Remembering the Ghazal King – Jagjit Singh - An Interview with Director Brahmanand Singh

Film Directors are in charge of executing on a creative vision for a film. While they are responsible for everything in a movie, Brahmanand S Singh a National award-winning filmmaker and writer falls in a different category. He makes one of the best music documentaries from RD Burman Pancham to his latest Kaagaz Ki Kashti portraying the life story of late ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh. Historically speaking, this movie is important as it chronicles the life of Jagjit in a fascinating and moving tale about the vicissitudes of his life.

Breaking the Boundaries with Daira

Mumbai based progressive rock band Daira have a huge fan following all over the country and are one of the top contenders at most music festivals. With two albums and a third expected this year, Daira’s music is heady, packed with some great guitar riffs, brilliant drumming, powerful vocals and lyrics that anyone can relate to, ingredients that convey the sound they label as art rock.

“We wanted to capture the beauty of the North East in our video” Subir Malik - Parikrama

Parikrama have been around in the music scene for over 28 years and have performed all over the world. The rock band which also uses elements of Indian music in its soundscape was the first Asian band to perform at the Download Festival in 2007, and open for Iron Maiden in Bengaluru, the following year.

Flying High with the F16s

How creative can you get when it comes to finding the right name for a band? Rock group Jefferson Airplane took on a name and the F16s from Chennai have shared something that they all love and named their electro-alternative band after jet fighers. The band has been in existence since 2011, and has played throughout India and internationally.

Hop onto the Ladies Compartment

Whenever we think of '90s girls bands, we automatically think of the Spice Girls. The girl group, which spelled Girl Power, was one of the bestselling girl bands of all time and is responsible for making "girl power" a rallying cry for fans everywhere. It was a show of power for girls in particular and saying how strong they can be.

“Working with Ricky Martin was amazing” - Akasa Singh

Rising Bollywood Singer, Akasa, is most known for her song Kheench Meri Photo from the 2016 Bollywood movie ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’. Starting her career through reality shows, she was signed by Sony Music India. Her debut pop single Thug Ranjha crossed 41 mn + views in one month and became one of the most watched Indian videos worldwide on YouTube. Recently the very beautiful lass was seen singing the much awaited wedding song from the Bollywood film ‘Bharat’.

Pulling Strings – Sheldon D’silva

The bass guitarist plays a very important role in an orchestra or a band. He brings a certain charm and form to the music.

Drum Circle: Ranjit Barot

He has been described by guitar legend John McLaughlin as "one of the leading edges in drumming". Ranjit Barot considers himself fortunate that he was exposed to a wide range of music in his young days. Even though he was exposed to Indian classical music through his mother, the eminent Kathak dancer Sitara Devi, he took up western music instead. Music was always played in his house, so much so that he hounded his mother till she bought him a drumset. And surely that instrument has taken him a long way. The joy of playing music and being in a band is what drew him towards a musical career. The drums was the first musical instrument he ever played.

The Ocean is their world - Parekh and Singh

Nischay Parekh Jivraj Singh are a regular fixture at most Indian music festival these days, a dream-pop duo from the City of Joy - Kolkata are better known by their surnames Parekh and Singh. The pair’s debut album ‘Ocean’ (2013) has created waves and has got them a much sought after record label deal. Their music features none of the stereotypical sitars and tablas that dominate India’s music scene, but what you see on stage is two young musicians’ namely guitarist, vocalist and synth-player Parekh and percussionist Singh who produce music that would immediately magnetise you, distinctly un-Indian, but catchy enough to make you sway.

“You have to be more than just a singer for the audience to connect with you” Raahul Jain

Amid the many singers/composers, who have debuted in the world of Indian music, one more name has joined the list. He is none other than Jatin Pandit’s son, Raahul Jatin, whose debuted with the single, Aankhon Ke Ishaare.