Of Inquilab and Saaz: The Music of Deepak Peace
Often called ‘The Indian Bob Dylan’, singer-songwriter Deepak Peace from Pune challenges and confronts listeners with contemporary political issues, turning music into a call for revolution. By Hunardeep Kaur
Songs in the Key of the Forest: The Music of Coorg’s Kudiya Tribe
The music of the Kudiyas from Coorg (Karnataka) is a melodious celebration of the gift of the forests. Sravasti Datta explains how an artists’ collective is helping to promote the indigenous music and stories of tribes across the state.
The Ballad of a Superpower Lost
Superpower 2020, the new album by Indian genre-bending artist Lifafa is an instant classic, a creative mishmash of techno and Bollywood classical, all packaged tightly in a musical vision of defiance, a satire of a national superpower gone wrong. - by Karan Madhok.
Punking The Public
In their latest live release Grugs Are Dood, Mumbai band Punk on Toast present a melodic, controlled chaos, a politically-charged sound of young Indians in musical rebellion. - by Karan Madhok.
Kranti Havi: How Swadesi Became India’s Most Potent Voice of Protest Hip Hop
“We intend to only make people realise that they can only change themselves before changing the world.” Multilingual Indian hip hop crew Swadesi discuss their inspirations, their place in India’s music scene, and sparking a revolution through rap -by Karan Madhok.
Positive Vibrations
The ‘magic of sound’ has an inherent healing power. Akhila Damodaran reports why many Indians are seeking music therapy to cope with the stress of a particularly painful year.
The Perfect Blend: When Chai Met Toast and the Art of Happy, Infectious Music
Kochi-based multilingual pop-folk band When Chai Met Toast discusses their first Hindi track, upcoming album and connecting with fans amid the pandemic - by Barkha Kumari
A Voice that Crossed Over; A Voice of a Generation
S.P. Balasubrahmanyam’s iconic voice and plethora of soundtracks marked the multilingual singer as one of the most essential artists of his time. Jamie Alter recalls the impact of the crossover artist in the Hindi film industry.
When The Music Stops
While India’s musicians take the show online, the unsung heroes of live shows—technicians, backstage coordinators, tentwallahs and more struggle to make their ends meet since the lockdown. Some in the events industry have united to give back. - by Barkha Kumari
Music from the Hills: Abdon Mech dreams of better days in “Again”
Nagaland-based singer-songwriter Abdon Mech discusses his lockdown-inspired single “Again”, his song writing process, future plans, and more.- by Ady Manral
Music as Still Life: Sameer Rahat’s poetic solo debut Aamad
Urdu singer-songwriter Sameer Rahat’s debut solo album AAMAD is quiet as the eye of a hurricane, rich in poetic depth and deeply-personal energy. A track-by-track review by The Blue Magpie
The World is Ours—Divine leads the rise of Desi Rap, with an assist from Nas
The unlikely fandom of American rap legend Nas in India; and the surprising connection between Nas, Divine, and the rise of India’s real hip hop culture. - an essay by Karan Madhok.
Photo series by Vijay Kowshik V P: Parallel Indias is about proximity without connection, a study of coexistence without recognition. These are images of adjacency, lives, symbols, and bodies, all occupying the same space, often within the same frame, without ever meeting.