Composing Worlds Seen and Unseen: Nikhil Koparkar on The Wheel of Time and The Hills of Tanchico

In this episode of The Slow Dive, host Farida Rafique sits down with award-winning composer Nikhil Koparkar to explore the art and evolution of music across mediums. Nikhil, whose song “The Hills of Tanchico” for Amazon’s acclaimed fantasy series The Wheel of Time earned a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media (2026 consideration), shares his journey from global influences to cinematic storytelling.

Together, they dive into the creative process behind his scores for film, television, and gaming, unpacking how technology and AI are reshaping the future of music composition. The conversation touches on the emotional architecture of sound, the importance of collaboration in storytelling, and how music serves as a universal bridge between cultures and emotions.

Nikhil also reflects on his aspirations ...