Music
Fusion Of Classical And Folk Music: Aestheticism Meets Comfort
You might be fond of fusion songs of the 21st century but have you heard about the fusion of classical and folk songs?

We tend to modify and improve the given form according to the convenience of the layman. Classics which endure the originality of the art form are tough for a layman to acquire. Folk culture, on the other hand is seen rather as an art form made for pleasure than as an art with aestheticism. To bridge this dichotomy here, the fusion of folk and classical emerged. In music, the genre of fusion gained immense popularity as well. Fusion songs borrow the element of ease from the folk songs and inherit the element of critical aestheticism from the classical songs. There are several prevalent forms of fusion of folk and classical music in India. We’ll be mentioning all the major ones.
The Rabindra Sangeet
Rabindra Sangeet is the form of music named after its composer, the noble laureate, composer, poet, writer and Bengali polymath, Rabindranath Tagore. He drew inspiration from the Thumri sub genre of Hindustani classical music and added variations to the strict raga system in his songs. Writings of Rabindranath Tagore were highly lyrical with the thematic undercurrent of love and devotion, mainly towards God. His songs have spiritualistic tranquility that bewitches one’s mind to experience calmness, and this is what Rabindra Sangeet encompasses too.
Sugam Sangeet
Sugam Sangeet is the music that has been made free of text-laden technicalities of classical music. That isn’t to say that it does not follow some of the technicalities, but it has been certainly made flexible to changes. The lexicon of the song is made easier by often containing words adopted from regional languages. Etymologically, since Sugam translates to ‘comforting’, Sugam Sangeet is the genre which is born out of the convenience of a layman who is destitute of deeper details dwelling in classical music.
Haveli Sangeet
Haveli Sangeet are devotional songs performed in temples, often as a part of ritual. India has conjectured the tradition of Haveli Sangeet since primitive times. These songs originated in the Mathura region of Uttar Pradesh. Reverentially, they’re majorly sung in the praise of or in devotion to Hindu deity Lord Krishna. Haveli Sangeet is popular even in the states of Rajasthan and Gujrat. They carry the regional alterations of dialect and that makes them a part of fusion. Although the songs are highly religious in their themes, they can be enjoyed by atheists for their cultural beauty.
Gana Sangeet
The British colonialism majorly annihilated India, but few good things came out of it. The patriotic fervor that the freedom drive created gave rise to many culturally important art forms. One such is Gana Sangeet, which was born out protests against the British rule in India and are generally sung in chorus to represent the strength of unity and contains a social message. Initial themes included patriotism, community strength on the front, but post-colonization, Gana Sangeet incorporated other socially important themes were also adapted in the genre.
There are plethora of categories and forms of songs made out of the fusion of classical and Folk music in India and it certainly isn’t possible briefing all of them. Other popular forms, however, include Qawwali, which is a Sufi form of devotional songs and has religious Islamic origins. Another fusion music form is Shabad. These are didactic songs generally sung by Sikh gurus and are believed to be originated in Punjab.
Lost in the woods of western influences, we often forget the soothing ground of our abode and its pacifying culture. The transcendental values exhibited by our culture should be envisioned in our memory if not reflected in our action.
Music
Song Covers to Bless Your Playlist
Song covers are always a tricky area, they can be a hit or a miss. We bring to you an outstanding selection for you to add to your playlist.

They say music speaks to the soul and we totally agree. The power of music is still a mystery to mankind. It is said that it can control the weather, heal a broken heart, break a perfectly healthy heart. It can also make you feel many emotions that you would have otherwise ignored. We bring to you a selection of artists whose song covers are surely gonna end up in your Bollywood playlist.
Pasoori Fingerstyle Cover by Soumyajit Pyne
Pasoori, a song that had us grooving all through 2022 is a major vibe. Pyne captures the irresistible beat of this song in his fingerstyle cover of the same. Capturing each note with effortless grace, Pyne adds his touch to this ever-green song in this melodious guitar cover. Given how difficult it is to fingerstyle, his talent doesn’t go unnoticed. This is sure to add a groovy touch to your playlist
Shayad Fingerstyle Guitar Cover by Yash Garg
If doing fingerstyle on a guitar was hard, imagine strumming two guitars at the same time and using one of the said guitars as a drum as well, impossible right? Well, Garg proved that it’s absolutely possible. Handling two guitars while using the fingerstyle technique alternatively on both of them and using one of the guitars as a drum for beats, this cover is a true work of art. Not missing one beat or note, the way Garg beautifully switches between the two guitars and adds his own touch to the melody is just a wonder to listen to.
Sandese Aate Hai Fingerstyle Guitar Cover by Jack of All
A nostalgic song from the movie Border that will hit home every time you hear it, this song will definitely bring tears to your eyes. A song that carries with it so much emotion is often hard to cover but Jack of All proves that it’s not always the case. Skillfully changing notes from one to another while using fingerstyle on the guitar he manages to capture the true essence of the song while adding his own touch. This one will surely add a tear-jerking touch to your playlist.
Hindi Mashup Guitar Cover by Shoddo Khan
A mashup consisting of many Bollywood hits that will make it impossible for any Bollywood lover to not hum along. This mashup is perfect for a day when you just want to relish those heart-touching songs of Bollywood in under 8mins. Paired with a powerful and clear voice and masterful guitar strumming this mashup is bound to end up in your Bollywood playlist and is highly likely to be played on a loop for a really long time. From the choice of the songs to the transition, everything just oozes perfection.
Do check out these amazing music and artists and we hope they bless your ears as they did ours.
Music
Flute Covers To Unwind To
Stop, take a seat, plug in your headphones and start playing one of these flute covers and let it do the magic for you.

With people getting more and more busy running after material happiness, the art of just sitting down and listening to a soulful melody is lost. Gone are the days when the entire village used to surround Lord Krishna while he played a tune to calm every soul walking on this earth. So, we bring to you a list of flute covers that are bound to help you relax whenever you feel stressed.
A. R. Rahman Flute Tribute by Parth Chandiramani
Growing up as an avid music lover who fell in love with just listening to music way before going ahead and mastering it, Parth Chandiramani pays tribute to the Indian music legend A. R. Rahman. Being influenced by him from a tender age, Chandiramani chooses two beautiful classics of Rahman, Roja Jaaneman and Yeh Haseen Waadiyan to capture the audience in a trance with his beautiful and articulate flute playing skills. Ensuring that this medley captures the true essence of the original song sung by the legend, he captures each inflexion of notes in the original song with grace and ease.
Waves of The River by Swarnim Maharjan x Dharmendra Mali ft. Metronome Band
Capturing the childlike pitter-patter of the river rushing past the river banks in a hurry, Swarnim Maharjan immortalises these movements with the help of his flute. Starting off with a calm and mellow flow, the tune of the song changes as seconds pass by. First highlighting the childlike innocence and purity of the river before elaborating on the fickleness of the child of nature who happily rushes past each stream spreading joy and happiness to everything it crosses paths with. This cover is sure to make you imagine running down the hill as you follow the soft cackle of the river.
Kishore Kumar Flute Medley by Bubai Nandy
Is it ever possible to find a perfect medley of some of the greatest classics sung by the legend Kishore Kumar that speaks to your soul on a divine level? Bubai Nandy’s flute cover medley will prove to you that it is indeed possible. Doing a medley of Chingari, Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna, Rimjhim Gire Sawan, and Kuch to Log Kahenge, Nandy stuns you with his beautiful skills that bring each note of each song to life making you feel like you are listening to a more soulful version of the original song.
Mere Naina Saawan Badhon Flute Cover by Mani Tilak
An ever-green delight that will make you hum to its tune every time it starts playing. This flute cover by Mani Tilak is all you need when you feel like listening to this classic as a background accompaniment to your thoughts. Skillfully played and well captured, this cover keeps the essence of the original song alive while giving it a mellow touch.
Varaha Roopam Flute Cover by Divyansh Shrivastava
Beautifully capturing the urgency and peacefulness in the flute cover of Varaha Roopam, Divyansh Shrivastava, manages to bring both order and chaos to his melodic arrangement. With his mastery over the flute, it comes as no surprise that his cover helps one feel as if they have achieved divine elevation. Leaving traces of goosebumps on your skin when you listen to this piece, this cover is sure to make you leave in a more spiritually awakened state than in the one you came in.
Music
Music Covers: Some Melodies You Cannot Deny
A collection of mesmerizing and unique music covers of soulful Bollywood songs that you must give a listen to!

Music is a constant enigma of our lives. It is everywhere around us, and yet each musical rhythm and each musical tune breathes a unique element into our lives. With the advancement of digital spaces, music has become easily accessible to us. We can listen to it almost anywhere, as compared to the olden times of CDs and vinyl. Not only for listeners, but also for musicians and artists themselves, it has become easier and cheaper to put their melodies, music covers, and original compositions out in the world.
Music covers are a fun activity for many singers and artists since they always include some degrees of creativity and originality to them. For listeners, it gives them an even larger incentive of ‘re-hearing’ an original song in a completely new form, which is of course thrilling and anticipating. Here are some music covers that you must listen!
Arkamita Bhattacharjee – Ghodey Pe Sawar
Netflix’s Qala movie’s song, ‘Ghodey Pe Sawar’ was an indisputable hit song, which reigned all digital spaces: musical platforms and social media alike. Arkamita Bhattacharjee sings the beautiful music in her mesmerizing and hypnotic voice. The cover delivers the sensuality, calmness and enigma of the original song yet also adds a uniqueness to it thanks to Arkamita Bhattacharjee’s voice.
Sukanya Varadarajan – Sajda
The song ‘Sajda’ is one of the most finally composed songs ever known to Bollywood, and why wouldn’t it be when artists like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shankar Mahadevan, Richa Sharma and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are the creators. Covering a song like Sajda is of course a challenge, but for Sukanya Varadarajan, it seems effortless. In this short 2 minutes music cover, Sukanya Varadarajan, has displayed her singing skills fervently. The singing prowess beckons a bewitching force over her listeners.
Abby V – O Rangrez
Abby V is a much-loved singer. His music covers and remixes gain views in hundreds of thousands. This particular cover is a paragon of musical passion. The song from ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ is sung by the gifted Shreya Ghoshal and Javed Bashir, and is undeniably a difficult song. Abby V, with his deep seated hypnotic vocals has given a sheer magicality to the music with his cover. He delivers full justice to a song as beautiful as O Rangrez.
Rahul Mukherjee – O Rangrez
Bringing you another mesmerizing cover of ‘O Rangrez’, this time, by Rahul Mukherjee. This music cover is a beautifully crafted and a passionately recorded piece. Listening to it, one can vividly feel the honesty and the heartful work that Rahul Mukherjee has poured in this cover. The videography, the vocals, and the remake of the music, all combine to deliver a soulful, soothing, and goosebumps performance.
AC Bhardwaj – Retro Vibe 1
AC Bhardwaj always delivers the very best! In this new release of his, titled, ‘Retro Vibe-1’, the singer has created a non-skip mashup of old Bollywood songs. The 6 minute long music cover of the songs like Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein, Aye Meri Johra Zabin, Beqarar Karke Hamen Yun Na Jaiye, etc. will get your heart to sway to the magical melodies of the retro music. Moreover, AC Bhardwaj’s soothing voice elevates the pleasant experience even more.
Music
A Song Like A Hug
A song can help you heal in a way nothing can. Play this playlist whenever you wish for a friend or a hug to just be there with you.

They say when nothing goes your way in life, then sit down and take a deep breath and all will be okay. But we would suggest you, sit down, take a deep breath and plug in your headphones and hit the play button and let the music guide you to calmness. We bring to you a playlist filled with songs that will be your friend and guide for those days when you need just a long understanding hug.
Waqt ki Baatein by Dream Note
If you’re feeling like you will never get anywhere in life, if you feel like this is the end of the road for you, then give this song a try and maybe you’ll get enough warmth to make it through just another day. A warm hug, an understanding smile and a broad shoulder for you to lean on are a few things that can describe this song better than anything else. With a beautiful soft melody to accompany these heartfelt lyrics, this song will be a friend for you on those days when you just want to breathe and hope that it’s going to be okay soon.
Joy Of Little Things by When Chai Met Toast
A song for those days when you open your eyes and realise how beautiful your world truly is. It may lack the gold and diamonds but the piping hot cup of tea and the happy bark of your pet as the sun rays peep into your room through the window are more than enough to make up for it. It is a song to remind you of how it is the little droplets that make the vast ocean of happiness. Complete with a cheerful melody this song is sure to put a smile on your face every time you hit play.
Aaftaab by The Local Train
Remember the time when you feel like things cannot get worse than this, and then life decides to take you up on that dare and render you completely numb? The time when even getting out of your bed to just wash your face was a struggle? This is a song for those times when you feel like every tomorrow is just a reminder of yesterday and there is never gonna be a fresh start for you. The Local Time reminds you that there is always Aaftaab (sunlight) waiting for you around the corner, so look for it, and don’t give up just yet. A highly underrated group this song is a ray of Aaftaab in our lives, lifting our spirits and reminding us how important we truly are.
Ghar by Bharat Chauhan
Sometimes when you feel sad all you need is someone to just sit there and be there for you, someone to not wipe your tears or say that it’s going to be okay but someone to just sit and feel the wave of sorrow in your heart. Ghar is that song for you. It will give a sweet melody to those emotions that are so complex that even you are unable to understand them. In a sweet and melancholic voice, Bharat Chauhan sings about how the home is where his heart is and when that person close to his heart is not that close anymore, all that remains is a house and not a home. A song for everyone who feels like they have lost their homes.
Tooti Hoon Main by Madhav Khanna
Looking for a song that encourages you to march forward, acknowledges all the pain that you are going through no matter how small it may seem to the rest of the world, and holds your hand with a soothing voice telling you, you’re not alone, and you’ll get through this because you’re just broken not shattered? Then this is the song for you. Accompanied by mellow music this song will flow through your ears and touch your heart, reigniting your lost will to live.
Main Agar Kahin by Saveree Joshipura
On the internet, you will find many songs written on love and friendship and hardship but only a few on life, and that to a handful on how life is truly your friend (a moody one though) and not your enemy. This is a song for life. The melodious voice of Saveree breathes life into the composition touching your heart and lifting your soul and making you want to befriend life the way her voice has. It’s a song for those days when you wish to take a walk alone in the park trying to think about what a life you’ve had.
Gul by Anuv Jain
Ever felt like you gave someone your entire heart and they broke it but you still don’t regret ever doing the same and will do it all over again because they might have ruined your fairytale but they couldn’t diminish the spark of magic in you? That is what this song is about. Gul reminds you to be your loving giving self even when certain situations make you think it’s a mistake to be so. With his mesmerizing voice and soothing guitar tune Anuv Jain urges you to keep the spark within you alive because one day you will move on, and you need that spark to keep bringing joy into your life. A song for people who want a friend to tell them it’s going to be okay when the rest of the world disagrees.
For all those who feel like they will never get where they want to be or move on, remember sometimes a good song can do a lot of wonder in these times of despair. So, go on and play any of these songs and hear them give you a big hug with each note.
Music
Musical Compositions With A Desi Twist: Indian Classical Instruments
Indian classical instruments and instrumental music is an enrapturing category of music, one you should definitely not miss out on!

Music is created through so many mediums and instruments. Music is truly the culmination of the artistic endeavours in their truest forms. Musical instruments form the basis of any song. They’re the harmony to the singer’s harmonisation. They’re the very pipeline of inventiveness, creativity, and finesse. When it comes to Indian classical instruments, it is truly another phenomenon, another dimension! The grace, poise, and intricate sinew of Indian musical instruments are truly enchanting. On that note, we present to you some beautiful instrumental covers.
Pasoori x Cheap Thrills – V Minor
The Kerala Based Band, V Minor, consisting of seven members, are mastering musical instruments, adding the perfect balance of desi twist to their mashups. They mix and master English songs with Bollywood music, all of that with the fusion of the Indian instruments like the tabla, harmonium, mridangam, etc. V Minor deliver a beguiling and head bobbing remix of the songs ‘Pasoori’ and ‘Cheap Thrills.’ The band has its own element and flavour which makes the remix an another aura of distinct originality.
An Indian Tribute To Imagine Dragons’ Believer – Tushar Lall
Indian music and Indian classical instruments are truly an enigma of their own. Intricate and complex, yet so alluring and enchanting, is the Hindustani music that it leaves us all beguile. Imagine Dragons, as we all know, is a globally famous band which has released some much loved music. Tushar Lall, along with his team, highlights the intricacy and wonders of the Indian classical instruments like the Sitar, the Tabla, the Sarangi and the Harmonium, in their own rendition of Imagine Dragons’ song, ‘Believer’.
Jashn-E-Bahaara x Muzhumadhi – Mahesh Raghvan
Mahesh Raghvan takes full opportunity to deliver a fervent and heartfelt instrumental cover of his favourite composition of A.R. Rahman’s: Jashn-E-Bahaara, remixing it with kollywood music, Muzhumadhi. The twist in this phenomenal cover is that Mahesh Raghvan plays the instruments digitally, and the control he has over the rhythms! There are numerous instrumental elements in the cover which will tickle your ears in the best possible ways.
Kesariya of Brahmāstra – Divyansh Shrivastava
Divyansh Shrivastava, truly the man of one weapon, needs only the flute to completely enrapture his audience. Standing against a beautiful lake side, Divyansh plays a melodic cover of the song ‘Kesariya’ with his flute. Flute, which is known to be an extremely difficult instrument to master and play seems like a piece of cake in his hands. The soulful passion and the mastery over the flute can be felt through the screens. Divyansh Shrivastava is a dexterous flute artist, one you must check out!
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