The advent of 2026 brings with it axioms as old as time. Take for instance the latest: “New year, new me,” a Gen Z favourite. Team MetroPlus however, is intent on taking the pressure off resolutions, and instead focussing on ushering in the days with intention and energy. It is why we have turned to four musicians, grinding through Margazhi season, who have been focussed on their own journeys to keep their body fit, and their minds still. Although one does not associate musicians to strength training, yoga, meditation, and running, here are four celebrities who tell us what has gotten them moving. Here’s to taking a page from their books. Also, new year greetings from us to you!
Sudha Ragunathan, Carnatic musician
Carnatic musician Sudha Ragunathan
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Whether we like it or not, accept it or not, fitness has to be integrated into one’s routine as a musician. I have realised that and attached importance to it, particularly after my pregnancy. I was conscious about the need for it to be a regular part of my life, but I started to put it into practice in my mid 30s.
Overall physical fitness contributes to one’s stamina and energy levels. That in turn helps maintain vocal hygiene. My training is varied, and I make a choice between meditation, yoga, strength training, using the treadmill and walking in Nature. I do not stick to a routine though. Especially when I travel, much of it goes for a toss. However, in the run-up to Margazhi there is always more awareness of the need for exercise, and watching what I eat, when and how. Usually, I have a ‘no junk food, nor food that is highly citric or cold’ rule.
Besides this, I find that it is essential to quieten the mind daily with meditation. Positive affirmations and listening to music help too. To remove my mind off music completely though, I watch films. Resolutions are difficult to live up to with my kind of schedule. But I do know that I’m going to increase my focus on overall health. This includes better fitness, and diet. But I do know that I’m going to increase my focus on health. One must feel happy for all that is. Smile and laught out!
Vishnu R, Instrumentalist focussing on the Navtar
Instrumentalist Vishnu R
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Being a touring musician who travels nine out of 12 months in a year, the main challenge is routine. An activity that has worked for me effectively is yoga every morning. It could be as simple as doing many rounds of suryanamaskar. I also take my pranayama and meditation seriously. Besides this, I also tend to trek, hike, and run when I have the time.
Some of the more interesting recent challenges have been completing the Thorong La Pass, the highest point of Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit Trek, and the Grand Canyon hike that my wife and I did. They tend to push me out of my comfort zone, fitness-wise. But this was not always the case. There was a lull during COVID, where it was easier to sometimes sleep in after travelling and eat at odd hours. Much of that has changed since 2022.
The Grand Canyon hike
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As someone who lives to eat, I do not put serious restrictions on what I eat. However, I enjoy walking. When I travel, I tend to sometimes clock 30,000 steps on a single day. That tends to balance things. I also eat only two meals as I practise intermittent fasting. Eating the second meal early has helped me wake up fresher.
The thing about musicians and instrumentalists is that a lot of our job involves being stationary. It hence becomes important to ensure that the kind of workout we do does not hamper our performance. One bad move can put us out of the season. Our work also is demanding on the mind as we must both perform and be active in social situations. This can be fatiguing. For that, pranayama helps. I am excited to get rid of the mental clutter and focus even more on my fitness goals in 2026.
Vandana Srinivasan, Hindustani Classical musician
Musician Vandana Srinivasan
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I consider it very important to integrate fitness in my regular routine as a musician and aim at working out four or five times a week. Yoga has been a constant companion for more than twenty years and I find that to be very helpful. Voice rest is as important as practice and that is an area that I need to be more mindful of.
I don’t make any particular modifications to my life during season time but if my days are looking too packed, I reduce the intensity of my exercise routine. On a concert day, I might opt for a lighter set of exercises with increased focus on breath work, but I make sure there is some form of movement.
I’ve always been active, but my regimens have looked different over the years. I found it particularly important when I joined the film industry and saw the lack of structure/routine around me. Incorporating a consistent fitness routine helped me overcome the toll of erratic schedules, travel and irregular work hours.
I do monitor what I eat, but I don’t believe in a very restrictive diet or associating guilt with food. I try to keep my meals balanced. What you eat makes a big difference to your stamina, especially on concert days.
Everything depends on the head office (pun intended) so I make sure I do whatever it takes to keep the spirits high and the mind centred. Reading, yoga, listening to music, going for a walk, making a cup of tea and savouring it in silence are some of my favourite ways to keep calm.
I wish to remain as consistent with my routine, read more, be regular with practice, and listen to a lot more music.
Praveen Sparsh, Mridangam artiste
Mridangam artistes Praveen Sparsh
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People do not realise how much it takes for musicians and instrumentalists to perform well on stage. My passion for fitness, however, was similar to what it is like today. There was a time in college when I was overweight and unfit. I was not able to play to my full potential. Training regularly has shown me that there certainly is some form of impact. Especially for instrumentalists whose posture and breathwork tend to matter.
This is why spending 45 minutes every day on my body has become non-negotiable nowadays. I do not like entering this advice mode with my students, but it is imperative to workout, stretch and breathe. More than saying that I love fitness, it is perhaps a good idea to say that I love activities. I play badminton, love to trek, cycle and run too. I also enjoy going to the beach and walking. My last big trek was the Everest Base Camp so that was an interesting feat.
As someone who gets bored, I do not do the same thing every day and try to switch it up from the daily gym routine. I am no longer putting pressure and ticking protein, and fibre off a checklist every day. I eat in moderation, based on what I find where I am and have stopped obsessing over what my plate looks like. When it comes to mental fitness, musicians are required to stay on an even keel because much of our conversation happens on stage. We respond to music. One cannot switch on and off after a job. There was a time when we were performing four kutcheris a day, but that is not sustainable now so I have brought it down to two.
I also like to do some body-based work instead of watching something on the television to relax. I don’t want to stress about any resolutions. I am not that kind of person. I am just happy with what I am doing.
Published – December 31, 2025 04:05 pm IST
