Naren's indie round-up/ Feb 2023 Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Burrah & Jasneet Royal/ Udja

Label: Coke Studio Bharat/ Universal

Rating: **

The much-hyped Coke Studio Bharat song 'Udja' is all about two singers and a few others trying to do different things and yet find a common path. The end result is as confusing as a biology question sheet in an accountancy exam.

Burrah sings Punjabi in a firang accent, and Jasleen Royal suddenly comes up with a line, "Tuiyyan tuiyyan badaliyaan chatati jaati re". A keyboardist dances, dhol players show off colourful costumes and drums and three back-up singing ladies raise their hands like Abida Parveen.

The only thing that sticks in this composition by OAFF and Savera is the main line "Udja re manwa udja". Maybe they should have just taken that line and played it on loop with a techno effect thrown in. 

The makers claim this is one of 10 'memorable' songs due in the series. Good to know songs become memorable before release. They also talk of celebrating the roots of Bharat. Hope to see that in the next release, instead of some directionless mish-mash.

Taraana/ The Land Of Spice

Label: Decca/ Verve

Rating: *****

Fusion duo Taraana, comprising violinist sisters Ragini and Nandini Shankar, team up beautifully and effortlessly on 'The Land Of Spice'. A charming melody line and loads of energy are the assets of this track.

Co-composed by Mahesh Raghvan, the tune begins with mridangam and konnakol by Akshay Anantapadmanabhan. The sisters then alternate duet-playing with solo parts, and Rhythm Shaw's flamenco guitar solo lends a twist. The video captures various areas in Mumbai.

Ragini and Nandini are grand-daughters of the great violinist N. Rajam and daughters of the brilliant Sangeeta Shankar. One looks forward to more from Taraana.

Rahul Makhija/ Dastaan

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Mumbai singer-songwriter Rahul Makhija brings out a very 1990s Indipop flavour in 'Dastaan', a song which he says is about his "journey of loss". Dedicated to someone who passed away, the song alternates Hindi and English lines smoothly.

The opening lines are, "Thinking about you since Tuesday, Didn't know who to call, tu mere aas paas nahin". The chorus ends, "Likhi hai yeh dastaan, tumhari aur meri".

Rahul has a pleasant voice, and one senses influences of Lesle Lewis and Lucky Ali in his singing. Even the bilingual format is reminiscent of the Colonial Cousins. But forget all that - on its own, the song works.

Ashwin Srinivasan feat. Mahalakshmi Iyer/ Chupke Se Raat

Label: Atharv Music

Rating: *** 1/2

There have been quite a few attempts to compose new songs in R.D. Burman's style, and release them as tributes. The latest, 'Chupke Se Raat', is composed by Ashwin Srinivasan, with Mahalakshmi Iyer on vocals.

Lyricist Vaibhav Joshi shows a Gulzar influence on the lines "Chupke se raat chale, chupke se jism jale, haule haule tay kare rooh ke faasle".

The song has been well-constructed, and acts as an appropriate tribute to Burman. Mahalakshmi's singing is soulful, doing complete justice to the tune and words.

Aanchal Bordoloi feat. Sanketh/ Void

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Hailing from Assam, Bengaluru-based singer Aanchal Bordoloi has a powerful voice, with just the right emotion thrown in. Her style is essentially guitar-driven folk.

After the wonderful 'Whiskey Blues' last year, she now releases 'Void'. She showcases her higher-register range on this song, which has lines like, "Love holds no meaning here, an emptiness that I fear".

Sanketh joins on guitar. The video, directed by Mehak Matharu and starring Sneha Gogoi (in picture) and Ajar Srivastava, goes with the song's narrative. It's suited for some long drive blues.