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


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Prithvi Gandharv & Paras Nath/ Chamba

Label: Sufiscore 

Rating: ****

The Himachali folk tune 'Chamba' has been sung by various singers from Mohit Chauhan and Harshdeep Kaur to Armaan Malik and Jonita Gandhi. What sets this new version apart is the flute-dominated arrangements by Paras Nath.

Prithvi Gandharv once again sings beautifully, as he begins, "Maaye ni meriye, Shimla di raahein, Chamba kitni door". Santosh Mulekar's grand piano and Swaranjay Dhumal's percussions add to the charm.

And yes, there's the scenic video directed by Pratham Chourasiya and featuring Prithvi and Reena Aggarwal. It's a breath of fresh mountain air.

Sanjoy Das/ Kesariya

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Another tune that's been recorded often is the Rajasthani folk melody 'Kesariya'. Popular versions are by Mehdi Hassan, Mame Khan and by Karsan Sagathiya in Nagesh Kukunoor's film Dor. Now, we have an acoustic guitar version by Sanjoy Das.

Prolific on the studio and concert scene, Sanjoy's rendition has a lot of subtle beauty, as he pays tribute to Rajasthan's culture and traditions. The use of ambient effects lends a contemporary feel. The video shows the artiste playing and recording. The music can appeal to both folk fans and guitar enthusiasts, besides those looking for something serene.

Udit Narayan & Neeti Mohan/ Barson Ke Baad

Label: Zee Music Company 

Rating: ***

The extremely versatile Udit Narayan teams up with talented singer Neeti Mohan on 'Barson Ke Baad'. Music is by Shamir Tandon, who has recently done songs with Hariharan and Alka Yagnik, using a retro ghazal feel.

This song, written by Anurag Purohit, is a ballad with the lines "Barson ke baad mulaqat kal hui, aadhi adhuri jo bhi thi poori ghazal hui". Udit has a wonderful texture though one wonders why he tries to sound so over-expressive and filmy while singing the word 'mulaqat', like he's expecting Shah Rukh Khan to pop up from nowhere.

While Neeti provides good contrast, Manas Kumar's violin part is refreshing. The song takes you back to the 1990s, when industry folk dropped the name "popular Hindi music" when film singers did non-film songs but didn't want to be clubbed under Indipop.

Kavya Singh/ Kahaani 

Label: Self-released 

Rating; ***

After recording duets and contributing to the Anirudh Varma Collective, Delhi-based Kavya Singh makes her debut as a solo artiste with 'Kahaani'. While she has composed and sung the song, lyrics are by Amarjeet Syali.

The song is about heartbreak, and there's a tinge of pathos and nostalgia in the words. The opening lines are, "Beh jaayegi teri meri kahaani, chhoti si kashti dariya toofani", and Kavya brings out the right expression. 

The instrumentation uses keyboards and guitars prominently, with Nishant Nagar Khwaab's production deserving a clap.

Easy Riders/ Even When We're Gone

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

After putting out their live EP last year, Kolkata band Easy Riders are back with a limited-release single 'Even When We're Gone'. The group is inspired by jam bands like Grateful Dead and Phish, and thus you are assured of smoothly flowing guitar passages.

Easy Riders comprises composer-lyricist Sumit Bhattacharya on vocals and guitars, Saumyajit Dutta on bass and backing vocals, and Arka Das on drums. The words are hard-hitting on lines like, "And I know they will still be killing in the name of God, even when we're gone".

The news bulletin-type portions and stylish guitars are an attraction. All in all, four and a half minutes of jam-rock.




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