Naren's indie round-up/ June 2026, Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Parikrama/ Inside My Skin 

Language & genre: English, hard rock

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Delhi rock band Parikrama has completed 35 years on the scene. To mark the occasion, they had a show at Delhi's Piano Man and also released their new single 'Inside My Skin'.

The song is very much in the hard rock mould, with vocalist Nitin Malik writing the lyrics. Guitarists Saurabh Chaudhury and Abhishek Mittal, keyboardist Subir Malik, bassist Gaurav Balani and drummer Srijan Mahajan contribute in good measure, with the middle guitar solo standing out.

The song has lines like, "Crash into me, and make me blind, make me believe I close my eyes". It has that live gig energy for sure.

Sharat Chandra Srivastava/ Bandhutva (album)

Language & genre: Instrumental, fusion

Label: Krintan Records

Rating: *** 1/2

After playing violin with Parikrama, Sharat Chandra Srivastava has been associated with the band Mrigya besides solo projects. He now releases his album Bandhutva, a follow-up to the 2021 record No Passport Control.

Three of the seven songs are repeats from the earlier set. Besides the title track, ffeaturing Slovenian-born singer Katja Koren, these are 'Sangam' and 'Inspired'. The other pieces have some intricate violinwork.

The album begins with the soothing 'Quiet Harbour', and gets into Middle Eastern/ north African mode on 'Sahara'. 'Grace' builds up beautifully, in Hindustani style, and 'Sonora Thirthana' has elements of smooth jazz, with well-constructed vocal passages.

Sharat's violin has a wonderful tone, and his playing has soul. Bandhutva is a decent listen, even if you've heard part of it before.

Ankur Tewari/ 1:15AM (After Hours)

Language & genre: Hindi, pop-rock 

Label: Misfits Inc

Rating: *** 1/2

With albums like Jannat and Akela, singer-songwriter Ankur Tewari has proved his consistency. He's now set to release his album Mr Faarigh in August, and the first single '1:15 AM (After Hours)' is out.

Spruced by a catchy hook and smooth guitars, the song is like a portrait to the Mumbai suburb Bandra late at night, comparing the commotion outside to the calm voice within. "Hum kho gaye, udd gaye, beqaabu, ho gaye", goes the main line, as Sharad Rao's guitar and Hashbass's bassline provide fizz.

And there's that video with superfast frame changes, directed and shot by Sachin S. Pillai. Very youthful and trippy.

Raj Grover feat. Mann Taneja/ Chal Kahin

Language & genre: Hindi, pop

Label: Self-released

Rating: ** 1/2

Everybody wants to fly. After Ankur Tewari's 'udd gaye' line in the previous song, we have Raj Grover and Mann Taneja singing "Chal kahin, udd chale, hawaaon mein kho jaaye, sitaaron ke peeche chale, sapnon mein hum mil jaaye".

Composed by Mann, 'Chal Kahin' has a catchy hook, but starts rather tentatively. The chorus has a singalong factor, though the singing elsewhere is erratic.

The video is rather routine, as Raj is joined by Kritika Chauhan. The trees, bicycles and plastic smiles remind you of the Rajshri movies. Some things never change.

Gauri Mishra/ Muntazir

Language & genre: Hindi, ghazal

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Singer Gauri Mishra comes up.with the nazm 'Muntazir', which she has written herself. Beginning with the line 'Waqt guzarta gaya muntazir ka", it uses the moon as a metaphor.

The song talks of longing and imagining the soulmate is around, using Vansh Patekar's tabla and Krishna Raj's violin appropriately. Sharon handles production.

The song ends with a good intermingling of words and sargams, lending a semi-classical fusion vibe.