Naren's indie round-up/ May 2023, Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Baiju Mangeshkar/ Jheeni Jheeni Beeni Chadariya

Label: Saregama India

Rating; ****

In his recent album Man Mast Kabira, singer Baiju Mangeshkar has explored the works of Sant Kabir. One of the choices is the timeless Nirgun bhajan 'Jheeni Jheeni Beeni Chadariya'.

Though the song has been rendered by numerous artistes from Kumar Gandharva and Pandit Jasraj to Anup Jalota and a variant by Indian Ocean, Baiju's voice has a certain pleasantness that makes his presentation endearing.

The song compares the making of a human frame to the way an artisan weaves his wrap. Chintoo Singh's guitar, Tapas Das's acoustic rhythm guitar and Writam Changkakoti's keyboards blend with Baiju's voice. The album also has popular Kabir works like 'Moko Kahaan Dhoonde Bande' and 'Ud Jaayega Hans Akela'.

Kavita Seth/ Uski Awaaz

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Singer Kavita Seth was recently in the news for winning the Filmfare best female playback singer for 'Rangisaari', from the film Jugjugg Jeeyo. She's now sung 'Uski Awaaz', a nazm penned by Shamim Zehra, a retired SAS officer from Bhopal.

Shamim writes about the voices she's admired. The words are, "Subah ki taazgi ke saath hawa, jaise kaliyon ke paas aati hai, uski awaaz aise aati hai".

While Kavita's singing is expressive, she's accompanied by melodic santoor and bansuri. Wish the musicians had been credited, though. 

Ashwin Srinivasan & Yogesh Rairikar/ Dil Ko Koi

Label: Self-released 

Rating; ****

Over the past few months, singer Ashwin Srinivasan has released tributes to R.D. Burman with the songs 'Ae Zindagi' and 'Chupke Se Raat'. On 'Dil Ko Koi', he teams up with composer Yogesh Rairikar.

The song not only acts as a tribute to 'Panchamda' but also to Kishore Kumar, as Aahwin's singing style is inspired by the playback genius. Co-written by him and Rairikar, the words begin, "Dil ko koi gham, hota nahin ab, sab be-asar hai, karta na koi fikar".

Vidit Mithilesh Patankar shoots the video mostly in the studio. A photo-frame of R.D. Burman is used appropriately.

Tapas/ Chahat

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Hindi-rock band Tapas have released some wonderful tracks like 'Udaan', 'Gaihaan' and -'Azadiyaan'. The latest song 'Chahat' is a love ballad that sees them in good form again.

Vocalist Ninad Bhat has a neat style, as he sings, "Chaahat hai meri tu, o jaane jaan; Ab toh rehna tu, saath sada". Guitarist Akshay Redekar and bassist Nikhil Nair are tight.

The song picks up beautifully and impresses with its simplicity. The lyrical video highlights the words.

Aarifah/ Anyway

Label: Self-released

Rating: ***

Nexa Music 2019 finalist Aarifah released her single 'Now She Knows' last year, before appearing in Kanishk Seth's Hindi song 'Jahaan Pe Hai Dil' earlier this year. Her latest song is a bittersweet ballad named 'Anyway'.

Co-produced by Zain Calcuttawala, it's been described by Aarifah as a song which describes uncertainty with a tinge of hope. It has the lines, "Nothing matters at the end of my day, every single detail had its part to play in meeting you" before using a narrative style to express one's emotions.

Musically, the subtle piano backdrop (Arnob Bahl) and striking rhythms back the vocals, and the tempo changes are done smartly.





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