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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Here's how rain inspired the creative flow of these musicians
Nothing compares to the pitter-patter of rain, accompanied by the repetitious croaking of frogs and Nature's own symphony of monsoon. But if you are a music aficionado looking for an excuse to drown your senses in raaga Malhar, then the rain could possibly be your trusty sidekick. What? You don't like Indian classical music? Jazz, then? Perhaps, something mainstream — a Bollywood banger from the '90s with pelvic thrusts by women draped in drenched chiffon saris? In a country where advice and judgement comes cheap, song recommendations can only be perceived in three ways — portentous, perfunctory or passionate. (In case of rain, that would be, respectively and respectfully, Fuzzy Logic's 'Guerrilla Monsoon', Rihanna's 'Umbrella' or 'November Rain' by Guns N' Roses). In matters as subjective as the arts, we will (or at least try to) toe the line of objectivity. So, here are four different musicians who have composed songs about rain and here's how the monsoon fuelled their creative stream. For the 'Indie'philes 'Indian Monsoon' by Tech Panda and Kenzani The inspiration came from the vocals of the song that goes something like 'Jhiri jhiri barre'. Mid-August is when it would rain in Delhi when, I was a kid, says Tech Panda. 'The wordings are celebratory and for mesort of captured the message of relief and burst of new life that the Indian monsoon is synonymous with.' For Kenzani it was 'The relief one gets from the heat and dust and the promise of rising hopes and dreams and celebrating over chai and pakodas.' 'A Perfect Rain' by Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale We initially worked on the song back in 2006 when Anoushka Shankar and I were writing sketches for our album Breathing Underwater. At the time I was using an acoustic guitar and we were writing guitar and sitar compositions. So, one of those was the initial idea for 'A Perfect Rain'. I was writing something in raaga Jog, which also then opened up in the chorus into a major chord. The name 'A Perfect Rain' came before we actually had a vocalist. We were writing the song in Delhi and it was raining. The album itself was therapy for Anoushka Shankar and me as our lives were going through transitions. I think, our partnership was based in helping each other to the next place — that's what the rainy season represents too, the blossoming of a new season. Regional reprise 'Mazhaye Thoomazhaye' from Pattam Pole by M Jayachandran Romance and the drizzle — they have always felt inseparable to me, like ragas gently conversing with soft rock and two distinct genres getting together. It is like two moods meeting and creating something tender and timeless. To me, composing the feeling of being in love, musically, is one of the most beautiful forms of expression. Pattam Pole gave me the chance to rediscover romance in the rain. With Mazhaye Thoomazhaye, I wanted to offer something fresh to the younger generation — a song where different musical genres blend seamlessly into one emotion. My director gave me complete freedom to explore. Santosh Sharma penned the lyrics with delicate grace and Haricharan poured his soul into every note. That is how Mazhaye Thoomazhaye was born. It's a gentle rain of melody, love and freedom. 'Baarish Da Mausam' by Talwiinder Rain is my favourite weather. There was a week when it was raining continuously. Rippy had written a few lines and I remember I went for a walk and repeatedly listened to Rippy's voice note as the rain continued to fall. The voice note was the lyrics of 'Baarish Da Mausam'. It was pensive and deep. That's what rains mean to me too. We recorded the song, and even today we have people tagging it and playing it whenever it rains.
Economic Times
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Who is Arjun Pratap Bajwa, Sara Ali Khan's rumoured boyfriend, seen with her at a Gurudwara?
Synopsis Sara Ali Khan and Arjun Pratap Bajwa were recently seen together at a Gurudwara in Delhi, reigniting relationship rumors after a video of them leaving together went viral. Arjun, an actor, musician, and MMA enthusiast from a politically active family, has sparked considerable fan reaction online. Arjun Pratap Bajwa, Sara Ali Khan Bollywood actor Sara Ali Khan was recently spotted at a Gurudwara in Delhi with Arjun Pratap Bajwa, sparking renewed speculation about their rumoured relationship. A video of them leaving together has gone viral on social media. Sara Ali Khan, known for her role in Metro... In Dino, was seen visiting a Gurudwara. As per social media videos, she was accompanied by Arjun Pratap Bajwa, who is believed to be her rumoured boyfriend. The two were captured on video by Bollywood paparazzo Pallav Paliwal. The footage shows Sara exiting the Gurudwara in a white suit and entering a car, shortly joined by Arjun. The video has since gone viral and led to widespread reactions Pratap Bajwa is an actor, musician, and mixed martial arts enthusiast. He comes from a politically active family in Punjab. His father, Fateh Jang Singh Bajwa, serves as the Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state. Arjun began his career in the film industry as an assistant director on Singh Is Bliing. He later appeared in the musical drama Band of Maharajas. Apart from acting, he has built a presence in music. His singles include Thinkin' Bout You, Hellcat, and Enroute. He also collaborated on the track Parda with Tech Panda and Kenzani. Known for his interest in fitness and music, Arjun remains active on social media, where he often shares updates about his work and media users quickly shared the Gurudwara video, leading to a range of reactions. Many praised the duo, calling them a 'superhit jodi' and 'a beautiful pair.' At the same time, some fans expressed concern about the growing public and media attention on Sara's private life. Apart from the attention on her personal life, Sara Ali Khan has continued to support her family and professional commitments. Recently, she cheered for her brother, Ibrahim Ali Khan, as his debut film SarZameen released on 25 July on JioHotstar. The OTT film, directed by Kayoze Irani, features Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kajol in lead visit to the Gurudwara and her appearance with Arjun Pratap Bajwa has once again put the spotlight on her off-screen life, even as she remains engaged in her film career. Disclaimer: This article is based on a socia media post on Instagram for informational purposes. has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of Reader discretion is advised.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Electronic duo Tech Panda x Kenzani collaborates with Hindustani classical musicians and kathak dancers for Ibtida's experimental baithak in Mumbai
Somewhere between the chaos of tempo rubato in electronic music and the symmetry of classical compositions, there is an undefined sonic space where infinite creative possibilities are waiting to be explored. In an attempt to engage with that space, electronic duo Tech Panda x Kenzani will, for the first time, perform with Hindustani classical musicians and kathak dancers at Royal Opera House in Mumbai, on July 19. The force behind this dialogue between the distinct spectrum of arts is Ibtida, a platform started in 2019 to revive the old-world nostalgia of mehfils and baithaks in India. The curators of Ibtida, Anubhav Jain and Tanvi Singh Bhatia, have titled this show Surrender/Atmasamarpan. Anubhav says, 'The seed of Surrender was planted sometime around March. With Ibtida, the intent has always been to create a platform for new-age artistes, one that blurs lines between the old and the new, the performer and the audience, the seen and the felt. Collaborating with Tech Panda and Kenzani came from a deep curiosity about what happens when two seemingly distinct sonic traditions — the visceral pulse of electronica and the textured depth of Dilli Gharana — speak to one another, not over each other. It wasn't about fusion for the sake of novelty, it was about allowing a new language to emerge from shared respect.' Sharing the stage with Tech Panda x Kenzani will be dhrupad and khayal vocalist Arman Dehlvi, ghazal singer Vani Babbar, Suhel Saeed Khan on the sitar, Rohit Prasanna on the flute, and kathak dancers Amrapali Bhandari and Priyanka Kapil. Tech Panda aka Rupinder Nanda shares, 'I feel so lucky that we could rope in these star musicians for this one-of-a-kind performance. Like, on sitar, is literally the torchbearer of the Dilli Gharana — Suhel, an 11th generation musician. Also, Arman is classically trained in the tabla and vocals and has also been an electronic music producer, so he fit well into the scheme of things.' Kenzani (Kedar Santwani) is as elated while talking about Rohit, the son of flautist Ravi Shankar Prasanna from the Benaras Gharana. 'It is literally the first family that comes to mind when the word flute is mentioned. We are lucky to have found each other and rehearsals have been so much fun.' Though the duo is a bit reluctant to share its set-list for the show, it does spill the beans on how the gig will be a jugalbandi of sorts. The tracks may include some of the duo's earliest work, like 'Khoyo'. It recently released 'Duniya' that samples a qawwali on a Moog Sub 37 synthesiser alongside the band's faithful VSTs (Virtual Studio Technology). Rupinder says that the duo wanted songs that can be used as a canvas and really stripped down for all the musicians on stage to effectively showcase their skills. 'We have been rehearsing for the past two months! It started with just throwing ideas and defining roles, but now that we are closer to the event, practice has become more serious with each beat and groove counted for and time lapsed to the exact number. Nothing about the performance is going to be impromptu,' says Kedar. Tech check We're using a mix of digital and analog tools to create a seamless fusion between electronic production and classical performance. 'Our production workflow includes FL Studio as our main DAW for compiling, arranging, and mixing tracks, Native Instruments VSTs for synthesising unique textures and atmospheres and Line 6 Pod Go effects processor for the sitar, allowing us to modulate and oscillate its sound in real-time with a custom effects chain. We also have a Yamaha Mixer for routing and balancing all live inputs including vocals, tabla, and flute,' says Rupinder. While dissecting the role of the electronic duo and classical musicians on stage, Tanvi says that Tech Panda x Kenzani are not just adding beats. 'They're co-weaving the fabric of the evening. Tech Panda and Kenzani are working closely with the classical artistes to understand their phrasing, mood, and structure. They are producing this show in collaboration with us.' A baithak that places itself on the edge of experimentation, somewhat subverting the notions of highbrow purists of classical music and quietly pushing the envelope of mainstream resistance, Anubhav is clear about Surrender/Atmasamarpan: 'Our approach doesn't replace the purity of classical; it reframes how we can listen to it, how it can travel, and whom it can reach. This evening is not a compromise. It's a collision between devotion and disruption. To the purists, we say, this isn't meant to imitate what's already perfect. It's meant to invite new ears to show that Hindustani music can spread and be learnt by a vast audience. And if it ruffles a few, maybe it's doing something right.' To get your passes for Surrender/Atmasamarpan, which will be held at The Royal Opera House, Mumbai, on July 19, 8pm onwards, click on the link. Tickets start at ₹3,500.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
The rise of Gen Z audience, rasiks at baithaks in Delhi-NCR
Music, with its universal appeal, is now bridging extremes – from head-banging EDM sets to deeply immersive, soulful renditions. Making a quiet yet powerful comeback is the baithak – the intimate, unplugged musical gathering once synonymous with the culturall-life in Delhi-NCR. Amid this soothing ambience and unfiltered musical energy is a surprising audience: Gen Z. The revival of baithaks, across Delhi-NCR, is witnessing an unexpectedly high interest from the younger generation. Traditionally hosted in homes or small informal spaces, baithaks are all about forging a direct connection between the artiste and the audience (rasiks), between melody and emotion. Though these receded into the background during the pandemic, they are now re-emerging across India, especially NCR, drawing enthusiastic young listeners in large numbers. 'In a world of high-decibel concerts and flashy gigs, a baithak brings a kind of calm that fills the room in a way nothing else can,' says Abhinav Arora, founder of a Delhi-based baithak collective, Abhinav Ka Sangeet. 'What really amazes me is how many Gen Z attendees we see… often more than half the room. These are young people known for club nights and upbeat playlists, but here they are, sitting at easy with mesmerised eyes, saying 'Wah wah' when a note hits just right, clapping in sync, and asking us for more insights into the baithak culture and it's background after the performance. It's this unexpected shift that's giving artists and organisers a renewed sense of purpose. The baithaks today aren't strictly classical either. There's a conscious effort by us to blend traditional ragas with contemporary sounds so that the young ones can enjoy this new-found music taste of theirs.' 'We're witnessing a steady yet meaningful shift as young audiences are no longer passively consuming culture, they are actively seeking depth,' says Anubhav Jain, co-curator at IBTIDA-Ek Mehfil, as his colleague, Tanvi Singh Bhatia elucidates, 'In our recent 50-seater baithaks, nearly 20% of attendees have consistently been Gen Z. What's remarkable is that this isn't driven by trend, but by a desire for emotional and cultural resonance. While we maintain the sanctity of the baithak and resist turning it into novelty, the mix of Gen Z, younger millennials, and legacy patrons creates a rare intergenerational dialogue exactly what IBTIDA stands for.' Is this preferential shift in format thus causing the artistes to try an unconventional format to perform in? Tech Panda & Kenzani, an Indian electronic DJ and music production duo based out of Delhi, who are prepping to perform at an experimental baithak throw light on this. 'We thought the fusion between our music and the soulful essence of a baithak will be beautiful for those in the audience,' says Tech Panda aka Rupinder Nanda, adding, 'We are very excited to perform at the baithak as our audience knows what we do in terms of music. A fusion musical of such kind is unprecedented and gives the chance to artistes to reach out to a very diverse audience. We have decoded all the tracks that we have and have made fresh tracks to create music that is very calm and therapeutic. I personally am into classical music and to blend something that is of such experimental sorts is what drives an artiste.' 'In our generation, everyone is more into big rock or pop concerts. But then we performed at a baithak-style concert during a recent college fest, and the vibe was something else,' says Tanvi, a member of Dhwani, the musical society at Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) of Delhi University (DU), adding, 'The hall was packed, and no one wanted to leave! I'd never seen that kind of response to classical music before. It really showed me that even with all the modern stuff out there, we Gen Zs can totally enjoy and connect with baithaks. In fact, I see more and more of my friends getting into it now.' Catch It Live Ghar Ki Baithak Where: S Block, Panchsheel Enclave When: June 21 Timing: 7pm Entry : +918860092206 IBTIDA-Ek Mehfil ft Papon When: August 30 Timing: 8pm Entry: +919819870281 Kabir Baithak 2.0 Where: N 111, Panchsheel Park, Delhi (July 5) & The Poéttery Studio, Sector 55, Gurugram (July 6) Timing: 5.30pm Entry: +919582791836 For more, follow HT City Delhi Junction
