Naren's indie round-up/ Sep 2023, Ep 3

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Classicool by Purbayan Chatterjee/ Bhairavi

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

The brainchild of sitar exponent Purbayan Chatterjee, Classicool takes traditional compositions but gives them a contemporary flavour. Thus we have an ensemble comprising him and Megha Rawoot on sitar, Sangeet Haldipur on keyboards, Nastya Saraswati on violin, Ojas Adhiya on tabla and Shikhar Naad Qureshi on percussion.

'Bhairavi' is a video from their self-titled EP, released recently. The popular classical raag is played in a 10-minute rendition using the dadra rhythmic pattern. After a slow introduction, the piece builds up, increasing the energy with the introduction of see-tar, before returning to a thumri composition. It's a melodic piece played with virtuosity.

Ronkini Gupta/ Bohot Pehle Se

Label: Music Today

Rating: ***

The brilliant classical vocalist Ronkini Gupta has done her share of light numbers in the films Tumhari Sulu and Taali and the series Mukhbir, besides some ghazals.

Her latest song 'Bohot Pehle Se' is a ghazal penned by Firaaq. The opening lines are, "Bohot pehle se un kadmon ki aahat jaan lete hain, tujhe ae zindagi hum door se pehchaan lete hain".

The music is by Sanatan Deep who uses a pleasant keyboard line. It's a short ghazal which has a welcome simplicity.

Ali Naveed/ Ijazat

Label: T-Series

Rating: ***

Dubai-based youngster Ali Naveed makes his debut with 'Ijazat' on the T-Series label. An interesting thing is that the music is by Syed Imran Momina of popular Pakistani band Fuzon.

It's a pop-rock song with the lines, "Ijazat mujhe tujhe bulaane ki chahiye, mujhe sataane ke liye, rulaane ke liye, bahaane jo kiye, mujhse Ijazat mujhe, ijazat".

Though it's a routine song with a familiar riff, it strikes a chord with youngsters. The video, directed by Hina Sahar and featuring Amma Abbas, is also cute but hackneyed.

Nishant Singh feat. Utkarsh Sharma & Rupali Moghe/ Un Dinon

Label: Suno!

Rating: ****

The highlight of 'Un Dino', written and composed by Nishant Singh, lies in its video concept. Directed by Om Singh, it alternates  lyrical footage of the song with spoken bytes of people who narrate past experience.

The tune, sung by Utkarsh Sharma and Rupali Moghe, has a wonderful melody line. It talks of emotions and situations like love, separation, self-obsession and acceptance.

The song ends with, "Bas yoon hi chalte jaana hai, in dinon". The keyboard backdrop complements the mood.

Eashwar Subramanian/ Ambient Silence (EP)

Label: Ambistream Recotds

Rating: ***

Bengaluru-based Eashwar Subramanian has been doing some prolific work in the ambient and new age space. His latest EP Ambient Silence has five tracks, spread over 16 minutes.

The opening piece 'Paradiso' is just the kind that will make you chill. It builds up beautifully, with smooth progression, and smart use of soundscapes through keyboard effects.

The other four tracks - 'Sargam', 'Lotus Feet', 'Portal To The Heavens' and 'Adrift In The Clouds' - have some melodic moments. Like his previous work, this one's relaxing and refreshing.