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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Vipul Panchal/ School Ki Yaaadein

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Vipul Panchal, frontman of the group Folk Masti, gets into solo mode in the song 'School Ki Yaadein'. From the title, it's obvious what the song is all about.

"Yaaron woh school ki yaadein, woh bachpan ki baatein na hongi kabhi purani", he sings, as he shares memories of the wake-up alarm, a mother getting her son ready, the uniform and lazy Sundays.

The orchestration has been wonderfully done with Ankit Rathore on mouth organ, Siddharth Iyer on violin and Britto Khangchian on bass. The whole thing takes you back to your childhood.

Manisha Chakravarty/ Roothe Saiyaan 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Thumri-styled vocals blend with a pop sound on 'Roothe Saiyaan', composed, written and sung by Manisha Chakravarty. The song is about yearning and desire.

The opening lines are, "Roothe saiyaan ko kaise manaaye re, bairi saawan beeto jaaye re, kaari kaari megha chaaye re, bairi saawan beeto jaaye re". Producer Moin uses synths and beats to give it a club vibe.

The video, directed by Noor Khan, has Manisha in different costumes. It's a routine video but goes with the song.

Kiran/ Take Sweet, Talk Sweet, Be Sweet

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer-songwriter Kiran Holkar's new song 'Take Sweet, Talk Sweet, Be Sweet' is a good mix of western pop and an Indian look. In the video, with creative direction by Sunit Holkar and camerawork led by Tushar Bhandare, Kiran wears a Mahahrastrian-style saree and dances in the fields.

The lyrics have lines like, "Can you stop hushing, hushing, adrenaline rushing, rushing, on the way you're brushing, brushing, and now you are hushing hushing". 

The vocals have influences of jazz and rhythm n' blues, and the upbeat rhythm makes the number catchy.

Prakash Sontakke/ Forgotten 54

Label: Karmik Records

Rating: *** 

We will end this week's reviews with two instrumental tracks. 'Forgotten 54' is composed by Bengaluru-based Prakash Sontakke in memory of 54 Indian soldiers missing in Pakistan during the 1971 war.

The slide guitar is used as the main instrument and there is a clear influence of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour in the style, though the tune is original. Beginning and ending with a distorted voice, it's a wonderful piece just over two minutes long. Best heard on headphones.

Omkar Salunkhe/ Land Of Maasai

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

After releasing 'Cuba Groovin' four years ago, percussionist Omkar Salunkhe travels to East Africa on his latest tune. 'Land Of Maasai' is specially dedicated to the Maasai tribe.

Omkar was inspired to write this piece after seeing the photographs of indigenous tribes by UK lensman Jimmy Nelson. He uses rustic percussion elements, earthy chants and cinematic textures.

The sound is a good mix of traditional and contemporary, and Omkar is accompanied by Avadhoot Phadke and Prathamesh Kandalkar. Over four minutes, they burst with raw energy.





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