create a wave of change with the theme #BeWaterWise. As part of this festival, celebrated musician Shantanu Moitra shared stories from his 2,700-km journey along the Ganga River and performed alongside Nyishi singer-songwriter Taba Chake, highlighting the connection between music, communities, and environmental awareness.
Speaking about the ‘sangam’ or confluence of climate meeting composition, which would have been a far-fetched dream decades ago, Shantanu, in an exclusive conversation with us shared, “Actually, this confluence was always there. In school, one of the biggest mistakes we make is we create separate sections- arts and science. I don't think it's correct. There is so much art in science and science in art.”
He continued, “Also, I feel that music is a gift. You have to work on it and hone your skill with experience, but primarily, it’s a gift. But then what are we doing with this gift? Are we only making lots of money, traveling in big cars, owning lavish houses, and going around the world? Yes, we can have personal gain and benefits with this gift. But what difference can we make to this world? And I think that realization was very strong, very early on, in my life. Whenever I am doing Bollywood, it gets me name and fame like nothing else. I realize that the branding I get from Bollywood helps me talk to people about serious issues. That’s a formula I cracked. I think that my role is primarily as an ambassador to raise certain issues to people through my songs and stories and help leave a better world. My father always used to tell me – “When you're crossing the road, see if any elderly needs help. Crossing the road is moving ahead and progressing but holding the hand of someone who can’t cross by himself- that is roots.””
“I am not saying we should not progress- but growth is real only when you keep in mind everyone’s interest,” quoted the singer.
Shantanu has supported quite a few social causes, and his music highlights them. He told us about one of his works, which was based on a true tale, and it was all things raw yet captivating.
“There was a true story of an empowered woman from Gujarat- a lady who was abused at home by her husband, and one night he beat up this lady and threw her out of the home along with seven-year-old daughter. She walked out on the highway and reached a dhaba. The dhaba vala gave them shelter. She stayed at the dhaba, observing people for three days and realized how these highways/trucks were such a male-dominated world. It’s very awkward for girls to even stand there. That’s when she decided – she will take a loan, buy a truck, and have only women sitting in that truck. And that’s how my composition took birth and was picturized – this was 'Mann ke Manjeere' by Shubha Mudgal,” shared the artist.
“This is the power of art. It’s like a Brahmastra. A two-hour presentation versus a song – there is no comparison to how a song makes an instant connection with people. That’s how I started doing more and more of this,” concluded Shantanu, while highlighting the impact and power of music.
Article written by: Namrata Kohli