For every ’90s music lover, the name Leslee Lewis evokes a defining era of Indian indie pop. A composer, producer, and singer who seamlessly blended Indian classical melodies with Western pop, rock, and jazz, Lewis helped shape a generation’s soundscape. With the groundbreaking duo Colonial Cousins alongside Hariharan, he introduced a fresh musical vocabulary that transcended genres and borders.

Originally conceived in the early 1990s and released in 1996, Colonial Cousins became a landmark moment in Indian music history. The duo fused ghazal influences with global pop arrangements, creating a sound that resonated internationally. Their success paved the way for Indian acts to gain global recognition and even feature on platforms such as MTV Unplugged, long before the “global vibe” became a mainstream aspiration.

Speaking about the recent virality of “Ramba Ho” from Dhurandhar, originally popularised by Usha Uthup, Lewis expressed a balanced view on remixes and remakes. He believes reinterpretations are meaningful when executed with sensitivity and musical integrity. According to him, nostalgia has emotional power, and audiences yearn for melodies that reconnect them to their formative years while still sounding contemporary.

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After a 26-year gap, Lewis has returned as a playback singer with “Zorr Ka Dhakka” from the film Zorr, which released on February 6, 2026. The opportunity, he revealed, came through composer Raju Singh, who sought his distinctive voice for the track. For Lewis, the comeback signifies not just professional validation but also the timelessness of his musical identity in a rapidly evolving industry.

Over the past decade, Lewis has focused on independent music, releasing multiple singles and a live-recorded collection titled The White Album in 2025. Touring internationally from Paris to Istanbul, he has continued sharing the “’90s experience” with audiences worldwide. As he prepares for new releases, Lewis promises a revival of melody-driven music, blending the warmth of nostalgia with the innovation of today’s soundscape.

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