Interview Purvaja | They fail to see the beauty that lies in the forms of art with darker side

Purvaja, a Vedic/Black metal band  from Hyderabad recently spoke with Rawrr Magazine giving a detailed explanation to the antiquated term 'Purvaja' as the band's name is concern. 'Aghori' will be their first full length album which is set to release this year is enlightened in the interview as well. As a band which traverse two genre namely Vedic and Black, bringing a light to the rich musical history of the Indian Culture, the band admits the difficulty to dedicate time for both including personal and professional lives but later gives a sigh of hope and encouragement by saying that "it is the spirit which is always willing." Read the full interview below

Rawrr Magazine:- Hello Rahul, Tell us about Purvaja.
Purvaja:- Greetings Bibek, Firstly thank you for showing interest and taking time to interview ‘Purvaja’.

Purvaja (meaning: Primordial) is a one man Vedic/black metal act from Hyderabad, India. With influences spawning from various genres of black metal and Vedic metal Purvaja combines the elements required to create music reflecting its lyrical themes based on Vedic culture, Hindu philosophy, mythology and other related theologies.

In 2006, I formed Karmageddon, an early incarnation of Purvaja infusing Vedic metal and groove metal. The band performed a few shows until 2009 and eventually disbanded. With lack of resources and unable to find like-minded members who were interested in creating Vedic style/influenced music, I decided to start Purvaja as the sole member being strongly influenced by one man acts like Burzum, Xasthur, Leviathan etc., Using whatever resources available (sampled drums, voice recording, electric guitars etc), Purvaja released its first track entitled "She, Who Devoured Raktabija" online; which subsequently gained recognition in the Indian underground black metal scene. After almost a year, Purvaja finally released its first EP entitled "Dark Goddess Divine"which pays homage to the Hindu deity, Kali, the goddess of destruction and death.

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You are coming with a new album "Aghori"? Tell us about it. And how much do we have to wait.

‘Aghori’ is going to bePurvaja’s first full length album.As the title itself speaks the album is about the sect of puritans who believe themselves to be an embodiment of Bhairva (A form of Shiva) and search for the light being in darkness by negation of dualities. As of now the album consists of tracks entitled Aghori,Ghor Tapasya,Kapal and Nirvikalpa Samadi while I am simultaneously working on a few untitled tracks too. I cannot promise any particular month/date as to when the album would be released as it is more of the thinking process that takes time than the recording process to get the satisfactory output from the tracks. Hopefully the album should be completed by mid/end of 2014.

You are working with two bands both are different in genre? How do you manage it?

Well, I believe every human being has different shades in one mind. Shock Therapy is one of the shades reflecting my hate toward the inhumane nature of mankind through the sounds of Slam brutal death metal and Purvaja is one of the shades reflecting my love towards the essence of my ancestors through the sounds of Black/Vedic metal. It is quite difficult to dedicate time for both including personal and professional lives but it is the spirit which is always willing.

When you make songs; what is the thing that comes to your mind at first?

Before composing songs I always have a theme in my head and take a lot of time to research about it from various resources. As I mentioned before, it is more of a thinking process than a recording process.

Are you planning to come to live with Purvaja?

As of now I do not have any plans to go live with Purvaja and would love to keep it a one man band.

What aims have you set as a band in future?

The main focus of Purvaja is to evoke the essence of what our ancestors have left behind for us which is slowly becoming oblivion in this so called modern world. Looking forward to release more albums in the future and mark the definition of its purpose.

What is the ideology that the band follows/believes?

All that our ancestors have believed, written and followed have deep meaning and purpose. They are not fairy tales. We need to contemplate to understand it, connect with it, and realize its essence.

What were the best and the worst experiences so far as a musician?

Best experience is when your art is appreciated, it encourages you and when your art is depreciated; it encourages you even more to dig deep down your sound and find yourself with your artwork being your beacon.

In general term metal isn't appreciated by Society what do you have to say on this?

People who listen to metal too are a part of the society even if they claim themselves not to be. So the idea of metal not being appreciated in the society is overruled in my opinion. Coming to people who do not appreciate metal music, it is their own choice or maybe they fail to see the beauty that lies in the forms of art with darker side.

Anything you would like to say to the fans out there?

I sincerely thank each and everyone for all the support and encouragement they have given me in all forms possible. Do share Purvaja’s music if you have liked it and understood it.

Lastly, a space for you anything I have forgotten to ask you can tell us here?

Nothing in particular. Keep supporting the metal scene in India.