Naren's indie round-up/ Jan 2025, Ep 1

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Joy Sengupta & Kinjal Chatterjee/ Tasveer

Label: Merchant Records 

Rating: *** 1/2

Composed by Joy Sengupta and sung by Kinjal Chatterjee, 'Tasveer' is about the pain and memories of separation. The tune's effect is enhanced by the orchestral flavour.

A highlight is Nandini Chaudhury's writing, using poetic expression and impactful words. Examples are the lines, "Saazish karein chanda taarein kyon, alfaaz hai zubaan ki zanjeer kyun?" and "Jal jaaye har khwahishen, par na ho khatm ishq ki yeh bandagi".

Pooja Relan's video blends live performance shots with a storyline featuring the couple played by Husne Shabnam and Akshat Sharma. It's got some stylish choreography done by Akshat himself, with body paint adding a fresh shade. 

Prajakta Koli & Outsky/ Saanvare

Digitally powered by: One Digital Entertainment 

Rating: ***

To promote her new book Too Good To Be True, author, actress and singer Prajakta Koli has come up with an interesting concept. She has released the song and music video 'Saanvare' to go with the release. 

The song features Mumbai-based artiste Outsky, who has composed and sung most of the song in his husky voice. Prajakta appears on some lines, singing, "Khwaabon ki bazaar mein tera hi toh naam tha, yoon pukaar loon tujhe toh khwaabon ka wajood kya?"

The video has been directed by Rahul Datta for Starving Artist Films. We'll now wait to read the book.

Apurva Kedia/ Kitni Haseen Hai Zindagi 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Originally from Ranchi, Mumbai-settled Apurva Kedia has earlier released the songs 'Kusum' and 'Chal'. Her new release 'Kitni Haseen Hai Zindagi' lives up to its title, as it talks of celebrating life.

"Pal mein dikhti nahin, chalti jaise nadi, kitni haseen hai zindagi, lag ja gale se tu, ae zindagi", the song begins. Apurva has a pleasant vocal texture, with Kabeer Singh's guitar and strong production (Harsh Karmakar and Apurva) creating a rich layer.

The song is part of Apurva's forthcoming EP Love Loss and Life. The video talks of the simple things of life - strolls on the beach, see-saw rides, strumming of a guitar. There's a feel-good vibe that's welcome.

Neel Rupareliya & Vinun Kaushal/ Jee Lee

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Also on a positive note is the new release 'Jee Le', composed and produced by Neel Rupareliya and sung by Vinum Kaushal. The tune blends elements of raag Pilu with a waltz rhythm.

The main line is, "Jee le tere palon ko, jee le tere sapnon ko, bhool ja tu kal ki baat". Mayank Saini's guitar and Aditya Bhavsar's tabla mingle with the arrangement.

The video is mostly shot in the studio, with some clear close-ups of instrument-playing. Black n' white shots of people on a swing suddenly jump in symbolically, though only briefly.

Ankit Dayal/ Deeper Than Indigo

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

On his new song 'Deeper Than Indigo', Ankit Dayal begins, "You light up every room, how gorgeous, how uncontainable; your smile and every move, is perfect and so are you".

Later, he goes on to talk about fearlessness, fulfilling one's potential and getting "tougher when the road is tough". Against a slightly offbeat orchestration back-up, the song flows smoothly.

The video, by Ankit and Likla Lall, uses different shades of blue. It starts off with a vibrant look but gets repetitive with similar shots.


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