Anika Bharwani doesn’t play by the rules. She left music college to carve her own path and spent the next two years writing her debut album, now released as a collection of songs that reflect her courage and personal journey. Inspired by artists like Lizzy McAlpine, Bon Iver and Adrianne Lenker, her sound is intimate, reflective, and unafraid. There’s no playing it safe—just an unapologetic pursuit of truth. Five Foot Three is songwriter-singer Anika’s debut album — an ode to all the heights she once was before reaching the one she stands at now. Spanning 7 tracks, the album maps a coming-of-age journey shaped by Anika’s evolving values and inner world. It’s tender, grounded, and curious — asking what it really means to grow up. We spoke to her about all the magic that unfolded behind her debut album.
Tracing the Importance of Music
If you watch any of my childhood videos, I’m singing or dancing in all of them. Little did I know, I would always be doing that. There’s always something I’ve loved about the stage. I used to be terrified of it at first. Terrified of the power one can command when they’re under a spotlight. But now, I have fallen in love with it. The possibility of making someone feel seen, of singing about things that are scary to say out loud. The possibility of changing something. I am happiest on stage.
Story Behind the Name
One of my songs on the album is called Five Foot Three. The lyric goes ‘someone with a heart so big, despite being five foot three.’ Tejas Menon, my producer/best friend, and I were working one day when he recommended this album name. It just clicked and felt right to me. That’s how I make any of my decisions, really — call it intuition if you want. Five Foot Three is also my height. It’s almost like capturing this moment of my life. Not that I’m going to grow any further, haha. But that’s the point. Five Foot Three. This is who I am and will always be at my core.
Songwriting Endeavors
My songwriting process is constantly meeting myself as I am right now. The process is very internal. Being a songwriter is more of a lifestyle for me. It teaches you honesty and self-awareness. I thought I was honest with myself, turns out it’s very conditional. Songwriting makes me spew out all the parts of myself that are difficult to face. If you listen to any of my songs, you’ll understand me — and hopefully yourself, deeper than before.
Visual & Sonic Inspiration
Sonically, there are two people who have shaped me as an artist. First being Tejas. Getting to work with someone I am inspired by is so rewarding. There is so much to learn from him, be it about music or life. The album wouldn’t be what it is without Tejas. Secondly, Lizzy McAlpine. An artist who is so honest and doesn’t shy away from speaking her mind - but gently, softly. Just like I try to do.
Visually — it’s only this year that I’ve started being super curious about film. There’s not one person I can point down for visual inspiration but everyone I’ve worked with has such different perspectives and eyes, and it’s so beautiful to see the world how other people see it. The people I work with deeply inspire me.
Dancing With a Pieces
Making the music video for Dancing With a Pieces was just a blast. It took a lot of hard work but having so many of my friends under one roof, being part of my music, is so special to me. It’s so beautiful to see different people coming together and creating such beautiful energy. Saying that, it is exhausting to not have a proper team and to do it the indie way. I really hope to build a team soon so I can just focus on the art — and not the logistics of it all.
Hopes for The Album
Some of the most beautiful music I hear challenges the way I think and see the world. I hope this album can do that for people. I hope Five Foot Three leaves people feeling inspired, feeling excited, feeling confused (you have to be lost to be found) and feeling seen.
Words Neeraja Srinivasan
Date 1-08-2025