As a drummer with Indian rock band Parikrama, Shubha Mudgal’s fusion band Koshish, an independent music producer, Srijan Mahajan, 33, has been an artiste for 15 years. He calls himself a freelancer and small business owner. It’s a unique job description. And the challenges he faces, he says, are equally unique. When these hurdles get too big to surmount, Mahajan admits that like every other person, his mental health takes a toll.

Hoping to do something about it, and for other independent creators and artistes like himself, Mahajan has founded Pause. He calls it a mental health platform for founders, artistes, freelancers and entrepreneurs. With him on the project is friend and entrepreneur Ankur Kampani.