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


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Salim-Sulaiman feat. Shankar Mahadevan/ Shringaar 

Label: Salim-Sulaiman Music

Rating: **** 1/2

Salim, Sulaiman and Shankar Mahedevan are joined by top musicians on this heartfelt tribute to tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. 'Shringaar' is a track from the Salim-Sulaiman project Bhoomi 2025, and even features voice and video clips of Zakir. "Without love, without music, without harmony, we are nothing," he says. How true.

The prolific Shraddha Pandit writes the lyrics which begin, "Kaahe kare shringaar sajaniya, jaga tope jaaye vaar sajaniya, sab se sundar naar sajaniya, kaahe kare shringaar sajaniya". Shankar's voice flows smoothly and effortlessly.

While the composition and lyrics have traditional flavours, the orchestration uses modern elements. The musicians include Salim on piano and synth, Sulaiman on Zen drums, Raj Purohit on keyboards, Purbayan Chatterjee on sitar, Rhythm Shaw on guitar, Ralph Menezes on bass, Ojas Adhiya on tabla and Darshan Doshi on drums. Prithvi Gandharv provides additional vocals.

The video captures the musicians performing live, with the Zakir images appearing at the start, middle and end. Coming from musicians who have worked closely with him, it's a perfect homage.

Jashan Bhumkar/ Megh Malhar - Baadal Ghumad Ke Aaye Re 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Malhar has been a singer's favourite in the monsoon season. Now, vocalist Jashan Bhumkar comes up with a rendition of raag Megh Malhar  on 'Baadal Ghumad Ke Aaye Re'.

Co-composed by Amarabha Banerjee, the song blends traditional melodies with modern electronic flavours. The word "Baadal ghumad ke aaye re, pyaas dilon ki mit jaaye re" express the song's mood.

The piece may work well on a drive during the rains.

Raag Utsav feat. Samba/ Kalyani

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Vocalist Sambasivan Kailasam aka Samba has started this interesting series under the name Raag Utsav. The idea is simple. Each part focuses on a specific Carnatic raag and its Hindustani equivalent, and is presented in the form of a medley.

The new release is based on Kalyani, which is akin to Yaman. It begins with Papanasam Sivan's composition 'Unnaiyallal Vere Gati Illai Amma', and moves to 'Sindana Sei Maname', the G Ramanathan composition in the film Ambikapathi. It naturally flows into the Jaidev hit 'Abhi Na Jao Chhod Ke' from Hum Dono. Get the gist?

The 41-minute piece includes snippets from various Hindi and south Indian classics. We have Kalyanji-Anandji's 'Chandan Sa Badan' from Saraswatichandra and R.D. Burman's 'Beeti Na Beetayi Raina' from Parichay. The Ilaiyaraaja gems include 'Janani Janani' from Tihaai Mookambikai and 'Katril Varum Geethame' from Oru Naal Oru Kanavu.

Composed by Samba, the music has been arranged by Sangeet Thomas. It features keyboards, veena, sitar, flute, western and Carnatic violin, guitar, bass, tabla and mridangam, besides the Bangalore String Ensemble. The Hindi songs have a Carnatic flavour but retain the basic melody.

For those who want shorter extracts, Instagram reels have also been created. Before Kalyani. Raag Utsav has featured raags Mohanam, Sankarabharanam and Mayamalavagowlai. It'll be interesting to hear what raags follow next.

Tarang Joseph/ One Track Mind

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Tarang Joseph, a singer, pianist and songwriter from Bengaluru, had released his EP Liquid Sunshine last year. 'One Track Mind' is the first single from his forthcoming EP.

The sound is a blend of disco, funk and nu jazz, and one also senses an influence of Jamiroquai and Stevie Wonder. Here, the term is not used in the commonly known meaning, but refers to the trait of choosing one's own path and staying focused .

The lines are, "I'll be just fine, 'cos you know I got a one track mind". In a surprise, the song ends with an instrumental jazz-flavoured jam by the band. That's a nice twist.

Kimkid/ Hey Miss

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Kolkata-based singer-songwriter Arjun Mukherree, who goes by the name Kimkid, has released his latest single 'Hey Miss'. It's got a very retro sound that reminds you of songs from the Grease soundtrack.

The words are, "Hey Miss, you're my guiding soul, Hey Miss, you make me rock n' roll, Hey Miss, your eyes fill my heart, and I've got so much to tell". The vocal delivery is simple and effective.

The song has been produced by Deep C. The guitar solo adds charm.


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