3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Why the Lamberghini girl Ragini Tandan chose Chandigarh to kick off her debut album & special launch tour
SIX hundred million views and counting – after her insanely viral hit track Lamberghini with The Doorbeens, singer-songwriter Ragini Tandan returns to the spotlight with something deeply personal, her debut album, Chasing Light.
As part of a special launch tour, Ragini is all set to perform live in Chandigarh this August 7–8 at the Tagore Theatre where she will also release her debut album.
'If not here then where! I am from Ambala, but Chandigarh has been more home to me than any other place…we've grown up here, walked the Sector 17 market, enjoyed the Sukhna Lake, the plays and musical events at Tagore Theatre…to be honest, I owe my cultural roots to this city. This is where I was introduced to the arts, where I participated in theatre, in music competitions like Sangam Kala and Rafi Nights…the dream to chase a life in music started here,' says Ragini.
In Chandigarh, prepping for her show Ragini opens up about her struggles and how it took her almost six years to come up with her album.
'The song Lamberghini happened by chance. The Doorbeens, the band, touched base with me after watching all the musical reels I had shared on social media, and they lived just four houses away from us in Delhi! We got together, and the song was recorded in a cubicle lined with five thermocol pieces!' tells Ragini, who recorded the track and left for the UK to pursue a course in Human Resource Management. Back home, the track went viral, and Ragini knew this was it – 'I packed my bags, moved to Mumbai.'
Trained in Hindustani classical, Ragini's ultimate dream has always been to be a playback singer, just like her favourite, Sunidhi Chauhan. 'I didn't want to become an independent artist, but the last six years have pulled me in that direction. While I did try for films and projects took their time to take off, the idea of creating something of my own, collaborating resonated with me. There was scope for growth here, and these six years have been exactly that – finding myself as an artist.'
Chasing Light is the result of this 'search for the self, which she and her brother, Shiv Tandan undertook'. Shiv, who is the lyricist of cult favourites Dooron Dooron and Botalaan (Paresh Pahuja), and the director behind the Voice Notes concert series, has collaborated on the album, and delivered a rich lyrical storytelling to the five tracks.
'From love, loss to self-discovery, each track charts a different emotional landscape. Take for instance Roobaroo, an anthem of awakening, while Bolo Na dances through the absurdities of daily life, as Ragini navigates the madness of Mumbai. Chhaddo, which is her favorite, is heartbreak and acceptance, while Tabaahi is catharsis. Finally, Subah is a graceful goodbye,' adds Shiv.
Recently, Yo Yo Honey Singh mentioned Lamberghini as a beautiful track in an interview, and praised the singer. 'That was out of the blue,' smiles Ragini, the 'soul singer looking to make meaningful connections with her audience through her music'.
