Naren's indie round-up/ March 2022, Ep 1



BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Sonu Nigam/ Maula Re

Promoter: Artist Aloud 

Rating; ****

The song begins, "I'm nobody's child, I'm nobody's child, just like a flower, I'm growing wild". The transition to Hindi lyrics is smooth, as Sonu Nigam expresses the emotions of an orphan.

With a Sufiana hook and well-constructed overdubs, composer Amjad Nadeem keeps the tune simple, and yet changes the melody line effortlessly. Lyrics credits are shared by Shabbir Ahmed and Akashdeep.

Appearing solo in the video, S0onu packs in plenty of emotion, as he sings, "Yeh kismat ne dee hai hamein kaisi doori, na godi milee, na sunee maa ki lori". The song has a certain pathos, and creates an impact.

Anurag Mishra/ Khwaab

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

In his new song 'Khwaab', singer Anurag Mishra uses imagery-filled lines like, "Chehra, tera tha yahaan, mehtab jaisa kuch hi to tha, kal taaron ne bhi kaha, woh khwaab asal mein tu hi to tha". Part of his album Lifafe, it's a simple song about dreaming while in love.

Anurag has a pleasant voice, and the production and guitarwork of Hrishi Giridhar aid the composition. Bijoy Mukherji's video has been well-done. Featuring Ayushee Ghoshal and Vinay Vora, it has a narrative that goes with the words.

The song has a pleasantness vaguely reminiscent of KK's 'Pyaar Ke Pal'. One looks forward to the other songs in Lifafe.

Aishwarya Majumdar & Prithvi Gandharv/ Uzr Aane Bhi

Label: Sufiscore

Rating: ***

Poet Dagh Dehlvi's ghazal 'Uzr Aane Bhi' is known for the versions rendered by Begum Akhtar and Farida Khanum. Now, we have a fresh take sung by young singer Aishwarya Majumdar.

Prithvi Gandharv, himself a talented singer, has re-created the music but not sung this time. Aishwarya's voice and diction do justice to the poetry, specially on chaste phrases like 'bais-e-tarq-e-mulaqaat'.

Charit Desai's video, starring Aishwarya and Anuj Saini, has a lavish, palatial, heritage, Bhansali look. While it's well made, this kind of film is getting a bit formulaic in the ghazal and thumri fields these days, with Pratibha Singh Baghel and Mirande Shah also appearing in similar fare.

Rishaad/ Khafa

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ** 1/2

After releasing the English tracks 'For You' and 'Sad Reel' last year, Gurugram-based rapper Rishaad Chaudhry shifts to Hindi on 'Khafa'.

The song is about two people going through issues in their relationship, but expressing the need to come back together. "Tu waapas aaja, hum rahenge saath, kaash", he sings.

Though it's a simple song with pleasant arrangements, one feels it's a bit too goody-goody. A little more rawness may have been ideal.

Peekay & Andrea Tariang/ Sunshine On The Street

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Hyderabad-based singer Peekay and Shillong's Andrea Tariang dedicate their collaboration 'Sunshine On The Street' to friends, mainly those belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community.

The song has a 1990s dream-pop flavour, with a catchy hook that goes, "I am sunshine on the street, I got sunshine at my feet, I got sunshine inside of me, I am sunshine on the streets". The main voices complement each other, and the harmonies and Jonathan Edwards' production add to the effect.

The video, directed by Melvin Sam for Couch Potato Production, has a bright look. Both the film and the words make the song relatable.











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