Naren's indie round-up/ Feb 2025, Ep.2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Rahul U/ Paisa Kamao

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Here's a hip-hop number with a sense of humour, and a super-cool video to match. On 'Paisa Kamao', Rahul U. sings about the obsession of many people - to make money.

The video, conceptualised by Devang Nagarkar, has a large team of actors. It's a fun film with fast-changing frames and a range of facial expressions.

The words are on target, as Rahul writes, "Maut toh aani hai, sab kuch le jaani hai, kya kya bachaayega paisa ya khaal" and "Bina rokde ka hota nahin kuch yahaan sab bole aas paas paise kamao". Sung in a rap style, they create an impact.

Sarthak Bhardwaj/ Preet

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 

Known for the songs 'Mehar' and 'Jaane Na De', 22-year-old Dehradun singer Sarthak Bhardwaj is now out with his new single 'Preet'. Produced by TrapGuru, it's a song about a man's yearning for love.

Lyricist Ayushi Vaswani comes up with lines like, "Chanda jaiha sona mukhda, akhiyaan kaare bin hi surma" and "Aisi mulaqaatein ho, dil ki thodi baatein ho, in taaron ki mehfil mein ek tera saath hi ho".

Sarthak has a young voice and shows strong currents of emotion. For his age, there's a certain maturity too. The guitar backing adds to his expression.

Papon/ Sadma

Label: Sufiscore 

Rating: ***

Penned by Pakistani poet Qateel Shifai, the ghazal 'Sadma Toh Hai Mujhe Bhi' was recorded by Jagjit Singh in the 1980 album A Milestone. Singer Papon now pays tribute to the ghazal maestro with a cover version.

On its own, Papon's rendition is heartfelt, using fresh arrangements by Kalyan Baruah, who also plays guitar. His timbre and style suit the song. Yet, for those accustomed to Jagjit's original and his voice texture, this may feel a bit underwhelming.

Interestingly, Papon uses a sher that wasn't in the Jagjit rendition. It goes, "Pahuncha jo tere dar pe toh mehsoos yeh hua, lambi si ik qataar mein jaise khada hoon mein". That's a welcome value-addition.

Raya/ Baawra

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Shillong-born, Delhi-based singer-songwriter Raya has a certain sweetness in her voice which makes it suitable for love songs. Her new single 'Baawra' talks of the entire feeling of falling in love.

Here, she sings, "Aise tu mujhse yoon pooche ki kahaan hai mera dil phir se laapata, kaise tujhse kahoon main tu hi hai wajaah dil ke kho jaane ka". The composition has a pleasing lilt that sticks on as an earworm.

Equally refreshing is the video, directed by Krishna Mohan. Actors Lokendra Rajawat and Priyanka Rane show a good chemistry, and the narrative is a love story well told.

Teemeer/ Waiting For You

Label: Songdew

Rating: *** 1/2

Popular rock vocalist and guitarist Teemeer Chimulkar is known for his work in the bands Cirkle and Sceptre, which has metamorphosed into Sceptr3. He's now out with his solo number 'Waiting For You'.

It's a guitar-driven power ballad with simple lines like "I've been waiting for you, I've been waiting for someone like you." The song has been written and set to tune by Teemeer himself, with Aabhaas Tomar recording, mixing and mastering it.

It's a song one can play at home, a pub or on a long drive, with lyrics that are easy to pick up.


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