Naren's indie round-up - Dec 2021, Ep 5

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Stebin Ben/ Mohabbat Hai

Label: VYRL Originals 

Rating: ** 1/2 

After starring in the music video of 'Baarish Ban Jaana', popular TV actors Shaheer Sheikh and Hina Khan get together on Mohit Suri's 'Mohabbat Hai'. They play three generations of romantic lovers, though the script doesn't make much sense.

The song has been composed by Jeet Gannguli. Singer Stebin Ben, who has been doing some good stuff of late, starts off well but the song gets monotonous. 

Lyricist Kunaal Verma writes, "Dil ki baaton ko dil sun lega, tum yeh kaho na kaho". The song's attraction is the presence of the two stars, but on its own, it's very average.

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Ankit Tiwari/ Ishq Faqeeri

Label: Warner Music India

Rating: ** 1/2

After film hits like 'Sunn Raha Hai' in Aashiqui 2 and 'Galiyan' in Ek Villain, singer Ankit Tiwari has had a steady stream of songs. He has now released the single 'Ishq Faqeeri', a simple love song.

Shabir Ahmed comes up with interesting lines like "Tu dua tu yakeen tu mera dharam tu hai mere ishq ka bharam". However, the composition seems rather routine - it sounds good while you hear it but doesn't stick beyond a point.

The video interchanges band performance shots with clips of a couple, played by Ashish Bisht and Natasha Singh. Again, it's nice, but doesn't rise above the ordinary.

Prashant The Rapper/ Akshar

Label: Self-released

Rating; *** 1/2

Prashant Pareek, who goes by the name Prashant The Rapper, hails from Chattisgarh and has been on the scene for three years. After releasing 'Tu Mere Warga' and 'Kya Hua' earlier this year, he comes out with 'Akshar'.

Prashant has an interesting subject, as he talks of a passion for writing and the power of words. "Likhne baithoon akshar karein baatein, yeh akshar mujhe aksar samjhaate, ek din goonjenge yeh laakhon ki zubaan pe, jab bhi likhne baithoon, likhne baithoon, likhne baithoon".

The production by Guy Beats is just right, letting the words have their say. Unlike some of the songs one hears from much-hyped celebrity desi rappers, this one makes you think.

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Shitalchandra Kulkarni/ Ice Hockey 

Label: Self-released

Rating: *** 1/2

Pune-based rock guitarist Shitalchandra Kulkarni has consistently released some breathtaking instrumentals. His song 'Crank It Up' got a nod at this year's InterContinental Music Awards given by a Los Angeles-based contest promoter.

As its title suggests, his latest tune 'Ice Hockey' is a racy ride. With a rollicking percussion back-up, the five-mimute piece keeps your feet tapping, blending virtuosity with melody. 

After being with the band Tungztn, Shitalchandra has embarked on a solo career, doing all the production himself. The results are neat.

Malancha Chakraborty/ Waiting

Label: Self-released

Rating: ***

Singer Malancha Chakraborty shows good vocal calibre and expression on Soumya Das Gupta composition 'Waiting'. On the one hand, the song could pass off as the expression of a woman waiting for her loved one. But on the other, it's relevant in the post-pandemic era, as it could mean the wait for better times.

Soumya's lyrics are simple, with lines like "Waiting for a world that true, waiting, and it's been some time". The arrangements highlight the guitar, keyboards and strings. Samrat Gupta's video, produced by Mantra 5, focuses on Malancha and goes with the song's mood.