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.

Dance is a language that brings people together regardless of their varying cultural backgrounds. With its many forms and variations, this form of art is highly expressive and holds the power to convey the stories and emotions of the dancer without conveying them in words. This International Dance Day, let’s look at a few Indian dancers to celebrate their art form.

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Dance Cover by Nivi and Ishanvi, Laasya

Niveditha and Ishanvi Hegde are a mom-and-daughter dancing duo with moves that are a sight to behold. They’ve done dance covers of multiple trendy songs that you can learn for your next sangeet performance or simply watch for an upbeat mood. In this dance cover of the latest song, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya by Asees Kaur, Raghav featuring Nelly, and Tanishk Bagchi, the duo shows off their expressive and playful moves.

Malhar Jam Dance Cover

Devi Nair and Rachna Jayachandran are classical Kathak dancers from Kerala. They portray the traditional and classical dance styles and values of Indian culture. This dance cover of Malhar Jam by Coke Studio India is a self-choreographed dance. Their mesmerising moves and expressions make it perfect for any classical dance lover.

Cheraw Dance at Anthurium Festival 2013

India is the world’s largest and most diverse nation, making it extremely rich in cultures. While many cultures have travelled borders and reached worldwide audiences, many remain exotic, even to Indians, due to minority sections in the country. One such dance is the Cheraw dance. The Cheraw dance is the exotic traditional mass bamboo folk dance of Mizoram. This dance is performed at the Anthurium Festival every year, which the state government of Mizoram organises to encourage Anthurium cultivation.

Garba Fusion by Kathak Rockers

With the growing modernisation and experimentalism, many dance forms also modernise themselves for a more relatable touch. This is popularly known as a fusion dance. In this dance cover by Kathak Rockers, Sushil Patil’s choreography is traditional Gujrati Garba with a Bollywood touch and Kathak. You can get some moves from this fantastic dance group for your next Garba night and show them to your friends and family.

Barso Re Dance Cover by Nritya Troops Nepal

Barso Re is a famous Bollywood song by A. R. Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal, and Uday Mazumdar from the movie Guru. It is a perfect song for those monsoon days, and what makes it even better is this dance cover by the Nepalese dance group Nritya Troops Nepal. Their moves are energetic and enthusiastic, with a slight touch of Indian classical dances. The dance and their colourful outfits also share a remarkable resemblance with Bollywood dancers.

O Re Piya Dance Cover by Alisa Gurova

Self-choreographed dance by Alisa Gurova, this dance cover of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s O Re Piya is a beautiful sight to please anyone. Alisa, in her dance, beautifully incorporates belly dance in tribal Indian dance form, making it a mesmerising fusion for the audience. It also shows her creativity, vision, and versatility as a dancer and a choreographer. What adds more to the eye-pleasing value is Katya Rybka’s majestic location and directionfor this performance of O Re Piya. 

Kashmir Folk Dance in Sydney

Kashmir is located in the northernmost part of India and is often considered to be paradise on earth due to the breathtaking beauty of its luscious valleys, lakes, and landscapes. Recently, during the visit of Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, the community reception in Sydney, Australia presented a beautiful dance performance by Kashmiris. It is a Kashmiri folk dance showcasing their traditions and cultures.

Dalkhai, The Folk Dance of Odisha by Gunjan

Dalkhai is the traditional folk dance of Odisha. This dance performance is from Odia Parba Nuakhai or Navakhai, an agricultural festival. It is mainly celebrated in Western Odisha and Southern Chhattisgarh to welcome the new crops and rice of the season. This dance by Gunjan Dance Academy perfectly represents traditional Odisha and its culture.

From figurative to abstraction, Ram Kumar, a luminary in India’s artistic cosmos, is a beacon of inspiration, revolutionising the canvas with his abstract strokes. Born in 1924, Ram Kumar’s journey from the corridors of academia to the bustling street of Paris and finally to the serene landscapes of Varanasi captures a profound evolution in both his art style and thematic preoccupations.

Ram Kumar was drawn into the art world due to a chance encounter with an exhibition at the Sarada Ukil School of Art while pursuing his Master’s in Economics at St Stephen’s College in 1945. He enrolled in evening classes at the art school under the guidance of artist Sailoz Mookherjea. Kumar started to hone his skills in still-life portrait painting, gradually transitioning to capture the urban decay and human condition of Delhi and Shimla through his paintings. During his formative years, Kumar’s art reflected a vibrant energy, often depicting scenes of everyday life juxtaposed with deeper existential themes. His works, such as “Why Can’t I Sleep” and “Oppression”, reflected the underlying social and political currents shaping post-independence India.

In 1948, Ram Kumar’s artistic journey took a significant turn when he joined a Hindi daily newspaper as a journalist trainee and crossed paths with artist J. Swaminathan. This encounter solidified his commitment to art, and began a lifelong friendship with fellow artists such as S.H Raza, F.N. Souza and K.H.Ara. The year 1949 witnessed Ram Kumar’s first solo exhibition in Shimla, where his paintings caught the eye of Dr Zakir Hussain, the then Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University. Inspired by the early success, Kumar embarked on a journey of artistic enlightenment to Paris.

With its rich cultural tapestry, Paris was a crucible for Kumar’s artistic evolution. Under the tutelage of renowned artist Andre Lhote, Kumar delved into the work of lines, curves and colours, imbuing his works with a newfound dynamism inspired by the works of radicals like Louis Aragon and Roger Garaudy, as well as encounters with luminaries like Pablo Neruda, Kumar’s art began to reflect a deeper engagement with human emotions and societal realities. The years spent in Paris were transformative for Kumar, artistically and ideologically. His encounters with the works of Courbet, Rouault, Kathe Kollwits and Edward Hopper instilled in him a deep appreciation and sensitivity to the human experience, which would manifest in his later works.

When he returned to India, Kumar was drawn to the ancient city of Varanasi, where he encountered a land brimming with spiritual fervour and existential angst. The stark contrast between the city’s vibrant rituals and its silent decaying structures became a recurring motif in Kumar’s art.

The 1960s marked a watershed moment in Kumar’s artistic career as he transitioned from figurative to abstract expressionism. His “Grey Period” changed from vivid colours to muted tones reflecting the sad realities of human suffering and mortality. His cityscapes of Varanasi, rendered in Cubist aerial views, symbolised the existential angst that permeated his work. Kumar’s later works continued to explore Varanasi’s spiritual and existential dimensions, albeit with a newfound sense of transcendence. His “Benaras Series”, characterised by ethereal blues and a sense of collective spirituality, captured the city’s timeless allure while evoking a deep sense of human emotion and longing.

In retrospect, Ram Kumar’s artistic journey is a testament to the transformative power of exploration and introspection. From his early realist works depicting the bustling streets of Delhi to, his later abstract compositions inspired by the charisma of Varanasi, Kumar’s art transcends boundaries and speaks to the universal human experience.

In a world marked by constant change and upheaval, Ram Kumar’s timeless artworks serve as poignant reminders of the enduring power of art to reflect, provoke and inspire. As we navigate the complexities of modern existence, may we find solace and enlightenment in the enduring legacy of artists like Ram Kumar, whose abstract brushstrokes continue to resonate across time and space.

Classical dance is always associated with femininity and women. Whenever male dancers get on stage to do their classical pieces they are ridiculed to no end. Putting an end to this ridicule and humiliation here is our list of male Indian classical dancers who are ready to break the stigma around male Indian classical dancers and show the world how they too can be graceful and still be a man.

Kathak Rockers by Kumar Sharma

Combining yin and yang energy and exuding elegance with each step, Kumar Sharma’s performance is bound to leave you in awe. The simple costume helps the viewers to focus more on his expressions and mudras. Never missing a beat, Kumar Sharma’s YouTube page is a must-view page for any Kathak lovers. This male Indian classical dancer breaks the stigma against male classical dancers by not shying away from letting himself shine on stage.

Ardhanarishvara Ashtakam by Vinay Tiwari

Vinay Tiwari perfectly executed a Bharatnatyam number that relies heavily on slow movements. Broadcasted on DD Bharati this dance captured the attention of millions because of Tiwari’s perfectly timed expressions. The costumes and the makeup add a layer of drama to the performance. This male Indian classical dancer breaks the stigma against male classical dancers by not being afraid to slow down and take his time to highlight each move at a time rather than rushing through it.

Ami Je Tomar by Rohit Gijare

Who said Manjulika can be the only one to rock a pair of ghungroos and sway to “Ami Je Tomar”? Many female dancers recreated this iconic dance number from the film Bhool Bhooliya so it was about time a male Indian classical dancer gave his take on the same. And Rohit Gijare does exactly that. Never missing a beat or an expression he manages to keep the viewer’s attention till the last minute. This male Indian classical dancer breaks the stigma against male classical dancers by not being afraid to give his take on the classical Bollywood number.

Bharatnatyam Jathi by Ananda Natanam

A cheerful classical Bharatnatyam performance is all you need on a gloomy day to lift your spirits. And Ananda Natanam delivers exactly that. The bubbly steps accompanied by his cute smile are bound to make even non-dancers sway with joy. The costume is kept simple to ensure the audience can focus on the dancer’s movements and relish the pure joy that Natanam exudes with each step. This male Indian classical dancer breaks the stigma against male classical dancers by truly enjoying his art form.

Tryambakam by Sutra Foundation

The Tryambakam, (Odissi) is an invocatory homage to Siva, the triple-eyed Lord, Nourisher and Liberator of souls from the bondage of pull of opposites. This masterpiece by the Sutra Foundation brings to light the pure joy of dancing that was experienced by the Lord of Dance, Shiva who is often depicted as half man and half woman. The dancers beautifully capture the Lord’s ever-famous Tandav dance which is bound to energise any wandering soul with its perfect rhythmic movements and passion. These male Indian classical dancers break the stigma against male classical dancers by invoking the divine and transcending societal gender norms with their performance.

Do check out these dancers to truly appreciate the essence of their performance.

Get ready for another laughter ride as our favourite stand-up comedians are back with more jokes to remember for a long time once again. These stand-up shows will not only make you laugh because they’re funny but also give you various perspectives on life, making the jokes hit close to home. 

Kenny Sebastian 

Kenny Sebastian is one of those comedians who will undoubtedly make you laugh but don’t expect offensive jokes coming from him. He picks up the relatable topics, even the topics you may have been bullied a lot about among your friends. But, he knows how to keep it light-hearted without making you feel bad about anything at all. At his recent show, he kept his jokes about height and how people of different heights suffer differently. This stand-up will take you back to the days of your youth and remind you of the childhood fun we all miss every day. Learn more about Kenny Sebastian by going through our interview with him!

Varun Grover

They say you need to be politically aware to be the right audience for Varun Grover’s stand-ups and they tell the truth. Varun Grover is one of those stand-up comedians where you can’t put your brain on shutdown mode and enjoy it without thinking too much. If you’re a sociology and current affairs enthusiast, this is the stand-up for you. As Grover makes you laugh with his witty jokes, he keeps his bureaucratic subtle commentary intact. Alongside, he also points out the dying cultures such as ethical journalism and the quality of government services. All in all, this is a must-watch stand-up if you’re into jokes based on wit.

Abhishek Upmanyu 

Abhishek Upmanyu entered the stand-up comedy space in recent years and received a lot of love due to his unbeatable storytelling skills. In his recent show, he dedicated a section to his life journey about why and how he entered the field. He starts with the obvious inferior remarks that all comedians receive in gatherings and get-together parties. As he tells his incredibly hilarious stories, he also touches upon the little elements that evoke more and more laughter. He rightly highlights the struggle of securing good employment and the anxiety it brings along. He also jokes about the very famous Bollywood nepotism and knows how to make subtle and non-offensive jokes about common disabilities. As Abhishek Upmanyu himself has speech issues, he uses his weakness as his strength and makes you roll on the floor laughing. This 40-minute stand-up comedy is packed with beyond comical and is a must-watch if you’re a comedy lover.

Zakir Khan

In his latest stand-up comedy show, Zakir Khan brings lots of laughs and relatable stories about love and life. He talks about the funny side of keeping your dating life a secret from nosy parents. Additionally, he tells how guys today deal with the pressures of being too macho. With jokes that hit close to home, Zakir explains why men sometimes struggle to understand and be nice to others, especially women. He also points out how guys might downplay women’s efforts in everyday things and exaggerate their importance. Zakir hilariously shows the awkwardness when guys try to talk to girls, making everyone in the audience crack up. He even shares the ups and downs of being a comedian and dealing with society’s judgments. This comedy special is a must-watch for a good time filled with laughter and a reality check on toxic masculinity. 

Anubhav Singh Bassi 

Anubhav Singh Bassi is renowned for his funniest stories and his storytelling skills. He does it naturally and is relatable to every middle-class person. His stories are unbelievably funny and make you recall “the young days” with your friends. Similarly, this one will also make you recall the days you might’ve felt economically inferior but still laugh out loud. His subtle references to here and there, everyday things, be it popular Bollywood movies, animals or your local rickshaws or so you say, ‘tuk-tuk’ make the jokes even funnier. This 8-minute stand-up is packed with laughter, free of cheap jokes and will force you to carry the jokes with you on your next trip to Dubai.

This stand-up comedy marathon will make you chuckle. Whether you want a good mindless laugh or some currently informed jokes, this marathon has it all for you. Keep your Friday night free and binge these comedians for a joyful weekend.