In the realm of mental health, where silence often reigns and stigma persists, art performances and emerging as powerful tools for breaking the chains surrounding the topic. Among these diverse forms of artistic expression, music takes centre stage, proving to be a transformative force in healing mental health. Let’s delve into the deep impact of mental health art performances and the therapeutic resonance of music.

“Holding On” by Sanjay Maroo

These poignant words set the stage for a musical journey that explores the dualities of life- the euphoria of success and the depths of rejection and fear. The song is a dedication to those who persist and refuse to surrender their dreams despite setbacks. It’s a call to awaken those who may have quietly moved away, urging them that it’s never too late to try again. The artist shares personal experiences passionately pursuing a dream, basking in the glory of success, but also grappling with the pain of rejection and the haunting fear of failure.

“Nahi Hu Mai Theek” by Vasu Kainth

In a bold and crucial move, an artist addresses the often stigmatized topic of mental illness through his song “Nahi Hu Mai Theek”. This musical composition shines a light on the shadows that mental health struggles cast on individuals. By bringing mental health struggles to the spotlight, the artist contributes to breaking the silence and dispelling the stigma that surrounds it. The song becomes a voice for those who grapple with invisible battles within their minds, creating space for empathy and understanding.

Sitar for Mental Health by Rishab Rikhiram Sharma

Sitar for Mental Health gives us a unique blend of ancient practices and contemporary experiences, utilizing traditional Indian Classical music as a powerful medium. The goal is to invoke states of deep reflection, receptivity and introspection, fostering awareness about mental health through the auditory sensory processing system.

These immersive experiences last around 60 minutes and go beyond the boundaries of conventional performances. They incorporate a variety of instruments, including the Khartal, Sound Bowls, Daf, and deep percussion, creating a multi-sensory journey. The focus is not merely on music but on the silence between notes, encouraging deep listening and gradual adoption of musical improvisation and consciousness.

Rishab, the artist behind Sitar for Mental Health, skillfully navigates the Sitar as a tool for transformation. The audience is taken on a journey that begins with a personal intention, allowing them to sense and visualize their emotions. The experience encourages letting go of mental and physical attachments in that moment, providing a therapeutic space for introspection and healing.

In the dynamic world of music, every store carries a story and each melody paints a vivid picture of emotion. The latest music releases have taken up this ethos, offering a diverse range of tunes that resonate with the human experience. Let’s dive into the enchanting world of these musical masterpieces.

“You Are A Criminal” by Mallika Mehta

“You Are a Criminal” by Mallika Mehta is her latest creation which is a powerful emotional orchestral pop composition. The song invites listeners on a compelling journey through the intricate nuances of heartbreak and betrayal. Mallika’s passionate delivery breathes life into every emotion, making that track a poignant experience for anyone who has ever felt the sting of betrayal. With a fusion of soul-stirring lyrics and a captivating melody; “You Are a Criminal” stands as a must-listen, promising an emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impression.

“Neem Neem” by Anurag Sinha, Yasser Desai & MFA Records

Presented by Anurag Sinha and MFA Records, “Neem Neem” is a melodious masterpiece that enchants the soul. Sung by the talented Yasser Desai, and featuring the voices of Manmeet Kaur and Jatin Suri, this song is a musical journey that transcends the ordinary. The enchanting melodies of “Neem Neem” promise to send the listeners to a world of soothing tunes and heartfelt emotions. The video, a visual delight, shows us a captivating performance that promises to tug at the heartstrings. “Neem Neem” is a chartbuster in the making, offering an unforgettable musical experience.

“Tu Jo Paas” by Suzon

“Tu Jo Paas” is a light at the end of a dark tunnel. The song expresses deep emotions of joy and reliability in a romantic relationship. The singer finds immense happiness and a positive demeanour when their loved one is close, emphasizing that without them, life feels dull, The recurring desire to maintain this laughter and joy and a plea to never leave, creates a sense of security. The verses beautifully intertwine feelings of love and simplicity, portraying the beloved’s impact on every aspect of the singer’s life. Acknowledging the loved ones’ role in fulfilling aspirations and being the anchor in times of emotional turbulence adds layers of depth to the lyrics.

“Hi” by THE 9TEEN

“Hi” by THE 9TEEN is a soulful and poignant melody, “Hi” captures the essence of connection and strength that emerges from challenging circumstances. “Hi” intricately weaves a narrative of what two individuals experience when physically distant but emotionally close. The song is creative and a breath of fresh air with stunning vocals, and visuals.

“Mann” by The Yellow Diary

“Mann” is a song that is sure to touch your heart. In a heartwarming video, Moses discovers Tarini’s lost diary in a busy metro station. What happens after is a meeting by chance that unfolds as they connect over the diary’s pages, leading to laughter and shared moments. This touching tale shows us how fate, in the form of a lost diary, can unite two strangers and blossom a heartwarming friendship.

These latest music releases offer a rich tapestry of emotions, from heartwarming to heartwrenching. Each song sings a unique story, creating a melodic journey that resonates with listeners on a deeply personal level. Whether you seek the emotional intensity of betrayal, the enchantment of soulful melodies, the resilience found in love, the strength born from distance, or the heartwarming joy of newfound friendship, these songs promise an unforgettable musical experience. So, immerse yourself in the beauty of these compositions, let the melodies carry you away, and savour the profound emotions they evoke.

How often do you open Spotify or YouTube and give up because you just can’t find the right song to match your mood? It’s hard but hey once you find the right one you won’t be able to stop playing it on repeat. We understand your pain and we understand the joy that you experience and hence to make your life a whole lot easier we present to you a playlist that will surely evoke a lot of emotions.

Humne Bhi by The Western Ghats

With a catchy beat with soulful lyrics and melody, this song brings out a lot of emotion. Ranging from happy to nostalgic to a tab bit melancholy, this song is bound to bring a subconscious smile to your face. With vocals that will make any none morning person wake up with a peaceful smile, this song is for days when you just wish to vibe with a song in your room.

Mumkin Nahin by Khanabadosh

The feeling of heartbreak after a breakup is something almost everyone is familiar with. The change in environment and life in general that this particular phase brings is not something small. Some may try to hold onto that past in some way, through friendship or otherwise, but it’s not always possible or clean. Expressing the messy aftermath of a breakup where a couple decides to remain friends but doesn’t succeed in leaving it all behind, this song is a reminder that sometimes life moves on irrespective of whether we are ready or not. And although our past will hold a piece of us, it will only be a piece never the whole. It’s a song for days when you just can’t let go and keep up with the change.

Tootay Unplugged by Ankur Tewari

Another song that deals with the theme of loss and the pain of moving on. A soothing vocal accompanied by heartful lyrics this song will soothe any unrest soul. It’s one of those rare beauties with such great lyrics that they will leave you gasping in awe. The metaphors that each line brings out are absolutely beautiful. It’s a song for days when you are at a loss of words for the loss you’re feeling within.

Jaan Baaki by Shubham Kabra

A song that will make you bawl your eyes out with tears of sadness and love, this is a song that you just can’t stop appreciating. The way the music video switches between past and present help enhance your understanding of the lyrics. Two lovers bound together by one soul, and how lonely one becomes in the absence of another but still trudges forward in life is very beautifully portrayed in the video. Plug into your earphones and let the soothing vocals of Shubham Kabra and the hum-worthy melody of the song take you on a journey of cherishing true love.

Tere saath by Choloman Chhondo

A song to dedicate your special someone, it’s a song that will surely remind them how special you truly are to them. An adorable song with a joyous melody, this song will make you dance in your room with joy and happiness. And if somebody dedicates it to you, you will most likely blush from head to toe with love.

Hope these songs evoke a range of emotions in you as they did in us when we curated this playlist for you.

The world of music is a magical one in itself. Our contemporary and industrial compositions are wonderful to groove to and adding to them are our musical originals composed by independent artists. They intertwine notes like whispers of the heart and make melodies waltz. Original music composers emerge as an ode to the boundless creativity of human expression. Today we have with us a compilation consisting of a few such musical originals, let us take you on a symphonic journey that captures our shared human experience.

“Humne Bhi” by Rishi Kumar

Humne Bhi by Rishi Kumar is a melodic masterpiece that is an absolute joy to listen to. The artists’ tunes, instrumentals, and voices wonderfully complement each other. The lyrics are playful and mischievous at the same time very thoughtful. The intonations of the artist’s voices are to make a place in the heart of the audience, leaving them humming the tune all day long. Humne Bhi by Rishi Kumar is truly a soulful musical original.

“Baatein Purani” by Shubham Agrawal

Baatein Purani by Shubham Agrawal is melancholic melody. The music effortlessly takes the audience back to that one person, the one who got away. On the surface, the song is soft and calming, but upon hearing the lyrics carefully you will find yourself missing the person you’ve loved but arent together anymore. Baatein Purani by Shubham Agrawal is a beautiful musical original that leaves a lingering magic once you’ve heard it.

“Dariya” by Vismay Patel

Dariya by Vismay Patel is an enchanting musical original. The music and lyrics resonate with the idea of finding yourself a moment and space in the chaos of daily life. The lyrics take the audience to a place they just want to claim as their own. The song is intricately crafted with giving the sense of being alone without being lonely, of just being still. Dariya by Vismay Patel is an adorable song sure to find its special corner in your heart.

“Tu Jae Jahan” by Osho Jain ft Sanchi

Tu Jae Jahan by Osho Jain is a whimsical cute melody. The music is light and toe-tapping and gets the audience grooving. The lyrics are overflowing with the beauty and novelty of love. The song resonates with the theme of wanting to be where your lover is, of never wanting to spend a single moment apart. Tu Jae Jahan by Osho Jain is a light-hearted song that will have you singing along to every word once you hear it.

“Khaali Daraze” by Sarthak Bhardwaj feat. Kashish Arora

Khaali Daraze by Sarthak Bhardwaj is a soulful, heartwrenching, tear-jerking song that is so beautiful to listen to, it will render you speechless. The tunes and the lyrics are so well crafted and complement each other. The duet adds to the beauty of the song. The music brings out beautifully the duality of human emotions, how the one thing or person who brought a smile upon your face, can now, through mere memory jog up emotions of regret and reminiscence. Khaali Daraze by Sarthak Bharadwaj is such a raw and beautiful musical original which is sure to have the audience clenching their hearts in awe.

We hope you enjoyed this little compilation of original musicals.

In a world where everyone is busy with becoming first, it is hard to find someone who slows down on purpose. Someone who marches to the beat of their own drums. Someone who knows the true value of working on themselves. People like these are often considered odd and the society often tries to persuade them to join the rat race. For society, these rare anomalies create inferiority among the rest. And hence society crushes them without realising that these rare anomalies are truly gems that make life worth living. They add beauty to life inspiring and invigorating us to march ahead. These rare gems are none other than artists of this world. And one such rare gem is up-and-coming singer Akanksha Grover.

Akanksha Grover: Her Journey

Born in Faridabad, Akanksha’s interest in music was sparked when she started attending Satsangs and Kirtans with her mother. There she would watch her mother sing and soon enough music started feeling like home to her. But for young Akanksha, the real fire for music began to burn brightly inside her once her brother started getting formally trained in music. At the tender age of 3-4 years, she was enamoured by the power of music and first started learning by observing her brother getting trained. Later on, when his brother decided to stop his musical training, she requested her parents to let her continue. And that’s how her lifelong bond with music started.

Blessed with parents who understood the true value of art, Akanksha had a great support system growing up. But that doesn’t mean life was devoid of any hurdles for this talented singer. Choosing to stick to Ghazals over commercialised genres of singing, means it won’t be that easy for her to make a name for her in this cut-throat ever-changing Indian music scene. So having a financial burden is not uncommon for her. Yet she never loses her determination for her soul lies in singing. 

Following her parents’ advice she decided to give the normal 9-5 job as a music teacher at a school a shot. But she soon realised that was not the life for her. And she literally ran for the hills! She refused to bend to the whims of society and continued her riyaz (practice) and improved herself day by day. Her diagnosis of Celiac disease, the covid lockdown followed by a depressive state only reinforced her decision to run for the hills. The hills rejuvenated her and gave us the melodious Akanksha Grover we know today.

From Panicking To Thriving On Stage

Given that Akanksha is not a big people person, her state of pure anxiety before going live on stage is highly relatable to many of us. But just like Meena from the movie “Sing” all Grover needs is to start singing and then the world around her vanishes into oblivion. All that exists is her voice, the musical notes and the beautiful lyrics that surround her. 

Quoting Smt. Shashwati Mandal (who is also her guru), Kishori Amonkar, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Shobha Gurtu, Prithvi Gandharv and Pratibha Singh Baghel as her musical inspiration, just highlights her golden taste in music. Being a Ghazal singer it is hard to break out in the modern musical scene of India. And that’s where the growing popularity of Baithaks and social media comes to the rescue.

Baithaks: A Charm of Old India

Thanking social media enormously for her success, Akanksha is not one to shy away from showing gratitude to social media for helping her grow so much. Baithaks, or mehfils, are formal venues where indoor recreational activities are entertained. These activities can range from singing to reciting poetries to dancing. They were a huge part of the Indian culture. They were popular for letting the artist take centre stage as listeners conversed among themselves and enjoyed art at its finest. Over time these soon became a part of history. But are now getting revived with emerging Ghazal singers hosting them for their fans. Akanksha Grover and others are at the forefront of this revival.

In order to make today’s audience understand the charm of baithaks and mehfils, Akanksha does her best by fusing both traditions with modernity. By using certain Western instruments in her baithaks now and then followed by an explanation behind the meaning of her song, she ensures her audience feels her music as much as she does when she sings it. By far her memorable baithak has to be the one in Mumbai that she recently hosted. The lovely songs requested by the audience just stole her heart.

A Message For Aspiring Artists & A Remedy For Bad Days

As a free bird who just wishes to sing to her heart’s content, and not compete or get dragged into the rat race, some days can be hard for Akanksha Grover. And that’s when all she does is drive around while blasting her favourite music. This inspires her to record something great like the piece she is listening to. It may not work for everybody but you will only know when you try it!

As a lover of music, there is nothing more disheartening for Grover than to watch young talented artists just copy the work of previous artists. She hopes that today’s artists will take the time to learn the musical notes and svaras. And listen to those old brilliant compositions but produce something of their own for the audience. Her message to aspiring artists is that she hopes they don’t get demotivated by others’ success and focus on themselves as that’s when they truly start improving and things start happening for them.

As Akanksha tirelessly works towards composing; Ghazals and Nazams some by brilliant shayars and some of her original work she prays that she never has to stop singing, for singing is her safe haven in this bustling world.