Naren's indie round-up/ March 2023, Ep 4

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Daku/ Tu Mera Ghar

Label: Sony Music 

Rating: *** 1/2

This is an interesting song that talks of the bond between mother and daughter. Written, composed and sung by Darshan Kataria aka Daku, 'Tu Mera Ghar' has a simple, hummable melody.

The words are, "Tu mera ghar hai, tu meri chhaon, mera ab sab kuchh, tere naam; Tu mera rab hai, tu hai shyam, mera ab sab kuchh, tere naam". The song also talks of the importance of being selfless. Hasmukh Belani's flute floats around like a butterfly.

The animated video, directed by Aariz Saiyed, has a smooth narrative that matches the words. All in all, this song has a feelgood quality that's welcome.

Pratibha Singh Baghel & Deepak Pandit with Budapest Symphony Orchestra/ Mere Hamnafas

Label: Sufiscore

Rating: *** 1/2

The famous ghazal 'Mere Humnafas Mere Humnawa', written by Shakeel Badayuni, has been sung by many artistes, foremost being Begum Akhtar and Farida Khanum. What's different about Pratibha Singh Baghel's rendition is that it has a symphonic arrangement, played by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kalman Szennai.

Produced by Deepak Pandit, this begins with a flute by Paras Nath, who sounds marvellous. Pratibha sticks to the known tune and nuances, with the string section, French horn and piano giving it a fresh flavour.

To keep it at seven and a half minutes, a couple of verses have not been used. The emphasis was perhaps to have a longer intro, but maybe the makta (last couplet) should have been added. 

Ankur Tewari/ Aaja Nindiya

Label; Tiger Baby Records

Rating: ***

Singer-somgwriter Ankur Tewari's new EP Aaja Nindiya is themed around lullabies. This is the debut venture of Tiger Baby Records, formed by Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti and Ankur.

The title song is already out, and the rest of the EP is due on March 24. It begins with the simple line, "Khwabon mein the hum kal jahaan, le chal mujhe phir se wahaan".

The tune is simple, and easy to be sung by children. Aria Nanji's backing vocals go well with Ankur's voice, with producer Sid Shirodkar joining the team. The tumbi, marimba and celeste provide a different arrangement.

Nimrat Khaira/ Raanjha

Label: Punj-aab Records/ Spotify

Rating: ***

Batala-born singer Nimrat Khaira has been pretty active on the Punjabi scene for eight years, and is known for her tracks 'Ishq Kacheri' and 'Suit'. 

Her latest 'Raanjha' has been released as part of the Spotify Singles series. It's a traditional folk song, and Nimrat's voice goes well with the melodious tune. However, it seems too short at two minutes and 23 seconds.

Two other songs have been released as part pf the series - 'Challa' by Diljith Dosanjh and Gurdas Mann, and 'Mann Punjabi' by Tarsem Jasser. Good for Punjabi music followers.

Shabnam Virmani/ Tu Jhoom

Produced by: Rajasthan Kabir Festival

Rating: ****

The song 'Tu Jhoom', composed by Adnan Dhool, was featured in Pakistan's Coke Studio with vocalists Naseebo Lal and Abida Parveen interacting. Here, Shabnam Virmani has been doing a wonderful adaptation, as one saw at the Mahindra Roots Festival in Mumbai last month.

We now have a YouTube recording of her performing the song at the Rajasthan Kabir Festival at Phalasiya near Udaipur in October 2022. Accompanied by Gopal Singh Chauhan on manjira, she renders a heartfelt version.

The live performance shows shots of the audience cast in a spell. It's that kind of song.