The Weird Stuff Becomes Tomorrow's Trend: Sagarika Das On Finding Musical Gems- EXCLUSIVE

Sagarika Das interview: At Filmibeat, we love interacting with creative people who are passionate about their craft and work. Music is something that transcends borders and touches every heart. And when we think about timeless music, how can we not mention Sagarika Music?

Sagarika Music has been one of India's leading independent music labels, shaping Marathi, Bengali and non-film music for decades.

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In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Assistant Editor Abhishek Ranjit over a cup of coffee, Sagarika Das, Managing Director of Sagarika Music, got candid about the label's remarkable journey. From adapting to changing technologies to discovering artists, Sagarika bared her heart out in the interview.

The lady with a beautiful smile believes quality will always outlast trends, as she shared the secret behind Sagarika Music's enduring success.

Here are excerpts from the interview

Q. Sagarika Music has grown from a cassette and CD manufacturing legacy into one of India's most respected independent music labels. When you look back at this journey, what moments define the evolution of Sagarika Music for you personally?

Sagarika Das: One of the biggest turning points was the transition from cassettes to CDs. Almost overnight, we had to rethink the entire business. During the cassette era, people strategically placed their strongest songs first on Side A and Side B, but CDs allowed us to think about albums as complete listening experiences.

The move also increased production budgets because CDs had a much higher MRP, allowing us to invest in better music videos and bigger productions. Classical music also found a wider audience during that period. Eventually, digital monetisation changed everything again, making non-film music less commercially viable. Today, we're constantly adapting to technology, although I do miss the days when we could focus more on crafting a complete audio experience.

Q. At a time when many labels are chasing trends, Sagarika has focused on relationships and timeless music. Was this always a conscious philosophy?

Sagarika Das: I wouldn't say we never chased trends. The remix era itself was built around trends, and many of our biggest hits came during that phase.

What has remained constant is that we never try to force artists into a particular mould. Instead, we identify what's unique about them and help them reach the right audience. The most exciting ideas are often the ones artists think are too unconventional. Ironically, those "weird" ideas often become tomorrow's trends.

Q. You've worked with artists like Vaishali Samant, Swapnil Bandodkar, Avadhoot Gupte and Ajay-Atul. What qualities do you look for while identifying an artist?

Sagarika Das: Talent is just the starting point. I look for proficiency, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment. I also pay close attention to how seriously an artist approaches their career. It's important that they see music as a long-term profession because building an artist takes time and commitment from both sides.

Q. Sagarika Music played a major role in giving Marathi music a contemporary sound with songs like Aika Dajiba, Radha Hi Bavari and Galavar Khali. What was the vision?

Sagarika Das: My biggest advantage was probably that I wasn't from a Marathi background. I grew up listening to international music while gradually discovering Marathi music through the label.

Naturally, I wanted to combine the strengths of both worlds. For example, we spent almost a year reproducing Aika Dajiba before we found the sound we were happy with. I simply couldn't approve something I didn't genuinely believe in.

Q. Sagarika Music also became an important force in Bengali non-film music. What challenges did you face while building that market?

Sagarika Das: Most of the credit goes to my father. At the time, artists naturally wanted to work with HMV (now Saregama), which dominated the Bengali music space.

That meant we had to discover fresh talent and help build their careers from scratch. Artists like Srikanto Acharya and Subhamita Banerjee helped establish our identity. Once those artists succeeded, people began trusting Sagarika Music as a label.

Q. The music industry today revolves around streaming platforms, algorithms and short-form content. How can independent labels continue creating music with long-term value?

Sagarika Das: The music business has become a catalogue business. There is simply too much content being released every day, and AI is only increasing that volume.

If I truly believe in a song, I don't give up on it quickly. Many songs in our catalogue became successful months after they were released. My philosophy today is simple: quality over quantity.

Q. What's one lesson your father taught you that continues to guide you today?

Sagarika Das: Believe in artists.

He showed me that labels and artists don't have to be on opposite sides. Trust is everything. I've always tried to contribute to an artist's career just as much as they've contributed to the label. That's how lasting relationships are built.

Q. If you had to describe the soul of Sagarika Music in just three words, what would they be?

Sagarika Das: What is next.

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