British-Indian singer Avina Shah on her new single with Chris Gayle
British Indian singer Avina Shah has collaborated with Chris Gayle for a new dance track, but originally the West Indies cricket superstar wanted to do a remix of her 2018 track, Playboy.
“A mutual friend thought it would be a great idea for us to do a song together. I was introduced to Chris over a phone call while I was in Greece recently. Our friend had shown him some of my previous songs and Chris liked the East-West sound in my music and originally wanted to do a remix of my track ‘Playboy’,” Avina told.
“We got talking about doing a song together and creating something different by adding the Caribbean flavour to my sound, by mixing India, the UK and Jamaica to create something unique. I don’t think this has been done before in anything I’ve heard, so I was really excited about the project,” she added.
British-Indian singer Avina Shah on her new single with Chris Gayle
Talking about the song “Groove”, she shared that it is a track she created long before the pandemic.
“I had huge plans for 2020 musically and it was due to be one of my future dance releases. However, the pandemic put a halt on a lot of my musical plans for this year. The song is all about dance, about letting your hair down and letting your body naturally groove to the beats,” she said.
Chris Gayle: Music comes naturally to me.
Are there more collaborations in the future?
“You can expect some surprises coming up with my future music as I always like to try new sounds and challenge myself as an artiste. I will be working with some interesting artistes and brands, so stay tuned,” she said.
Armaan Malik: Stripped-down version of 'Control' a special gift for fans images
Singer Armaan Malik has dedicated the new stripped-down version of his English song, Control, to his fans.
The singer-songwriter has unveiled the home shot music video on his YouTube channel.
“It’s just amazing to see how much depth a single song has when you take out all the production and simply stick to the core, the heart of it – the lyrics,” said Armaan.
Armaan Malik: Stripped-down version of ‘Control’ a special gift for fans images
“This stripped-down version of ‘Control’ is a special gift for all my fans who have been waiting to hear it ever since I teased it on the eve of my birthday,” added the singer, who celebrated his birthday in July.
Armaan’s first international single, “Control”, released earlier his year and has been streamed more than 35 million times across platforms.
Desi Raag, like any other patriotic song tells us the story of struggles our country had gone through to open the door of freedom and let the air of joy blow on us. Songs in general can create unique emotions in you but songs of patriotism can make you overwhelmed with all those emotions …. Reports Asian Lite News
When everyone celebrates the day of nonviolence, let’s not forget the sacrifice of our soldiers who lost their life in the wars. This is the theme for Yousaf Lensman’s latest musical album ‘Desi Raag’ which is dedicated to brave Indian soldiers on 2nd October.
The album is a soulful song of unity, brotherhood and our longing for a peaceful world. Fayiz Muhammad and Yousaf Lensman together bestowed this musical album, a tribute to the brave soldiers of India.
The voice over has been done by renowned Malayalam actor Padma Shri Bharath Mohanlal and the famous Malayalam actress Manju Warrier. Actor Rahman officially launched the album in four languages- English, Hindi, Malayalam
The song portraying unity in patriotism and the diversity in our culture begins with the voice over by Manju Warrier – “Our nation has achieved the independence of 74 years through sacrifices of freedom fighters and we hold them to heart with much respect”. You can feel your heart beating up so fast to the rhythm of the song as it brings to your mind the memories of the martyrs of war. It could be the moment of realisation of your own blessed belonging with the country.
Desi Raag, like any other patriotic song tells us the story of struggles our country had gone through to open the door of freedom and let the air of joy blow on us. Songs in general can create unique emotions in you but songs of patriotism can make you overwhelmed with all those emotions.
“Wish not to witness again the enduring and scorching pain of begetters who has lost their young ones. May their wails and tears not haunt our dreams. We know you are all dying and we are still living”, the visual and musical treat ends with the narration of Mohanlal.
The lyrics are penned by B. K Harinarayanan, Fousiya Abubakar, Vallavan Annadurai and Shaji Chundan. Shoukath Lensman is both the creative head and director of the album which is a tribute to the chivalrous soldiers who are the saviours of our nation. Desi Raag is the first musical album which is released using virtual reality facility.
The song is sung by famous singers Afzal, Vaishnav Girish (Indian Idol Fame), Ishan Dev, and Meril Ann Mathew in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and English. Meril, who specializes in Carnatic Western music under the tutelage of renowned music teachers Shankar Das and Abhilash and she is best known for her numerous stage shows and albums.
Meril Ann Mathew, 11, is daughter of Manoj Mathew and Nisha Varghese. She belongs to the Arrackel family of Alakode-Kannur. She is a 6th Grade student at Birla Public School, Doha-Qatar. She has been studying classical music for the past five years and also acquired talents in dance, violin and keyboard. She has sung on numerous albums, performed many stage shows and won various music and dance competitions.
The song reminds us: “It’s time to end all the wars and build a world of peace and love. No more wars, no more tears. No more walls, let’s break them all. Let’s end this bloodshed forever for the sake of humanity’’.
Remo D'souza had 'amazing, very safe shoot' with Geeta Kapur, Terence Lewis.
Remo D’Souza music video.
Filmmaker-choreographer Remo D’Souza was happy to return to a film set after the lockdown hiatus — that too to shoot a music video in Goa.
Remo and his team of dancers put on their dancing shoes for the video of “Log kya kahenge” last week, and he says the experience of shooting amid the new normal was “exhilarating”. The video features Remo with dancing stars Punit Pathak, Dharmesh Yelande, Rahul Shetty, Abhinav Shekhar, Salman Yusuff Khan and Sushant.
Remo D’souza had ‘amazing, very safe shoot’ with Geeta Kapur, Terence Lewis.
“It was exhilarating to return to a working set after a long time. The experience was a little different but the energy and enthusiasm to put on our dancing shoes for the camera again, following the pause in our work lives, was unmatched. Hope the audience enjoys the song as much as we enjoyed making it,” said Remo.
The song is written, sung and composed by Abhinav Shekhar.
According to the producer of the video, Mahesh Kukreja, all government-mandated protocols were in place during the shooting, including proper sanitisation, temperature check and a compulsory Covid-19 test for all crew members.
Remo also shot two other songs in Goa. While one video features Siddharth Gupta and Karishma Sharma, the second was filmed on Salman Yusuf and Shakti Mohan.
Celebrated Grammy-nominated singer, Falu Shah, together with her Boston-based band ‘Karyshma’ has launched their latest collection ‘Someday’. An EP of traditional Indian classical, folk, and Sufi songs; these renditions of traditional Hindustani music celebrate the unity and oneness that is ‘India’, at a time of uncertainty and universal distress.
Falu, who is the band’s lead singer-songwriter, along with her other band members told. “The unprecedented times that we are currently going through – the bleakness – inspired us to bring back and spread love through ‘Someday’. In spite of the band residing on two different coasts, we didn’t want the geographical inconsistencies to get in the way of our inspiration.”
They added: “Creativity takes courage, and with this album our effort is to shed some light of hope during the current pandemic and bring a smile to the face of our beloved audience.”
“The songs you hear on this album represent my childhood memories when I resorted to music for solace and comfort. In 31 days across six different cities we, Falu and Karyshma, tried to capture that feeling. I hope you hear the voice of hope and calmness in this album,” shared Falu.
With ‘Someday’, the band reimagines South Asia’s musical traditions – from classical ragas to the 15th century song-and-dance stylings of thumri, and the ghazals of Sufi mystics dating back to the 7th century. Drawing from more recent times, the band reconstructs ‘Yara’ – a classic from Indian Cinema’s golden age.
In order to provide context to ‘Someday’, the band has also put together a visual which features footage of life and culture in India, interspersed with insights on the music of ‘Someday’, it is available to watch on YouTube. You can also catch it on Spotify and Apple Music.
Lata Mangeshkar turned 91 on Monday, and celebrities took to social media to greet the living legend.
Actress Kangana Ranaut tweeted: “Wishing legendary #LataMangeshkar ji a very Happy Birthday, some people do what they do with such single mindedness and absolute focus that they don’t only excel in their work but also become synonymous to what they do. Bowing down to one such glorious Karma Yogi.”
Singer Shankar Mahadevan called Lata Mangeshkar “Maa Saraswati”.
“Happiest Birthday Ma Saraswati ! Please bless us and keep blessing us musicians so that we work hard and strive for excellence !! Loads of love,” Mahadevan wrote on Instagram.
Mumbai: Singer Lata Mangeshkar during the Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Purashkar in Mumbai on April 24, 2017. (Photo: IANS)
Shreya Ghoshal posted throwback pictures of Lata Mangeshkar and wrote: “My pranaams to Swar Samragyi Ma Saraswati #LataMangeshkar ji on her 91st Birthday.”
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar shared that he listens to Lata Mangeshkar’s songs almost every day. “Wishing a very Happy Birthday to @mangeshkarlata didi, the voice that touches every heart, Not a single day in my life goes without listening to your songs. May Lord Ganesh bless you with long and healthy life,” Bhandarkar tweeted.
“#HappyBirthdayLataMangeshkar,” wrote actor Riteish Deshmukh, wishing the melody queen in Marathi.
Mangeshkar started her career at the age of 13 with the song “Naachu ya gade, khelu saari, mani haus bhaari…” for Marathi film “Kiti Hasaal” (1942). The 1989 Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient has sung in mpore than a thousand Hindi films and recorded in over 36 Indian and foreign languages. She has sung mainly in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and Assamese.
In 2001, she was awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, and has so far been the recipient of three National Film Awards, besides numerous popular awards.
Her younger sister, playback icon Asha Bhosle, shared a slice of childhood memory on the occasion. Bhosle tweeted a black and white picture of the Mangeshkar sisters — Lata, Usha and Meena along with her.
“Birthday Greetings to Lata Didi who is 91 today. Remembering our childhood days through this picture where Didi can be seen seated left and Meena Tai and I are seen standing behind her,” she tweeted alomng with the picture, where Lata is seen sitting on a chair in a saree.
Wishes from celebrities continued pouring in all of Monday. “Everytime I hear your voice it brings out so many emotions. Lata didi, wishing you a healthy, safe and blessed year ahead,” Madhuri Dixit Nene wrote on Instagram Story.
“Happy birthday Lata didi,” Ayushmann Khurrana posted on Instagram Story, adding with his post a clip of Lata Mangeshkar’s evergreen hit “Piya tose naina laaga re”, from the 1965 film, “Guide”
PM Wishes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed birthday wishes to legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, saying “I consider myself fortunate to have always received her affection and blessings”.
In a short telephonic conversation, the Prime Minister prayed for her long and healthy life. “Spoke to respected Lata Didi and conveyed birthday greetings to her. Praying for her long and healthy life. Lata Didi is a household name across the nation. I consider myself fortunate to have always received her affection and blessings,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Lata Mangeshkar is one of the best-known and respected playback singers in the country.
Born on September 28, 1929, she has been awarded the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan awards.
Shivamani on Amitabh Bachchan singing his composition in 'Atkan Chatkan'.
Sivamani.
Renowned percussionist Shivamani made his debut as a film music director with the recent OTT release, Atkan Chatkan, and among his glittering line-up of playback singers was screen icon Amitabh Bachchan.
He says he could only think of Bachchan’s voice after composing the song “Daata shakti de” for the film, to bring alive the number’s spiritual, motivational and inspirational tone.
“I have to mention how the whole song happened and why Mr Bachchan sir. We wanted to create a song that goes beyond a religious song and be more of a spiritual, motivational, inspirational song. Especially the crisis that we have been through in the last few months, we need music that makes us stand up, motivate to fight and not give up. ‘Daata shakti de’ came from that thought,” the master percussionist told.
While composing, he thought of Amitabh Bachchan “because for so many decades, even right now, at this very moment, he is an inspiration for people across the country”.
Actor Amitabh Bachchan. (File Photo: IANS)
“To try my luck, I had a word with him and sent the song to him with a request if he would like to lend his voice,” he said, adding: “I cannot emphasise enough how lucky I felt that he heard the composition and very happily sung the song for us. He is a very good singer, I would say.”
“I would also like to mention that he did not charge any money! It was the same thing with Hariharan anna and Sonu Nigam ji (other leading singers who recorded for the film), because, again, they are also some of the greatest talents of the nation. But they were so generous with me that they lent their voice because they believed in the song and the story of the film,” Shivamani noted.
The song is written by Runaa Rizvii Shivamani who, incidentally, made her debut as a film lyricist with the number.
“This was my first written song, composed by Shivamani and sung by Amitabh Bachchan. I could not have asked for more. Initially, some prominent lyricist was supposed to write the song but since they were occupied and could not accommodate time, Shiv ji said why not me,” recalled Runaa.
She added: “Being a singer and coming from a musical family, I always had a flair of writing in Hindi and Urdu. But I am a vocalist, and had never written anything professionally. So I wasn’t sure. However, everything fell in place and the song came out right.”
The film is on a 12-year-old chai delivery boy named Guddu, whose passion is to observe, listen and create new sounds. Rising beyond his daily mundane life, he forms a band with three other street children.
Shivamani on Amitabh Bachchan singing his composition in ‘Atkan Chatkan’.
The film featured child pianist Lydian Nadhaswaram, who is also a protege of music maestro AR Rahman, who has presented the film.
Asked about his reunion with Rahman for the film, Shivamani replied: “Rahman is my brother, what do you mean by reuniting? We are always exchanging (ideas), and have never lost touch. Yes, the intention behind the film was to celebrate dreams. Most web series and shows online are very toxic in nature. He was very happy to watch the film, and that is why decided to present the film. Rahman met me when he was 10 years old, and I am just a couple of years elder to him. In a way, we have grown up as friends, together. He is family.”
Benny Dayal's new song reminds we are all rockstars of our lives.
Benny Dayal’s new song reminds we are all rockstars of our lives.
Singer Benny Dayal feels the world needs a dose of positivity, and he hopes his latest track Jee le does the trick.
For the song, Benny has collaborated with composer Raajeev V. Bhalla.
“When I was approached by Raajeev for this song, I was game to work with him immediately because I have personally been a fan of his music. Moreover, the world needs a dose of positivity and hope. We may not have everything right now but we all have something to be grateful for, so the song reminds you to focus on that, and to remember that we are all rockstars of our own lives,” Benny said.
To this, Bhalla added: “Benny and I thought the message of, ‘live in the moment, my friend, this is all we got.. Zindagi ka tu rockstar’, is much needed today. We cannot keep worrying all the time and even lose the joy we have right now. We must live big, shine bright and soar high, no matter what the lows.”
Benny Dayal’s new song reminds we are all rockstars of our lives.
For the video, singers Vishal Dadlani, Salim Merchant, Armaan Malik, Shalmali Kholgade, Armaan Malik, Aditya Narayan, Jonita Gandhi, Shilpa Rao, Aditi Singh Sharma, Divya Kumar, Shruti Pathak, Siddhart Mahadevan, Mihir Joshi, Arunaja, Kamakshi Khanna, Lisa Mishra, Nikita Gandhi, Sangeet/Anusha, Shashwat Singh, Saptak Chatterjee, and Shefali Alvarez also sent in self-recorded clips to share the uplifting message of the song.
Beishqi Galiyaan
Benny Dayal and Shefali Alvares have recorded a new romantic track.
Titled “Beishqi galiyaan”, the song is set around a boy who has given his lovergirl 13 flowers — 12 real and one fake, telling her that he will love her till the last one withers away.
“Shefali is an extremely talented artiste. It was a great experience working with her. This song is a love number that gives you all the ‘feels’ in the world,” gushed Benny.
Shefali was equally effusive in praise of her colleague, and super thrilled to finally get a chance to sing a love song with “one of my closest friends and fellow singer, Benny Dayal”.
Benny Dayal’s new song reminds we are all rockstars of our lives.
“I’m so happy as he decided to share his musicality with me on this song, which has been composed by Prateek Gandhi. This song is about love that has no boundaries, no thoughts, no expectations. It is just pure love,” she added.
She is happy with how the video turned out.
“This was shot during the lockdown directed by one of my oldest friends Kristy de Cunha. My video
Maxime Zecchini: A French marvel in left-hand piano repertoire
Maxime Zecchini: A French marvel in left-hand piano repertoire
French classical pianist Maxime Zecchini, who is among the handful of musicians all over the globe to practise the ‘left hand repertoire’ and play works with just five fingers, as opposed to both the hands, says that it is a delight to share this music with his audience.
“I had discovered this repertoire 20 years ago playing the most famous pieces for the left hand, the Concerto of Maurice Ravel. I did some research on the internet and I have seen that there are a lot of works for the left hand, about 600 pieces. And very few recordings.
“So, I have proposed a discographic label to record the first and unique Anthology in the world for the left hand with 10 CD’s. I have already recorded 8 discs and the complete anthology will be available at the end of 2021. I have recorded a lot of musical styles inside this CD’s: classical music, contemporary music, chamber’s music, concertos with orchestra, film music, etc,” Zecchini, born in 1979, told in an email.
About his repertoire, he says, “the wonder of having the impression of hearing two hands when only five fingers were playing fascinated me. These pieces demonstrate the immense possibilities of the left hand. Thanks to the arrangement of left-hand fingers, its natural flexibility, and the powerful register in the bass of the keyboard, it can even make the piano sound like an orchestra! I am very happy to be able to discover the undeniable poetic richness of this original, virtuoso, and spectacular repertoire.”
Zecchini had completed his 15-day India tour in India in 2016, where he demonstrated the not just the unique repertoire but his masterful skill at it.
Asked how big of a community do left-handed pianists make, the musician says: “We are just three or four pianists in the world to play these works. It’s a delight for me to share this music with the audience, who are always curious and enthusiastic.”
Maxime Zecchini: A French marvel in left-hand piano repertoire
After spending a lot of time at my home without concerts and travels due to COVID-19, Zecchini will also play in front of an audience in Barcelona, Spain, in a concert. Here, he says he will be performing French compositions of Debussy, Ravel, Michel Legrand and other famous French songs.
What are his thoughts on cultural exchanges via music? “I love cultural exchanges via music. For example, when I played in India some years ago, I discovered the music of Bollywood with a lot of beautiful songs. It was totally new for me and this music is very beautiful and romantic! I have listened to these songs on YouTube and written an arrangement for my concert which made the audience very emotional. It’s very enriching for me to discover new melodies and new ways of expressing artistically.”
He concludes by saying that he finds Indian music very romantic and melodious. “I don’t know very well the Indian music for piano and keyboard but I hope with all my heart to discover and listen to a lot of beautiful pieces if I have the chance to play again in India.”
The award-winning pianist is slated to make his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York in April 2021.
The actors have come together for the video by music producer Priya Hebbar, who goes by the name Faynyx as an artiste.
“Freedom is an entirely personal concept that each individual can experience only through the lens they have and the circumstances they are in,” Jim said, adding: “I really enjoyed discussing freedom and what it means to me with the composer and the director and the rest of the team.”
Talking about his definition of freedom and his thoughts about the lockdown, Jim said: “My conception of freedom is not shaken by any one external event, but (it is) more the sum effects of every single external event, and internal biological function.”
“But people probably felt listless and irritable (during lockdown) because their usual responsibilities were taken away. They don’t realise how these responsibilities are the actual ways they find meaning in life. I just tried to give myself new responsibilities. I loved the lockdown,” he added.
On “Freedom Dance”, Bani said: “My interpretation of freedom is to be in a space where judgement, second guessing, resentment — none of that exists, where none of that has any sort of hold over my present moment.
“The global forced lockdown has been a lot of things for people — in terms of their perceptions with freedom. For someone who loves to travel, I discovered so much creativity in my own self, and the spaces available to me,” she added.
Faynyx feels “these unprecedented times have proven that freedom is a state of mind”.
