‘You’re missing good music’: Anushka on Kappa CULTR, Kerala & her love for porotta and beef
When Anushka stepped into Kerala for Kappa CULTR’s third edition, it wasn’t just another festival booking on her calendar, it was personal.
Kerala is home. Her mother was born in Cochin. She proudly calls herself a Mallu. And despite visiting a couple of times, including her last trip for the Biennale, she had never actually performed here. So when the opportunity came to be part of South India’s hottest music festival, it felt right in every way.
“I was quite intrigued by what they were doing here,” she shared. There was something about the energy of Kappa CULTR, something growing, something new, something rooted in the culture of the land she comes from.
For Anushka, this wasn’t just about playing a set. It was about showing up for something she believes in.
A festival that’s only in its third edition, yet already making serious noise across the country. A festival that feels intentional, not manufactured.
“I just wanted to be part of something that’s growing and from home,” she said. “And I want to be able to help and support a festival like this.”
That sense of belonging carried through her entire experience. Many of her friends were on the lineup, which made it even more special. There’s something uniquely comforting about watching your friends play, about sharing the same stage, the same crowd, the same air.
Even though she had to leave the next day and couldn’t catch everyone’s acts, she was genuinely excited to see as much as she could, including Bart Skills. Festivals like Kappa CULTR aren’t just about headliners. They’re about community.
And the festival itself? It impressed her.
She spoke about the setup, the production quality, the infrastructure, the way everything was thoughtfully laid out. The stalls. The activities. The fact that there’s plenty to explore before the music even begins.
“There’s quite a lot happening,” she said. “There’s enough for people to do throughout the day before the music starts.”
That’s what makes Kappa CULTR different. It isn’t just a night of electronic music, it’s an immersive cultural experience. You can walk through thoughtfully curated spaces, try incredible food, discover art, meet people, and then step into a high-energy soundscape once the sun sets.
And if you’re not here? “You’re missing good music,” she said simply.
But it’s more than that.
If you’ve never been to Kerala, Kappa CULTR is the perfect reason to plan your trip around it. The hospitality here, at the festival and beyond, left a strong impression on her. The warmth. The welcome. The way audiences are given a safe, vibrant space to just enjoy.
There’s something about Kerala that feels generous. And Kappa CULTR carries that same energy.
Of course, no conversation about Kerala is complete without food. When asked about her favourites, she didn’t hesitate, "Malabari porotta and beef." While Japanese cuisine holds the top spot in her heart, "South Indian food comes in right after. Some flavours are nostalgic. Some feel like home."
And Anushka herself? She’s layered.
Music might be what the audience sees, but it’s actually her second profession. She’s been a photographer for the last 20 years, a creative eye long before the decks. That visual sensitivity shows in her sound and in her presence. There’s intention behind what she does.
When asked whether she considers herself more aesthetic or edgy, she didn’t overthink it.
“I think I have a very edgy aesthetic.”
That description could just as easily apply to Kappa CULTR. Rooted in culture, but pushing forward. Grounded in community, but ambitious in scale.
Warm, yet unapologetically bold.
In just three editions, Kappa CULTR has established itself as South India’s hottest music festival, not just because of the lineup, but because of the space it creates. For artists. For audiences. For culture to evolve.
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