Naren's indie round-up/ July 2026, Ep 1

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Faheem Abdullah, Arslan Nizami, Qaiser Nizami/ Hoor

Language & genre: Urdu/ Kashmiri, folk-fusion 

Label: Universal/ Coke Studio Bharat

Rating: ***

The latest Coke Studio Bharat release 'Hoor' draws from Afsana Goyi, the Kashmiri art of storytelling. Singers Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami tell the story of Sheikh and Hoor, with Qaiser Nizami joining towards the end.

The song begins with a Kashmiri line, before getting into Urdu words penned by Qaiser and Syed Mehdi Razvi. It's a good start, with a strong hook, but somewhere one feels it begins to get mechanical. The thematic changes seem forced, but to compensate, there are some wonderful solos on guitar and sarangi. The Kashmiri lines at the end keep one hunming along.

'Hoor' has its moments, but tries to pack in too many things together. But that's a typical Coke Studio Bharat trait, isn't it?

Sharayu Date/ Badra 

Language & genre: Hindi, ballad

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Using the clouds as a theme, singer Sharayu Date explores the subjects of separation and longing in 'Badra', which she's composed herself.

Lyricist Tejas Ranade begins with the simple line, "Badra re, tarasat re jiyara" before penning three intricate antaras. Radhika Bhide's production and arrangement is aided by Megha Rawoot's sitar, Malhar Godbole's guitar and Omkar Ingawale's tabla.

This is Sharayu's second song as a composer, after 'Saiyyaan Tori'. She has a melodious voice, and the theme and semi-classical influences of 'Badra' makes it perfect for the monsoons.

Sneha Shankar feat. Abhishek Thakur/ Kash Koi

Language & genre: Hindi, ballad

Label: Kashish Music

Rating: ***

Another song on pain and longing comes from singer Sneha Shankar, through Abhishek Thakur's composition and lyrics. The words of 'Kash Koi' begin, "Kash koi la deta dil ke zakhmon ki dawaa, qatraa qatraa ghayal hua, har shaks ne ki jafaa".

The recording features flautist Ashwin Srinivasan, though someone else appears in the video directed by Digvvijay Singh and shot live in the studio. Other credits include mandolin by Tapas Roy and programming by Gaurav Vaswani.

Written in nazm style, 'Kaash Koi' is another song that suits a rainy day mood, whether or not you've personally experienced the pain the singer expresses. The video looks like any other routine narrative, though - not much to make it stand out.

Aaruvian/ Finally Wrote This Message To You

Language & genre: English, blues

Label: Self-released/ Chronic Blues Circus 

Rating: ****

Back after shows in Bristol and London with her group Chronic Blues Circus, singer Aaruvian has released her solo single 'Finally Wrote This Message To You'.

And what's the message? Part of it goes, "My heart belongs to someone else, who stole it with a song, a song that I keep singing, it goes on, it goes on". Co-composed by Aaruvian and Peter Isaac, the song has some marvellous guitar lines, backed by piano and drums.

This is Aaruvian's second single this year, after the uptempo 'Woman In Me'. She has a neat style, rooted in the blues with a dash of soul. 'Finally Wrote..' impresses with its rendition and words.

Wriddh/ Keep Talking 

Language & genre: English, prog-rock

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Part of the Hindi prog-rock band Punch, singer-songwriter Wriddhaayan Bhattacharya aka Wriddh releases his first independent English solo single 'Keep Talking'.

It's a guitar-driven piece in the progressive mould, with Wriddh beginning, "When my voice is silent, you're the one who's talking". Till the "Keep Talking" refrain, one hears a lot of interesting wordplay, like, "Want to know how am I singing songs you taught, all your words in my head as I write those words".

Instrumentation is shared between Aritro Ghosh and Shubhajit Pandit. The highlights are the guitar solos and the driving rhythm section, which go perfectly with Wriddh's easy vocal flow.

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