From Loss to Liberation: How Dhiraj Rajaram Fought to Reclaim His Company and Himself
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Set of spot illustrations created for FactorDaily's interview piece with Dhiraj Rajaram, the founder of MuSigma. The illustrations are meant to throw light on the turmoil and struggles of Dhiraj when he was going through testing times to regain ownership of his own company, and also reflecting on his personal battles in life so far.
As I sat across from Dhiraj, I couldn’t help but wonder about the duality of his public persona. To some, he’s an enigma—edgy, even a bit restless (a lot, at times). To others, he’s disarmingly simple and brutally honest. It’s a duality that doesn’t escape him, yet he seems largely indifferent.
Text:Pankaj Mishra/Dhiraj Rajaram
“I don’t consider myself crazy, despite what some might say. Growing up in Chembur, Bombay, I was surrounded by the vibrancy of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, the chants of ‘Ganapati bappa moriya’ echoing through the streets.”
But not all was festive and bright. Dhiraj’s father battled alcoholism and bipolar disorder, struggles that the family, unversed in mental health, grappled with.
“My Tata (his grandfather),” Dhiraj continued, “was the pillar that held us up through those tumultuous times.”
His grandmother’s unwavering belief in him, the conviction that he was destined for greatness, instilled an early confidence. “She didn’t know the ‘how’ or the ‘what,’ but she knew the ‘will’ was there,” Dhiraj reflected.
But not all was festive and bright. Dhiraj’s father battled alcoholism and bipolar disorder, struggles that the family, unversed in mental health, grappled with.
“My Tata (his grandfather),” Dhiraj continued, “was the pillar that held us up through those tumultuous times.”
His grandmother’s unwavering belief in him, the conviction that he was destined for greatness, instilled an early confidence. “She didn’t know the ‘how’ or the ‘what,’ but she knew the ‘will’ was there,” Dhiraj reflected.
Text:Pankaj Mishra/Dhiraj Rajaram
But his struggles weren’t confined to his personal life. Dhiraj faced a period where he was ousted from his own company, which he describes as “the dark night of the soul.”
Text:Pankaj Mishra/Dhiraj Rajaram
Longevity isn’t the only measure of a company’s success; it’s also about the grace with which it exits the stage, leaving behind a legacy that stands the test of time.
Text:Pankaj Mishra/Dhiraj Rajaram
“You know,” he said, leaning back, “VCs are like ventilator capital.” I chuckled, intrigued by the term. “They keep you alive but don’t necessarily make you healthy. They’re not in it for the long haul; they’re in it for the exit.”
Text:Pankaj Mishra/Dhiraj Rajaram
“I wish I had the wisdom to not seek so much attestation,” Dhiraj mused, a poignant acknowledgment of the yearning for validation that so often drives us. “I wish I had taken help when I was feeling lonely, and I wish I were more open about it.”
Text:Pankaj Mishra/Dhiraj Rajaram
