Naren's indie round-up - Dec 2021 Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Euphoria/ Saahiba

Label: Self-released

Rating: ***

With the songs 'Dhoom Pichuk' and 'Maaeri' over two decades ago, New Delhi band Euphoria were at the forefront of the Hindi pop-rock scene. In September, they released the album titled Sale.

Frontman Palash Sen is again in good form on 'Saahiba', a song about unfulfilled love and betrayal. "Tum jo gaye toh aisa laga meri ishq ki bekadri hui", he sings. The song has writing contribution by Prem Nikaju.

The video, starring Barkha Bisht and Palash, is filled with emotional moments. The ending, where he says "Main achcha aadmi hoon, bewakoof nahin", packs a punch. Euphoria has a sizeable fan following and this should please them.

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Salman Ali/ Mohabbat Ke Kabil

Label: BJS Music

Rating: *** 1/2

The winner of the 10th season of Indian Idol, Salman Ali is a singer to watch out for. We heard him sing marvellously on the Dabangg 3 song 'Awara' and now he does the independent song 'Mohabbat Ke Kabil'.

Another song about heartbreak, it has been composed by Shiva Chopra and written by Ravi Chopra. Salman's voice has a natural charm and flexibility as he sings, "Aaj tumko pata yeh chala hai, hum mohabbat ke kaabil nahin the".

Israr Ahmad's video, starring Aamir Arab, Ayesha Khan and Salman, follows a predictable storyline. Also, the opening monologue sounds dry. Doesn't matter, as it's Salman's singing that excels. 

Mirande Shah/ Saiyaan Nikas Gaye

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

The traditional raag Mishra Bhairavi thumri 'Saiyaan Nikas Gayee' has been sung by many, from Shobha Gurtu in concerts to a film version by Lata Mangeshkar and Bhupinder. Now Ahmedabad-bred singer Mirande Shah does a version woven around jazz-rock arrangements.

The song talks of a woman's despair after her beloved leaves. Assisted by producer-guitarist Raag Sethi and a band comprising a bassist, keyboardist and drummer, Mirande sings the main lines in the original semi-classical form. Her play on the words 'Dus darwaze' is brilliant, and the keyboard and guitar solos lend a twist.

The video, shot in the heritage haveli Rhodesia House in Dharmaj, Gujarat, has a grand, opulent look. It adds appropriate visual value to a well-rendered song.

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Tanishk Bagchi ft Asees Kaur, Yasser Desai/ Marjawaan

Label: Artist Originals

Rating: ***

Known and often panned for his endless remakes of old numbers, Tanishk Bagchi is now out with the independent single 'Marjawaan'. It's a Punjabi rhythm n' blues influenced club track with Asees Kaur and Yasser Desai on vox.

The song has a nice groove and catchy back-ups, with the words "Haay haay haay main marjawaan" on repeat at the end. The video, directed by Dibya Banerjee, features models Larissa D'Sa and Nakul Roshan Sahdev. 

Filmed in Goa, it has that cutting edge, glam-Bollywood look with an overdose of steaminess, smoke and pointed revolvers. Surprise prize for anybody who figures out what it's all about.

Ankur Tewari/ Shehzaada Shehzaadi

Label: Snafu Records

Rating: ***

It's a world of multicolour butterflies, heart-shaped clouds and winged horses as popular indie artiste Ankur Tewari takes you to Fantasyland in his latest animated video for 'Shehzaada Shehzaadi'. Though such videos have become a fad, director Sheetal Sudhir keeps it simple and sweet.

Musically, it's a melodious number, with the lines "Yeh pal hamara hai, zamana hamara hai" on repeat during the climax. Sidd Coutto is on drums and backing vocals though the clear highlight is the harmonica solo by Vikas Karandikar.

The use of the names Shehzaada and Shehzaadi lend a fairytale touch. The younger lot is the clear target audience.