Chowraasta Are Heading Out on Their Debut U.S. Tour This Month

It’s only apt that ahead of their first-ever U.S. tour, Telugu band Chowraasta are releasing a song like “Padara Saami.” As vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Yashwanth Nag tells us, “’Padara Saami’ is basically means, let’s go and explore the world. The song is about exploring  and enjoying nature.”

Taking place between August and October, the band best known for songs like “Maya,” “Oorelipota Mama,” “Hey Johnny” and “Kanche Leni Desam” – all of which will be part of their setlist in the U.S. – have been busking often. Nag says it was during their street performances that “Padara Saami” was composed in early 2023, specifically as a promo for their documentary about busking.

The bandleader adds that fans heard the minute-long promo and wanted a full version, which prompted Chowraasta to expand the composition. The specific inspiration, according to Nag, was during the band’s visit to perform in Adilabad in Telangana and interacting with tribal communities on the last stop of their tour.

With 15 shows in the bag, Chowraasta will also devote their setlist to perform music by Telugu poets and writers such as Goreti Venkanna and Balayya Babu. “We are practicing new songs from films and also a couple of covers from Goreti Venkanna garu and Suddala Hanmanthu garu, he was a Telangana folk writer.”

Although it’s their first time to the U.S., it’s not Chowraasta’s first international tour, considering they performed in Australia in March last year. “That was 10 days, it was very heavy for us. We’re used to seeing Indians everywhere, you know? So I’m a little nervous only because America is a new place for me. But all the Telugu people will be there anyways,” Nag says.

A particular fan request for the upcoming tour from Indians based in the U.S. or diaspora fans of Chowraasta has been “Kanche Leni Desam.” Nag says it was heartening to find the song being requested for their shows. “It means, ‘My nation has no borders.’ So in that sense, they connected to that song a lot. That was my experience in Australia as well,” he says.

Busking may not be the most popular (or even legally permitted) performance art form in India and Chowraasta have still thrived in that format, so Nag says they would certainly take on any busking opportunities if they come up during the U.S. tour.

Once they’re back in October, Nag promises “back to back” song releases including their version of the yesteryear film song “Palleturi Pillagada” from the movie Maa Bhoomi. “It addresses child labor. We’re covering that song and I’ve directed the music video,” Nag says. Beyond Telugu, Chowraasta will also release Tamil versions of two of their songs “Kanche Leni Desam” and “Oorelipota Mama,” teaming up with veteran lyricist Vairamuthu.

Chowraasta U.S. Tour 2024 Dates

Aug. 17 –  Atlanta

Aug. 23 – Austin

Aug. 24 – Virginia

Aug. 31 – Los Angeles 

Sep 13 – Houston

Sep 14 – Charlotte

Sep 20 – Bentonville

Sep 21 – St. Louis

Sep 27 – Bay Area

Sep 28 – Dallas

Get tickets here.