India, Oct. 7 -- Indian-origin American rapper-songwriter Raja Kumari places spirituality at the centre of her music. "I'm bringing it to the forefront and being fearless about it," says the singer who features on the recently released album Sounds of Kumbha. The artiste had signed to a major American label in 2015, but was told she would "get more budget" if she "didn't drop the bindi". "Back then, it was about exoticising who I was, not celebrating it," the 39-year-old recalls, adding that she felt liberated as an artiste only when she came to India. "I didn't want to wear my culture as a costume. I wanted to celebrate it. That's why, when I came to India, the liberation I felt as an artiste was incredible. Here, I could reference a character like Meera and just name a song after her without over-explaining," she says. Raja Kumari believes her "unique" voice gives her an authenticity that sets her apart, and that now drives her projects in India. "My voice is distinct, it pokes through," she says, insisting that she believes the country today is ready for its sound to travel. "We do not lack talent. If we build the right infrastructure, Indian music can become an export just like K-pop," she ends....