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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Ojas Adhiya & Alap Desai/ Tabla Symphony 

Label: Times Spiritual

Rating: *****

Over the years, there have been some noted instances where Indian classical music has been combined with western symphonic orchestration. Pt Ravi Shankar's two Sitar Concertos, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's Samaagam and tabla great Ustad Zakir Hussain's Peshkar are some examples. Now, tabla exponent Ojas Adhiya teams up with composer Alap Desai on Tabla Symphony.

It's a marvellous composition based on raag Mishra Kirwani and using different time signatures and mini-movements. While the tabla is the focus, there are some dazzling arrangements by the Chennai Strings, helped by Manas Kumar's solo violin and ID Rao's key-flute and clarinet. The sounds are layered in architectural fashion, and there's no shortage of sonic surprises.

The playing resonates melodic power and harmony, as Ojas shines on his passages and Alap's composition moves seamlessly. On YouTube, extra crackle is heard a couple of times during the opening minute of the seven-plus-minute piece (maybe that needs checking, as the sound is perfect on Spotify and JioSaavn). But overall, this is sheer brilliance through and through, in terms of  concept, composition and execution.

Aditi Paul/ Tum Aur Hum

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

In her recent songs 'Saanware' and 'Aabshaar', singer Aditi Paul displayed good voice technique and sense of melody. She continues her good form on 'Tum Aur Hum', which she's composed herself.

The song boasts of simple yet effective lyrics by Pinky Poonawala, who writes, "Tum aur hum, do boondon ki ek sargam, jab mile, sur bane, dil khile". Aided by Mayukh Sarkar's arrangements and neat guitar lines, the song grows on repeated hearing. The ending has been done amazingly, with its structured build-up.

Jayesh Vartak's video follows the formula of having the artiste sing live on mic against a dark backdrop. Some variety on that front would have lent another dimension to this wonderful song.

Arshad Ali Khan/ O Piyaa

Label: JSE Music

Rating; ****

Magnificent vocals by Arshad Ali Khan, classical-based composition by Som Chakraborty and outstanding shehnai by Hassan Haider Khan combine to make 'O Piyaa' a purist's delight.

Soham Majumdar's lyrics talk of loneliness through lines like "Saiyyan tere bina kuchh bhaaye na, saiyyan tere bina jiya laage na". Certain vocal parts are reminiscent of Pakistani band Fuzon, and Prabir Chatterjee's tabla and the vocal overdubs go perfectly with the sound.

The video, directed by Dibakar Ronnie Das, stars Bibriti Chatterjee and Rupam Das (in picture), and blends wedding scenes with shots of solitude. But in the end, the vocals and shehnai stand out.

Shalmali Kholgade ft Arifa Lahore/ Tore Bina

Promoted by: Lotus Visual Productions

Rating: ****

Composed by Arunash Bhatt and sung by Shalmali Kholgade, 'Tore Bina' tells the story of a transgender lawyer once rejected by the family. It's a touching tale, and the video is handled with sensitivity under Arunash's direction.

Arifa Lahore sings the English rap portion, and the back-up vocals have the lines, "Mamma don't close the door, mamma am I not yours?" Shalmali's vocals are clear and effective, and the bassline and guitars lend a different vibe.

Proceeds from this video will benefit the Tweet Foundation, which provides shelter to transgenders in Mumbai and Delhi. 

Sarthak Saksena/ Phase

Label: Self-released

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer-songwriter Sarthak Saksena effortlessly moves between English and Hindi on 'Phase', a bittersweet song that talks of a rollercoaster relationship.

Sarthak has a pleasant voice and natural expression, as is evident on the opening line "I know that times will be hard, it's just a phase that they say". The Hindi lines begin, "Piya main tere saath baadalon mein".

Kushal Soni's video has an appropriate storyboard, and models Aneri Vajani and Utkarsh Kohli (in picture) are natural and show good screen presence. The coordination between audio and video is just right.