Naren's indie round-up/ Sept 2022, Ep 2


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Shreya Ghoshal with Jatinder Shah/ Tere Bajjon

Label: VYRL Originals

Rating: ****

Over the past couple of years, Shreya Ghoshal has been regularly releasing non-film songs, including some in regional languages. The latest 'Tere Bajjon' is in Punjabi, and her singing is perfection personified.

Jatinder Shah's video starring Prateik Babbar and Simi Chahal has a Bollywood shaadi song hangover, with romance, melodrama and lavish sets. Jatinder has composed the music too.

Lyricist Kumaar writes, "Tere bajjon, bajjon ae, tere bajjon naina da kaam rona, jyaada jaggna te kat sona". Shreya's melodious voice and flawless diction take it to another plane.

Kalpana Gandharv/ Chaand Nikle

Promoted by: Bazm-e-Khas 

Rating: *** 1/2

One has heard many singers render versions of the classic 'Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo', popularised by Pakistani great Farida Khanum. Here, singer Kalpana Gandharv presents her lesser-covered gem 'Chaand Nikle'.

Words are by legendary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The matla is, "Chaand nikle kisi jaanib teri zebaai ka, rang badle kisi surat shab-e-tanhai ka". The live setting adds to the ambience.

Like her brother Prithvi Gandharv, Kalpana excels at versions of ghazal gems. Her take of Farida Khanum's 'Naina Re Naina' and 'Kuchh Ishq Tha Kuchh Majboori' have also been released from the Bazm-e-Khas archives. They're worth checking out.

Chirag Todi feat. Gauri and Aksha/ Paper Boats 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Here's an interesting collaboration between Ahmedabad-based composer-guitarist Chirag Todi and Mumbai duo Gauri and Aksha. In 'Paper Boats', the musicians talk about enjoying the finer things in life.

The song has an air of smoky bar-room jazz, with strings and horns adding to the effect. The lyrics begin, "Floating and wasting away to find the time, to ease my mind of all things tried".

Tushar Kejriwal's video is like an origami lesson on how to make paper boats. It's simple and different from the regular fare.

Pragnya Wakhlu/ Disconnect 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Singer Pragnya Wakhlu's new song 'Disconnect' is about how new technology has changed us. "I see these people around and suddenly I'm alone in the room with nothing but my IPhone", she sings.

The sound is a smooth blend of funk and rap, with Sonic Shori's bassline matching Pragnya's vocals. Guitarist Subhanshu Singh and drummer Kunal Netrapal complete the line-up.

The new track is a marked contrast to 'Whale Song', 'Song Of Hope', 'Fallin' and 'Understood But Never Knew' from her last album Lessons In Love. It's a welcome change.


Jamna Paar feat. Babita Chandel/ Two Faces

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Delhi-based musicians Gaurav Balani and Shashank Singhania have teamed up to form the electronica duo Jamna Paar. Vocalist Babita Chandel joins as a guest on 'Two Faces'.

The tune has a clubby sound with emphasis on rhythm. Shashank's flute merges well after a point, though the ending is too sudden, sort of leaving you hanging.

Jamna Paar is set to release an entire album next month. On board are guests like Aditi Singh Sharma, Apeksha Dandekar and Saptak Chatterjee. We're all ears.



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