Naren's indie round-up/ Jan 2024, Ep 1

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Anirudh Varma Collective/ Dekho Sakhi

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Delhi-based Anirudh Varma Collective is known for its wonderful amalgamation of Hindustani classical raags with contemporary arrangements. On their latest 'Dekho Sakhi', they use raag Tilak Kamod.

Spearheaded by composer Anirudh on keyboards, the song features Prateek Narsimha on vocals and Rohan Prasanna on sarod, besides tabla, drums, guitars and bass. It uses traditional lyrics by late Bhupendra Krishna Chatterjee - "Dekho sakhi Shyam nithur nahin maanat, karat tithori Kanha rokat maga chalat".

Saubhagya Saxena's video sees the Collective boating on the river banks, and the visuals match the spiritual and serene nature of the composition.

Malvica Chopra feat. Pranav Nigam/ Ahilya

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

A disciple of classical maestro Pt Nayan Ghosh, sitar player Malvica Chopra has released her instrumental piece 'Ahilya'. It's an easy-listening composition based on raag Alhaiya Bilawal, and is suited for relaxation.

Malvica is joined on piano by Delhi artiste Pranav Nigam, and the two combine well. At four minutes and 43 seconds, the tune flows smoothly, creating a mood of calmness. Subtle alterations in tempo add to the effect.

Raag/ Jaana

Label: Self-released

Rating: ***

Chirag Mayank Mehta, who goes by the name Raag, had earlier released the track 'Nai Jeena'. His latest 'Jaana' is a vibrant Punjabi song.

Though the composition and lyrics are routine, the tune has a lilt that makes it ideal for the dance floor. "This is Raag music", he announces before singing lines like, "Jaana Jaana, zindagi che aa jaana, Jaana Jaana tu kinni soniya".

The 'Jaana Jaana' climax has a nice club vibe - maybe it could have been extended a bit for better effect.

Raktim Parashar/ Tongsing Hangsing

Presented by: Plantsman Underground 

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer-songwriter Raktim Parashar's new song is a call for peace and restoration of normalcy in Manipur. It is titled 'Tongsing Hangsing' in memory of the seven-year-old boy who was killed along his mother and female neighbour in violence that erupted last June.

Raktim uses simple guitar and harmonica while expressing his thoughts. The words are, "We are one people under the same sun, must rise above, make love fill our heart; Brother won't you pray for peace, brother won't you pray for peace; only peace can cheer mother's heart". 

The last line "We must not let this hatred reign" captures the song's message perfectly.

Anuj Gurwara & Gopika Jairam/ Song Of The Kohinoors

From the documentary Other Kohinoors

Rating: ****

The last piece in this week's blog is the theme song from Uma Magal's documentary Other Kohinoors, which talks of the rocks of Hyderabad and the role they play in giving a distinct aesthetic identity to the city.

'Song Of The Kohinoors' comes in the form of a rap number sung by Anuj Gurwara and Gopika Jairam. It is composed by Murthovic, along with Gopika Jairam and Abi Jacob. The lyrics, in English, Telugu and Dakhni, are written by Usha Raman and Uma Magal. They are a celebration of what rocks mean to Hyderabad, while also lamenting the massive loss of rocks. The English lines are, "Studded, embedded, come to the city and you will see it's studded and embedded with jewels as precious as the Kohinoor" and "This is Hyderabad, rocky Hyderabad, rock solid, city of rocks". An apt ode to the city.




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