Surabhi

From when I thought it would be fun to challenge myself to put together a bunch of Indian film songs.. Kollywood, Bollywood, Bhajan, Ghazal, fusion.. basically anything Indian in music. I had no control over the choice of these songs... male/ female, language, genre, tempo, scale/ pitch, nada. I have very mixed feelings on the outcome, but one thing was for sure.. I had lots of fun doing this! Listen at your own risk ;) 1 - Tunga Teeradi Ninta Suyativara - Bhajan - composed by Jaganatha Vittala Dasaru - Made popular by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi 2 - Kaatril Varum Geethame - Film Song (Tamil/ Tollywood) - Composer: Ilayaraja, Album: Oru Naal Oru Kanavu (2005) 3 - Bole Re Papihara - Film Song (Hindi/ Hollywood) - Composer: Vasant Desai, Album: Guddi (1971) 4 - Azhagu - Film Song (Tamil/ Tollywood) - Composer: GV Prakash, Album: Saivam (2014) 5 - Kalayil Dhinamum - Film Song (Tamil/ Tollywood) - Composer: AR Rahman, Album: New (2004) 6 - Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain - Film Song (Hindi/ Hollywood) - Composer: Nadeem-Shravan, Album: Pardes (1997) 7 - Lakdi Ki Kathi - Film Song (Hindi/ Hollywood) - Composer: RD Burman, Album: Masoom (1983) 8 - Soch Na Sake - Film Song (Hindi/ Hollywood) - Composer: Amaal Mallik, Album: Airlift (2016) 9 - Vizhigalin Aruginil Vaanam - Film Song (Tamil/ Tollywood) - Composer: Ramesh Vinayagam, Album: Azhagiya Theeye (2004) 10 - Lag Jaa Gale - Film Song (Hindi/ Hollywood) - Composer: Madan Mohan, Album: Woh Kaun Thi (1964) 11 - Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo - Ghazal - Composer: Fayyaz Hashmi, Popularized by Farida Khanum 12 - Aye Dil Kisi Ki Yaad Mein (Sweet Love) - New-age fusion - Composer: Master Inayat Hussain (Aye Dil)), Ali Zafar (Sweet Love), Produced by: Strings, Album: Coke Studio Pakistan (2015) 13 - Tunga Teeradi Ninta Suyativara - Bhajan - composed by Jaganatha Vittala Dasaru - Made popular by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi The video's here at: https://youtu.be/TTtmfJm4M0U

A few simple devotional favorites of mine, sans frill. Simple version with just the sruthi for company.

A few simple devotional favorites of mine, sans frill. Simple version with just the sruthi for company.

A few simple devotional favorites of mine, sans frill. Simple version with just the sruthi for company.

A few simple devotional favorites of mine, sans frill. Simple version with just the sruthi for company.

A few simple devotional favorites of mine, sans frill. Simple version with just the sruthi for company.

A few simple devotional favorites of mine, sans frill. Simple version with just the sruthi for company.

A few simple devotional favorites of mine, sans frill. Simple version with just the sruthi for company.

Several years back, I heard OS Arun sing a bhajan - Bega Baaro, Bega Baaro, Neela Megha Varna in Raagam Maand. He elevated what was seemingly simple and straightforward (, the way I learnt it as a kid,) to a different level, by means of the nuances and bhaavam. It inspired me to revisit the bhajans that we sang with abandon like rhymes, at school-level competitions. This bhajan, in particular, was requested by a dear aunt, nostalgic of the same phase that she’d been audience to, unbeknownst to me then. Presenting Hamsavaahini, set in Kalyani - a trial loosely-based trial in nuancing. Mixing and mastering by my sound-processing guru: VIJAY VENKATESH KANNAN. Highly recommend the beautiful sounds that his flute produces. (https://soundcloud.com/indian_music_fan)

To truly understand someone's greatness, you've got to (try to) do what they did. SONU NIGAM - RESPECT! (That apart from my accent issues, an amateur recording, and a scratchy karaoke :D Please forgive!)

A phenomenal roller coaster of a song that I always absolutely love singing - gives me the kicks each time. Like they say, you never know if you've completely recognized all the aspects in Rahman's compositions. This is so true for me with this one! I had heard this a few times before a friend of mine started singing this (and she did a really fantastic job of it). BAM! It hit me then. What an explosive piece!!!

This is my modest attempt at the masterpiece 'Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo', an Urdu ghazal penned by Fayyaz Hashmi and first popularized by renowned classical vocalist Farida Khanum. I have worked on the Shankar Tucker's adaptation of the same. I'm super-eager for your feedback, comments, and critique :) Thanks! Thanks also to my friend Visruth Premraj for doing some magic with mixing this track for me :)