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


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Surel & Lyla/ If I Die Today

Label: Malo

Rating: *** 1/2

After releasing the song 'Pomegranate Lips' late last year, singer-lyricist Lyla and composer Surel Ingale are back with 'If I Die Today'.

Helped by a brass-heavy sound and lush keyboards, the song has a raw jazz vibe. Lyla sings, "If I die today, will the sun still rise, will the music still play, will the moon still shine?"

The video by Akshita Agarwal begins with streetside and market shots, before going to seaside rocks. Mihir Patel's cinematography brings out the song's mood well. It's a tune thar impresses with its raw nature.

Nida with Derric D'Souza/ Glimpses

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

On her new song 'Glimpses', Pune singer-songwriter Nida Siddiqui begins, "I almost parked my bike next to yours, I almost stopped to say I could not have been here if it wasn't for you".

The title track of her forthcoming EP Glimpses, the song captures the feeling of losing friends and hoping to get glimpses of them again. "Will I see you never or will I get glimpses again?" she asks at the end.

The song has a pleasant, waltzy tune, and Derric D'Souza's arrangements make good use of strings and acoustic guitars. Nida's singing us heartfelt, and the song is something young people will identify with.

Divyam Sodhi & Khwaab/ Kaise Ho Tum 

Label: Day One/ Sony Music 

Rating: *** 

After songs like 'Piya' and 'Kaise Kahoon', the team of singer Divyam Sodhi and co-composer Khwaab get together on 'Kaise Ho Tum'. The charm in their songs lies in their simplicity, which makes them relatable to listeners.

Lyricist Likhari writes, "Fikr teri karte hain hum, kaise ho tum". Naturally these are the feelings of a man who simply asks the person he loves if everything is okay.

An acoustic guitar sound adds to the song's effect. The video, directed by Devansh Ahuja, shows Divyam and Khwaab presenting the song. Nothing out-of-the-box, but makes an impact.

Paras Nath/ Winds Of Celebration 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

One of the most prolific flautists on the scene, Paras Nath teams up with a talented set comprising pianist Santosh Mulekar, drummer Darshan Doshi, bassist Ralph Menezes and Naveen Sharma on tabla.

'Winds Of Celebration' uses a Bhumpalasi riff as the motif and while the bansuri is the driving force, the other musicians improvise spontaneously.

It's a melodic track and the main theme sticks to the ear. Needless to say, there's plenty of virtuosity here, and that comes across in the live video.

Ratika Johri & Anup Jalota/ Dekho Mori Preet

Label,: Saregama Bhakti

Rating: ***

Ratika Johri, daughter of lyricist Raajesh Johri, has teamed up with bhajan maestro Anup Jalota on the Krishna bhajan 'Dekho Mori Preet'.

The song has been written as a conversation between Krishna and Radha when he leaves Vrindavan and asks her to keep his bansuri as a memento.

Lyrics have been written by Archana Johri and music has been designed by L Nitesh Kumar. Raj Gill's video blends shots of the singers with images of Radha and Krishna. The song has a serene quality that's admirable.




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