In day-to-day life, people pursue novelty through a blend of approaches. We often tune more into fictional dimensions created in our heads, escaping from our reality. Apparently, according to us, pretending our problems don’t exist and drowning them out is a completely acceptable way to deal with them. Music provides an effortless route to escapism, creating the perfect vibe and scenario for whatever we wish to feel. It transports us to our desired state of mind, regardless of where our mortal frames exist.

However, music provides us with more than just a means of escape. Be it during rough patches or celebrations, music remains a constant companion through the tapestry of everyday experiences. Music offers a release for emotions and gives the strength to confront our struggles with calm and comfort. Within the eloquent verses and soothing rhythm, we find a sense of solidarity and serenity. It unites us by the sensations and memories we hold. Each of us experiences a range of emotions when listening to music, which gives us a sense of community. Like a universal language, music is a potent memory trigger that reconnects us to particular, long-gone events. As a result of the close connection that music has with memories, feelings, events, and relationships, it has a big impact on our lives.

Akshath – Tu Hai Kya

Akshath Acharya is an indie-pop singer, songwriter, and producer. He is a rising star who built up his fan base through Instagram and Spotify. His work includes ‘Jadoo,’ ‘Khoya,’ ‘Noor,’ ‘Sahaare,’ and ‘Kya Ho Gaya.’ Through his songs, he provides a fresh perspective on emotionally charged situations faced through life. His writing style is youthful and centered around relationships, love, and emotional bonds. The lyrics speak to those who seek emotional stability and a sense of companionship, understanding the value of community and friendships. He beautifully takes us on a journey through the different stages of infatuation, admiration, longing, and love. It perfectly encapsulates the path, the message, and the subdued passion of love.

His song ‘Tu Hai Kya’ emphasizes the impact and effect of relationships in our lives. The lyrics reveal the power our connections have in weaving themselves into the fabric of our lives and emotional being. The lyrics portray an individual in absolute awe of their partner, overwhelmed by the quiet realization of just how deeply their presence touches even the smallest corners of life. The song unveils layers of emotion that resonate not only with the protagonist but also with the listeners. It plays like a heartfelt letter of appreciation to those rare souls who transform our very existence simply by being present. With every line, the song expresses a profound sense of gratitude and contentment for the enduring impact of such presence in our lives.

Saksham Sehgal—Guldaste

Saksham Sehgal is a budding singer and songwriter, known for his romantic ballads with a blend of indie-pop. His songs include ‘Baaki,’ ‘Sirf Tujhse,’ and ‘Guldaste.’ Through his comforting instrumentals and grounding lyrics, he not only gives the message of passion but also evokes the intensity of emotion by use of poetic imagery and rich metaphors. His songs unfold like emotional journeys, beginning with a small seed of feeling that grows into a rich, tangled forest. He makes use of a simple, conversational tone and everyday symbols to mirror emotive bonds. Within his verses, he speaks of lingering attachments of broken bonds, how relationships may end in the physical realm but still stand strong in the spiritual world.

In his song, Guldaste (feat. Karan Chanana & Tanmaya Pant), he communicates the message of healing through togetherness and the serenity found with our beloved. It describes a deep bond where the singer dreams of a shared life, with hopes and wishes tied to the other person. Their presence feels magical, as if carried in by the wind. The lyrics speak of a love that brings peace, yet also sparks the courage to begin again. Together, they imagine opening closed doors, starting new journeys, and writing a story that’s only theirs. The use of the word “guldaste” (meaning a bouquet) is a metaphor for how the singer’s partner brings softness and grace to their life, similar to how a bouquet brightens a room by its very presence.

The Yellow Diary—Aqda

The Yellow Diary is an indie pop-rock band known for blending poetic lyrics with electronic and rock beats. The band comprises Rajan Batra, Himonshu Parikh, Sahil Shah, Harshvardhan Gadhvi,and Stuart DaCosta. The band’s name represents the fusion of light and dark that saturates their music. While “Diary” illustrates the intimate and reflective quality of their songwriting, “Yellow” symbolizes a range of emotions. Their works include singles like Sada and Mujhe Mere Naam Se as well as EPs such as Marz and Izafa. Their music reflects on life in its entirety, the small moments of joy and celebration, as well as the significant trials that cause discomfort but ultimately foster our development.

Their song ‘Aqda’ incites the feeling of nostalgia and the subtle essence of our loved ones in our everyday lives. It harnesses the idea that our mundane routine is embedded with the quiet influence of those precious to us. ‘Aqda’ is an Urdu word meaning “clues,” referring to the “clues” of those close to us in our daily routines. This track shifts our focus from the grand romantic gestures and displays of affection, instead focusing on the not-so-big yet incredibly meaningful parts of what love truly is. Love seeps into our senses, appearing in the most unexpected moments and places. Maybe that elusive, surprising presence is what defines love itself, a quiet force that quietly shapes our experiences, coloring even the smallest details of our lives with significance and warmth.  

These musicians do a wonderful job of providing their listeners with a sense of connection and emotional safety. Their lyrics provide expression to the softness of their listeners’ hearts and make listeners feel seen, understood, and consoled.

Today, on May 1st, anticipating the expansion and growth of India’s entertainment and media platform, the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) was launched. The event is held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai from May 1-4.

On the first day of WAVES, many tracks were released that sent a message of regard, respect and patriotism across borders to the Global world. It aims to make a positive change and do something incredible by bringing countries together in an interwoven fabric of different cultures, unity in diversity and a goal of progress.

Of the various music tracks released, the “Shubhaarambh” song brings peace in our culture. It sends a message of us as one big family in this world, whilst the “Symphony of India” captures India’s rich heritage and comprises various beautiful notes that come together to create music to which people worldwide can relate. From the snow-capped Himalayas to the sun-kissed beaches down south, India is attractive in many different colours, textures, sights and flavours.

The song “Ooncha Asmaan,” by the well-known singer Shankar Mahadevan and the well-known poet Prasoon Joshi, expresses a desire for wings, so that, with determination, we can rise higher in our progress toward fullness. It represents that, with determination, we will achieve our dreams together. “Ooncha Asmaan” suggests redefining the connectivity of technology and the innovations that India has been contributing to the world; when we reach for the sky, the messages are expanding and further *asman* of progress.

India is experiencing distinct and conspicuous progress and establishing its footprint in all dimensions, like science, arts, media, comedy, and all aspects of technology.

This historical anthem and many others tell a powerful account of India’s cultural” canon” and celebrate the country’s journey of success and joy.

As we transition through the rapidly shifting world of technological advances, we may lose sight of the fact that actual progress lies in our preference for peace, love, and connections. As changes are felt like waves taking us in new directions, to new heights, and into new horizons, we should hold our identity and not part with the treasure that it takes collective effort to own. Treasure the unity that binds us, the truth that can lead us, and the love that holds us all.

 The precious treasure of our shared humanity can help point us down the road to a future prosperous with peace and prosperity, where our cultural differences are seen as a source of strength.

In the excellent orchestra of life, let us all play as an orchestra, full of compassion, empathy, and kindness. Let us always turn to the same ocean waves that have shaped our shores. The waves  remind us how to move forward while teaching us the critical value of adaptability, resilience, and harmony.

The event features many popular and renowned actors, singers, and filmmakers, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Ektaa R. Kapoor, Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Diljit Dosanjh, Anil Kapoor, Hema Malini, Sanjay Dutt, and A.R. Rahman.

The goal for WAVES (2025) is to bring people from different sectors and disciplines together and connect their knowledge and experiences to support the development of India’s creativity. The event’s sole purpose is to foster collaborations, from industry to movement, and work towards bringing recognition and attention to the talent and artistry of India while establishing our identity as a global centre for content and media publishing.

The event consists of a roundtable of the Prime Minster which involved a high-level discussion with global industry leaders and media CEOs on ways to help grow India’s media and entertainment industry, alongside the WAVES exhibition which was a showcase of the media industry’s achievements and accomplishments, advancements in technology, and new storytelling methods which focused on the latest trends and developments. The WAVES bazaar also gave content creators and companies an opportunity to meet and interact with buyers and sellers globally. Another event, the WAVEX Accelerator, included mentorship and funding opportunities for startups and used these elements to promote growth.

This World Music Day, we bring you some indie artists to expand your playlist and introduce and embrace art and new artists of India.

“i will never be bad” by Ananya Sharma

“i will never be bad again” is a self-composed song by Ananya Sharma which was released in 2022. Ananya Sharma, based in Mumbai, India, apart from being a talented singer is also a composer and bandleader of Funan and Gang. She’s a storyteller most of all. She writes them to music. 

Her song, ‘I will never be bad again’ is one of her many stories, this one revolving around her childhood. It revolves around growing up as a child, which is a unique and individual experience for all of us. In her song, she writes and sings about some difficult patches of life that she had to face alone and probably scarred her for a long time. However, her song, or as she likes to call it, her story sung to her music is not about talking about these scars. Instead, it’s about moving past them and embracing the new and possibly better version of herself. 

Her story transforms from being so ashamed of herself that she can’t even look at herself to exploring and loving herself to the extent that she has found the courage to never be bad again because she will never feel the need to. “I could turn to dust/ I could slowly fade/ I could be my own person/  I could wait.” Life is not easy and in the path of it, we all stumble here and there but it also does not end there. To move forward is the very essence of it. To live it fully, as Ananya does, you need to let go of some things and reach out to others.

Bless Ya Heels by Tribe Mama Marykali

If you’ve always enjoyed listening to Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Little Mix and the more women who sing powerful songs about women, then this one’s for you. Tribe Mama Maryakai aka Katharina Valayil, is a Malyali singer who grew up in Nigeria. Her music celebrates women of color with a lot of sass with the undertone of the seriousness of the message she wants to put across. Her music celebrates womanhood in all its various forms. 

Through her music, she is rebelling against the structures that label women and put them in a box. With catchy beats and addictive lyrics, she’s using her platform and art to talk about the serious issues with regard to the historical oppression of women. The lyrics of Bless Ya Heels, “Wash your feet in the rain and pray/Before you move towards my temple/ Bless ya heels/ You stand on sacred ground…I am a Star of Venus/ I am Goddess witch/ Badass bitch…Tribe mama from the core/Am diggin’ in the core now!” channel the divine womanhood of women of color that is mostly neglected.

Mutual by Ranj X Clifr 

Ranjani Ramadoss is a musician from Chennai, India. Her journey started with two bands Kelvikkuri (jazz fusion) and Paula & the Associates (Neo-soul/pop). Now, she’s started her new project called RANJ which she launched in 2021. Her music is either English or Tamil and conveys different stories and themes. In her song, Mutual, she explores the difficult stage of a relationship when it doesn’t feel right. Each human relationship is complex and requires different things, approaches, and behaviors to be successful. A lot of times, the comfortable state of a relationship is hard to let go of. Ranjani explores the same with her lyrics, “Just because it’s comfortable/ Don’t mean that it’s suitable/ Think that its agreeable/ It don’t feel like home at all”

ILY by Shane (Prod. by Searcy & StephC Baby)

ILY by Shane is the right music for you if you find yourself listening to catchy beats and groovy music. It’s not heavy on the lyrics and easy to vibe to and will definitely make it to your everyday playlist. Shane is a singer, songwriter, and musician based in Shillong, India. Most of his music is of R&B Soul and Hip Hop genre. The catchy beats and lyrics that hit home make his music something that you should be checking out ASAP.

sophomore sweetheart – sunflower tape machine

sophomore sweetheart by sunflower tape machine sounds and feels exactly like its name. It will transport you to the first year or young days of your college life. The music makes you feel the nostalgia of exploring new things, new people, new places, and new experiences all for the first time. It feels like a trance of the young days where you can easily lose yourself. What adds to this feeling is the music video which is various clips combined in a film format that prompts you to see it as if you’re watching your own life reeling through the camera.  Aryaman Singh from Chennai is the founder of the experimental project, sunflower tape machine which is all about analog synth sounds inspired by the 80s and dreamy chords.

Mona Lisa Smile by Gouri and Aksha

What started as a musical theatre show for Aladdin in Mumbai is now a band of two, Gouri and Aksha. Gouri was a budding singer from Kerala when she met Aksha from Punjab in Mumbai. The duo started their journey with Instagram videos but today are successful with shows in Japan and the USA. Their music is a blend of their voices harmonizing together. Their song, Mona Lisa Smile is a mix of jazz and pop and leaves a calming effect on you. The music and the lyrics are the kinds you sway along to and vibe in peace on a rainy day with a book and a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. They are also there on Prateek Kuhad’s album Shehron Ke Raaz.

Itne Pyaar Se (Thoda Darr Lagta Hai) by Sanjeeta Bhattacharya x Tanmaya Bhatnagar

Love feels great to embrace but with great love comes the fear of losing it too. Sanjeeta Bhattacharya and Tanmaya Bhatnagar’s Itne Pyaar Se (Thoda Darr Lagta Hai) is a beautiful song about the many complexities that come with romantic relationships and how various couples embrace them. The lyrics, “Itne pyaar se/ Bhi thoda dar lagta hai/ Tere saath par, yeh darr bhi, acha lagta hai”, in their very raw form tell the stories and emotions each one of us goes through when in love. 

The music video, apt to the lyrics, portrays relationships and couples that are flawed and nowhere perfect to the dreamy lands of rom-com. In its true essence, the song is a raw exploration of what love feels like. The song closes with “Roke rukta nahi, dil beparvah lagta hai/ Bujhe bujhta nahi, dil lau jaise jalta hai” which tells the real tale of most love stories and what emotions people feel when in love.

Songs can make and break a mood. That’s the power the right kind of music holds against us. When you’re the main character in your life it’s not easy to always find the right music for the right feeling. Mostly because you lack a music producer in your life, unlike the movies. Hence, we decided to take on the role of this famed music producer and give you a few suggestions that you can hopefully add to your playlist to add the right melody from soft to raspy to this movie on life and make it a little less dull. 

Song: Missing Pages by Shehzan Mehta, Zaisha, Reet Shah

Are you feeling melancholic? Looking for a song to accompany your soul as you feel some of the saddest moments of your life? Then this song is for you. With a soothing piano melody and soft and comforting voices echoing each second, this song will give you the space you deserve to feel all those emotions and move on at your own pace—a song for days when you need someone to let you cry and nudge you forward. 

Song: Behno Do by Sanjana Devarajana 

Remember the time when you wanted to get up so badly but it seemed like the whole world was against it? For times like that, this song is a perfect addition to your playlist as it instills the faith that you lost in yourself. With a soft melody that builds up to an empowering one combined with the melodious voice of Sanjana, there is no way you will stay beaten down for long.

Song: Void by Aanchal Bordoloi

Feeling a little blue but tired of soft and pop voices to cheer you up? If you’re looking for something indie with a husky voice to tell you that you’re not alone and that they’ve got you and you can let it out, then Aanchal Bordoloi must be added to your playlist, this instant. Reminding us all about the beauty of yearning for someone with her guitar and raspy voice, Aanchal serenades us into another world with Void.

Song: Roses by Kalpana

Whenever we pick roses it’s the thorns that worry us the most. It almost always makes us forget how beautiful the rose truly is just like love. A song to remind you how beautiful love can be if you just let it in, Kalpana manages to take you on an aural as well as visual trip with her song with Roses. The soft musical accompaniment is the perfect addition to her comforting breathy voice that is bound to remind you about the soft touches of kind love. 

Song: Sunday by Aditya A & Naalayak

Do you relate to Garfield a lot and just can’t stand Mondays, and hope that the Sunday last forever? Well, you’re not the only one thinking like that as Aditya & Naalayak released a song dedicated to this amazing relaxed day that they just keep hoping never ends. A relatable song with a chill melody, this song is the perfect addition to your “take it easy playlist”.  

Hope these song suggestions help you navigate your life a little better than yesterday! 

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.