[4][5][6] Swarathma was formed in 2002 in Mysore when vocalist and songwriter Vasu Dixit met Abhinanth Kumar on guitars with the objective of creating original music.

Dixit left in 2003 to pursue a Masters in Film and Video Communication from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, leading to the band taking a two-year break, but regrouped in 2006 with Montry Manuel on drums.

Swarathma continued to play shows in and around Bangalore, gaining popularity and building a fan-base, while searching for a record label who would release the band's music.

[20] In press interviews the band said that it was a combination of theatric showmanship and musical effort that brought them this honour.,[21] coupled with the fact that the onstage energy came from close relationships that band-members shared amongst themselves.

[24] Swarathma entered Kshitiz Studios, New Delhi in July 2008 to record their debut album with EMI Music India as part of winning RC Live[25] with Amit Kilam as the producer.

[27] The freshness of sound coupled with insightful, sensitive lyrics touching upon subjects as varied as India's economic regeneration and personal journeys made Rolling Stone magazine give it four stars and describe it as "the next level" of Indian rock.

[28] The band supported the album with an aggressive tour schedule playing at major Indian cities, despite a freak accident leading to Vasu's shoulder dislocation.

[31] In October 2008, Swarathma entered the Yash Raj Studios with John Leckie and Massive Attack producer Dan Austin to record two tracks for a compilation album funded by the British Council.

[32] It’s raucous, it’s fun, and even with the obvious language gap, songs like "Yeshu, Allah aur Krishna" are blindingly infectious... only terminal depression could make you ignore the sheer good vibes emanating from Swarathma.

The album released in May 2009 to mixed reviews, however Swarathma received consistently positive feedback owing to the infectious live energy apparent on the recordings.

[36] They played two showcases at The Great Escape Festival, one at The Arc and the other at Horatio's Bar on the Brighton Pier[37] where they managed to get the largely British crowd sing along to Indian lyrics.

[38] Those exposed to Swarathma's theatrics-heavy stage act described it variously influenced by krautrock, garage punk and ska while reaffirming its earthy appeal.

[42] The band is socially conscious and have taken up causes such as discouraging the use of plastic[43] by promoting cloth shopping bags made by Small Steps, a Puducherry based NGO.

[50] In January 2010 they launched a series of concerts called Action Replay,[51] which involves performances at venues for people who otherwise cannot access live contemporary music.

Various artistes joined the band as guests in performances, notably saxophonist David Moskowicz of Lyons, France and Tavil player Raja of Bull Temple Road, Bangalore.

[61] On 27 November 2011, Swarathma featured in the 7th episode of the Star World India series The Dewarists, collaborating with noted Hindustani classical music singer Shubha Mudgal.