u/RevolutionarySwim978

I'm from Kerala and have been a singer/guitarist for around 6-7 years. Really good in Bollywood music. I played in a band, did gigs in bars, cafés, and small venues, but the band eventually dispersed.
Life happened, and I had to switch careers and move to the Gulf for work. Right now I'm working a regular job, but I honestly miss music and want to make a serious comeback.
I'm considering taking a big risk, returning to India, and rebuilding my music life from scratch. I'm especially interested in cities like Bangalore or Mumbai because they seem to have more active live music and independent artist scenes.
My goal isn't just to join another cover band-I want to be part of a creative community.
For musicians who are active in India right now:
Which city would you recommend for someone in my position?
My main options are Bangalore and Mumbai because they seem to have the most active music scenes.
For musicians currently based in either city:
Which city offers better opportunities for working musicians?
Is it easier to find gigs, session work, bands, and networking opportunities in Bangalore or Mumbai?
How active is the independent music scene in each city for someone wanting to release original music?
If you were starting over with experience but no strong local network, which city would you choose and why?
I'm willing to take a risk on this move, so I'd appreciate honest insights from people actually involved in the music scene.

I'm from Kerala and have been a singer/guitarist for around 6-7 years. Really good in Bollywood music. I played in a band, did gigs in bars, cafés, and small venues, but the band eventually dispersed.
Life happened, and I had to switch careers and move to the Gulf for work. Right now I'm working a regular job, but I honestly miss music and want to make a serious comeback.
I'm considering taking a big risk, returning to India, and rebuilding my music life from scratch. I'm especially interested in cities like Bangalore or Mumbai because they seem to have more active live music and independent artist scenes.
My goal isn't just to join another cover band-I want to be part of a creative community.
For musicians who are active in India right now:
Which city would you recommend for someone in my position?
My main options are Bangalore and Mumbai because they seem to have the most active music scenes.
For musicians currently based in either city:
Which city offers better opportunities for working musicians?
Is it easier to find gigs, session work, bands, and networking opportunities in Bangalore or Mumbai?
How active is the independent music scene in each city for someone wanting to release original music?
If you were starting over with experience but no strong local network, which city would you choose and why?
I'm willing to take a risk on this move, so I'd appreciate honest insights from people actually involved in the music scene.

I'm from Kerala and have been a singer/guitarist for around 6-7 years. Really good in Bollywood music. I played in a band, did gigs in bars, cafés, and small venues, but the band eventually dispersed.
Life happened, and I had to switch careers and move to the Gulf for work. Right now I'm working a regular job, but I honestly miss music and want to make a serious comeback.
I'm considering taking a big risk, returning to India, and rebuilding my music life from scratch. I'm especially interested in cities like Bangalore or Mumbai because they seem to have more active live music and independent artist scenes.
My goal isn't just to join another cover band-I want to be part of a creative community.
For musicians who are active in India right now:
Which city would you recommend for someone in my position?
My main options are Bangalore and Mumbai because they seem to have the most active music scenes.
For musicians currently based in either city:
Which city offers better opportunities for working musicians?
Is it easier to find gigs, session work, bands, and networking opportunities in Bangalore or Mumbai?
How active is the independent music scene in each city for someone wanting to release original music?
If you were starting over with experience but no strong local network, which city would you choose and why?
I'm willing to take a risk on this move, so I'd appreciate honest insights from people actually involved in the music scene.

I’m from Kerala and have been a singer/guitarist for around 6–7 years. Really good in Bollywood music. I played in a band, did gigs in bars, cafés, and small venues, but the band eventually dispersed.
Life happened, and I had to switch careers and move to the Gulf for work. Right now I’m working a regular job, but I honestly miss music and want to make a serious comeback.
I’m considering taking a big risk, returning to India, and rebuilding my music life from scratch. I’m especially interested in cities like Bangalore or Mumbai because they seem to have more active live music and independent artist scenes.
My goal isn’t just to join another cover band—I want to be part of a creative community.
For musicians who are active in India right now:
Which city would you recommend for someone in my position?

My main options are Bangalore and Mumbai because they seem to have the most active music scenes.
For musicians currently based in either city:
Which city offers better opportunities for working musicians?
Is it easier to find gigs, session work, bands, and networking opportunities in Bangalore or Mumbai?
How active is the independent music scene in each city for someone wanting to release original music?
If you were starting over with experience but no strong local network, which city would you choose and why?
I’m willing to take a risk on this move, so I’d appreciate honest insights from people actually involved in the music scene.

I’m a guitarist and singer planning to make Varkala my base in the future because I already have contacts there and can get regular gigs.
I’m fit, take care of my appearance, and I’m comfortable talking to people and making connections. At this point, I’m not really looking for a serious relationship and would prefer casual dating/hookups while focusing on my music career.
Realistically, what are my odds in a place like Varkala? Does being a musician actually make a noticeable difference in dating and hookup opportunities, or is that mostly a stereotype?
Interested in hearing from people who have lived in or spent a lot of time in Varkala.

I came to Saudi Arabia in October 2025 through a connection (my dad’s friend, who is a manager at a company). I was promised a salary of SAR 3,500, but due to delays with the company visa, I was asked to arrange my own visa for 3 months, which cost me around SAR 5000. I was told that after 3 months, they would transfer me under the company.

After arriving, things didn’t go as expected. My salary was reduced to SAR 2,000, the job and environment in Jubail haven’t suited me at all, and more importantly, my iqama/visa situation was never fixed. My initial permit expired in January, and as of now, I’m overstaying without proper sponsorship, which puts me in a risky position.

I’m someone with an active lifestyle back in India, and the only reason I took this job was to earn quickly for 1–2 years and leave. But now I just want to exit as soon as possible. I’m not comfortable here, the company situation seems unstable, and they’ve been delaying everything despite saying they’ll “fix it soon.”

I also have an important event in September, so I need to go back to India anyway.

Right now, I see two realistic options:

1. ⁠Wait for them to transfer me under the company (maybe July/August), let them handle the overstaying fines, then take an exit/re-entry visa in September for vacation—and simply not return.

2. ⁠Tell them clearly in advance that I don’t want to continue, ask for a final exit, and either they pay or I pay the fines myself—but risk them delaying things, treating me badly, or creating issues since I came through their reference. So there exist an uncertainty there if I’m choosing this option. Maybe I might not get my salary settlement.

I don’t plan to return to Saudi or GCC in the future, so long-term bans aren’t really a concern. So if I’m not concerned about that, why would I spent my own money on the visa renewal and fines. I’m just indecisive for now

Which option sounds safer or more practical in this situation?

I came to Saudi Arabia in October 2025 through a connection (my dad’s friend, who is a manager at a company). I was promised a salary of SAR 3,500, but due to delays with the company visa, I was asked to arrange my own visa for 3 months, which cost me around SAR 5000. I was told that after 3 months, they would transfer me under the company.

After arriving, things didn’t go as expected. My salary was reduced to SAR 2,000, the job and environment in Jubail haven’t suited me at all, and more importantly, my iqama/visa situation was never fixed. My initial permit expired in January, and as of now, I’m overstaying without proper sponsorship, which puts me in a risky position.

I’m someone with an active lifestyle back in India, and the only reason I took this job was to earn quickly for 1–2 years and leave. But now I just want to exit as soon as possible. I’m not comfortable here, the company situation seems unstable, and they’ve been delaying everything despite saying they’ll “fix it soon.”

I also have an important event in September, so I need to go back to India anyway.

Right now, I see two realistic options:

1. ⁠Wait for them to transfer me under the company (maybe July/August), let them handle the overstaying fines, then take an exit/re-entry visa in September for vacation—and simply not return.

2. ⁠Tell them clearly in advance that I don’t want to continue, ask for a final exit, and either they pay or I pay the fines myself—but risk them delaying things, treating me badly, or creating issues since I came through their reference. So there exist an uncertainty there if I’m choosing this option. Maybe I might not get my salary settlement.

I don’t plan to return to Saudi or GCC in the future, so long-term bans aren’t really a concern. So if I’m not concerned about that, why would I spent my own money on the visa renewal and fines. I’m just indecisive for now

Which option sounds safer or more practical in this situation?