Top Indian Songs of the week 17th March 2024

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Here are the best songs released in India across languages and genres for the week ending 17th March 2024.

1. Manam Manam

Music: Vidyasagar

Lyrics: Vinayak Sasikumar

Singer: Hariharan

Language: Malayalam

Genre: Light Music/Pop

Mood: Happy

How do these two amazing musicians come together after so many years and still deliver such beauty? Vidyasagar has been very impressive whenever he has composed music out of the blue in the last few years and this is another prime example. The song is performed like a dream by Hariharan taking us back to the early 2000s. Vinaya, Abinaya, Srivardhani, and Hema are constantly accompanying in the backing vocals. The melody has maybe traces of Raag Hamsadhwani and it is the combination of keys and rhythms by Anthony Karuna, Harsha Vardhan and Ganesan Sekar that gives the song a modern touch. The interlude has this jugalbandhi between the female chorus, along with the guitars and drums and the Shehnai feels ecstatic and is well-composed. 

Balasayee is just magical on the flute and Aswani Shankar plays the Shehnai. The rhythm programming also ensures we get an equal taste of Western drums and Indian classical Thavil. Murugan S and M. Senthilkumar are the recording engineers and Anthony Karuna is the mixing engineer. The second interlude with the strings section followed by the Harmonium and guitars is a heartwarming section which someone like Vidyasagar alone can compose. Vinayak Sasikumar is the lyricist. 

@vidyasagarmusicofficial @vinayaksasikumar @anthonykaruna

2. Na Ja

Singer, Songwriter, Producer: Jyoti Kavi

Additional programming: Remy

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

Mood: Happy

Jyoti Kavi is responsible for creating magic here as this song woke me up from my slumber one fine morning at around 4 am. She has been featured before by me, but this time she soars into another orbit altogether. It is music like this that makes me believe in divinity, love and life itself. Jyoti has written the lyrics, composed the stunning melody and produced the song with such exuberance and sophistication. Akshat Mehrotra's flute solo starts playing and it does intervene beautifully in many instances. If you pay attention, there are a couple of layers of the flute playing and things get extremely stylish and energetic with the guitar introduction. 

The acoustic and electric guitar sounds combine with some stunning rhythms. I felt that there were some Raag Hindolam influences but Jyoti corrected me that it was Raag Natabhairavi being explored mainly. Jyoti sings this like a dream and when she does this ghamaka on " rehti hai hoton pe" I surrendered on my knees. Remy does all the additional programming, and so kudos to him for that mix of Tabla and rhythms in the verse. The strings section at the end of the verse is magnificent and I could go on listening to the song numerous times. The execution and arrangements of the flute deserve special mention. The mixing and mastering are done by Jyoti Kavi. 

@jyoti.kavi

3. Innevanavva 

Poem Written by  Vachanakarti Satyakka

Composition, Vocals: Bindhumalini

Produced by Prashanth Techno

Language: Kannada

Genre: Semi-classical

Mood: Devotional

Bindhumalini sent me this song after I met her at a beautiful performance called "Singing Body". This is one of her purest and finest works, not because just the singing is shatteringly good, or the production is immaculate, but because the project has a purpose of profound importance. I was educated about the 12th-century Vanchana poet called Satyakka. She stood up boldly against gender biases, inequalities and casteist discrimination. How did anyone rise against such atrocities back in the 12th century when it was the most accepted norm? My salutations to this phenomenal being!

Getting back to this song, the gobsmacking Nadaswaram invites us into the track. Adyar D Balasubramanian plays it like a champion and after that intro, it is Bindhumalini taking us away into a land of dreams thanks to her singing. The words, penned by Satyakka are a seeking the help of power from above to resolve all the problematic issues she has been witnessing on earth. I wonder which God can resist the power of these words and the purity of this voice.

The melody is written by Prashanth Murali a.k.a. Prashanth Techno and Bindhumalini, with the former giving us a powered-up production. The Keys by Prashanth and the Kanjira by Charu Hariharan, are just soothing along with that Dotara-sounding instrument. I kept hearing a lot of Raag Mohanam influences, and then when Bindhumalini spoke to me she said it was Mohanakalyani. It is an auditory treat to listen to Bindhu's enchanting voice and ghamakas. The outro with the Nadaswaram, Keys and Kanjira takes me to the edge of paradise! I have seen my Shambhukeshavana. 

The tracks are mixed by Daniel Alba, and recorded by Avinash Sathish at 20dB Studios and Deepak SR at Deepak SR Productions. The beautiful cover art is by Madhuri Aggarwal. 

@bindhumalini @nadasbala @charuhariharan @msaggarwal @prashanthtechno @msaggarwal @deepaksr.mix @avinashsathish @danielalbasound

4. Lafz

Written, Composed, Produced, and Performed by Shirish

Language: Hindi

Genre: Disco-Pop

Mood: Trippy

Shirish has been on my radar for more than 3 years now and he has been featured quite several times, so it was a matter of time before he got featured and reviewed again. This single, in my opinion, is his best work yet. Shirish has composed the melody written the lyrics, and performed the lead vocals. Right from the moment the song starts playing, one will get hypnotised by it, and it has this casual tempo and disco-themed soundscape. Shirish for most parts sings in the falsetto zone and the bass guitars and rhythms keep upping the ante. The most stunning part of the song comes in the verse/stanza. It is a beautiful composition here right at the end of the haunting interlude.

"Kehte kabhi na, jo bhi kehna na" is just pure magic, and the song has a tone and feel that resembles "Main Aisa Kyun Hoon" by Shankar-Ehsan-Loy. The keys and rhythm programming us outstanding and one enters a trippy mood as we keep listening to this. A big round of applause is all I can think of for this splendid track. 

@shirishmusic @mixedbyhanish

5. Aata Gaani Aata 

Composed & Sung by Sravana Bhargavi

Lyrics by Goreti Venkanna

Music Produced by Stanley Sajeev

Language: Telugu

Genre: Latin Pop

Mood: Romantic

This song came as a pleasant surprise, because the Telugu music space is dominated by Tollywood, and here comes an indie song and that too in Latin Jazz/Pop style. I have not featured her before but the song is excellent sung and composed by Sravana Bhargavi. The lyrics are penned by Goreti Venkanna.Joel Shastry has a ball with the guitars and the solo in the intro reminds me of Carlos Santana. Stanley Sajeev is the producer and he amps up the arrangements and programming with all the horns section, rhythms, keys and bass. Sravana has performed like a seasoned campaigner and with such gusto and glamour and I hope she gets more recognition after this performance.

Abhijit Gurjale sizzles with the Violin solo in the interlude, and then once we get to the verse we are treated thanks to Sravan'as singing and the terrific production and arrangement of vocal harmonies and instrumentals. The song is short but it is terrific like small-sized dynamite. The tracks are mixed and mastered by Stanley Sajeev. 

@ravurisravana.bhargavi @stanley_sajeev @joelsastry @abhijitgurjale @onelifeitis @jasminejoseph07 @prashanth_monty

6. Surface

Performed by Katya Krishnan

Written by Katyayani Krishnan

Produced by Katya Krishnan, GNDHI

Language: English

Genre: Pop

Mood: Pathos

I was engrossed right from the first note on the guitars and it pulled me deep inside, and not just at the surface level. Katya Krishnan has been featured by me before but this one is special, thanks to some brilliant writing, vocals and production. Before you do anything else, please go and read her IG post on the song and how it was conceptualised.

It felt like a chapter or rather a Tome on love and all its forms. Katya proves that she is a phenomenal writer in these lyrics too with the lines "I know it for certain, if you pull back the curtain, there will be light. And days move like water, through my hands". The words are profound. Sebastian Selame's guitars leave me wanting more. The writing is nothing short of stunning and I feel the love as she says "I'll build an airplane out of paper, from the morning post" and I can also sense the pressure and despair of life and love when I hear "It might make you nervous that the weight of the world is walking a fine line". 

The song increasingly consumes you with the solid production by Gndhi and some stunning guitars increase the surface tension. The bridge section comes right at the end like an outro and I love how there is the sound of the Sarangi introduced. Katya impresses me so much with her writing that I forgot to compliment her vocals combining the pain and vulnerability of the protagonist along with the technical strength in her delivery. She ends it with " We've broken through higher tides, they won't see you as I do" This is all quite deep for a song called "Surface". Well done Katya!

@katyakrishnan @gndhi.music @sebaselame

7. Embrace

Written, Composed and Performed by Swati Bhatt

Produced by - Bob Lanzetti and Swati Bhatt

Vocals - Swati Bhatt

Language:

Genre: Ballad

Mood: Pathos

This song is like a blanket of goodness spread all over you and the writing is deep, meaningful and impactful. Swati Bhatt writes " Take your time to soothe what hurts, Without the thoughts that twist your words, hus your heart or let it cry". In the 3 opening lines, she delivers a method for dealing with the external madness and coping with pain and misery. Swati writes the melody and lyrics and she performs the soothing lead vocals as well.

It has been a while since we have heard the Haro being played and here we have Elizabeth Cohee Steiner playing it mildly, as soothing as the lyrics. The vocal harmonies kick in and they add more power to the words and the message especially when Swati sings " Know your worth and you're not alone", it is better to hear more than one voice. Zach Brock plays the solo violin in the background during the verse and it combines excellently with the harmonies and the creative sounds of percussion by Keita Ogawa. 

The production by Bob Lanzetti and Swati Bhatt is flawless and adds immensely to the impact of the song. Julian Pollack plays the bass and the synths and all the tracks are mixed by Nic Hard and mastered by Thomas Juth. The vocals are recorded at Ferris Wheel Studios. 

@swati_bhatt @boblanzetti @nic.hard @thomas.juth @lizzie_harp @iamj3po @zachdbrock @keita_percussion @ferriswheelstudios @akankshaasingh7 @madverse.music @aetmedia @mohitkrtiwari

8. Drama

Performed and written by Nisa Shetty

Production: Tunna Beats, Bangkok

Language: English

Genre: Pop

Mood: Energetic

This talented singer-songwriter has been rising like hot and irresistible mercury. Her performances for AR Rahman and Mickey McCleary have made heads turn, and this solo indie project is a stamp of her authority. The production deserves as much respect as Nisa's vocals and writing, so kudos to Tunna Beats. The way she sings "You know you're toxic too, that's why you love this drama, this trauma" with a nice air of condescension to signify the attitude of the song's protagonist is terrific. The terrific keys and rhythm programming works pretty well even though Nisa is singing "This is never gonna work". I did sense some fragments of similarity with "The Call" by Backstreet Boys especially when I heard the lines "So you wanna be friends now?". Krishna Rao at Lotus Tree Studios is the mix/master and recording engineer. 

The vocal performance will take NIsa to the top of the charts for 2024, and with all the keys, rhythms, vocal harmonies and Solo violin by Sayan Sinha in the background, the song is upbeat and one of Nisa's best in recent memory. 

@nisa_shetty @lotustreestudios @mkrishnarao @tunnabeatz 

@questioningconsciousness

9. The Lucky One

Song written and performed by Takar Nabam

Audio Production - Mukul Jain

Language: English

Genre: Pop

Mood: Romantic

Simplicity is always the best route! Takar Nabam proves that that a good melody, with heartfelt writing and able live instrumental arrangements, can make a song terrific, without depending on excessive creativity and production, which can become reducant at times. Takar writes the melody and lyrics and also performs the groovy vocals. He is accompanied by another fabulous artist Carolina Norbu on backing vocals. The electric guitars, acoustic and drums stand out for me and we have Aveleon Giles Vaz as the drummer. Mukul Jain produces the song at Ferris Wheel Stiudos., with such finesses and exquisite detailing. 

The writing and emotions run deep as Takar dedicates the song to his better half and all the romantics in the world. "Today is our day, I promise that my love for you will never, never fizzle away", is making my heart blossom with love for my partner when I hear this. The electric guitar solo at the end of this line is the icing on the cake. 

@takarnabam @carolinanorbu @aveleonvaz @mixbymukul @ferriswheelstudios @rebika_nvm___ @yachangchan @tazang_rubu @ijack_chera @chang_namchoom @_tomigamlin_ @25.nuclear @rajagupta6198

10. Ganga

Singers: Megha Sriram Dalton & Anurag Saikia

Music: Anurag Saikia

Lyrics: Raj Shekhar

Music Produced by: Oblong Sioni & Ishan Das

Language: Hindi

Genre: Light Music

Mood: Pathos

The movie "Bhakshak" on Netflix was fine, it had some good moments with capable performances and despite its predictable story-telling, the messaging was impactful. The music also had a positive role to play in carrying the screenplay forward. Shor Police were responsible for the original score and the songs were composed by Anurag Saikia. I have never heard of or featured her before but was quite impressed with the tone and delivery of Megha Sriram Dalton. 

The pathos comes out with her strong expression, and so kudos to that Megha. Shomu Seal plays the strokes all along along with the guitars. The song has shades of Raag Pilu, in my opinion, especially which I hear in the stanza. I love the melody and arrangements when we get to the line " thoda thoda hum sabka kuch sukha sa hai", and Dilshand Khan shines with his Sarangi intervention and then in an interlude piece later. Bedabrat M. Barua's bass guitars sparkle in the background.

The vocal harmonies are performed by Gauranga Shekhar, Bishal Sharma, Arabinda Neog, Kavya Kriti, Dipakshi Kalita and Pratikhyaa Sarma and they build a layer of pathos nicely with the humming in the interlude. I also love the line where the chorus stands out " doob rahe hum sabko bhi tum saath le chalo". Raj Shekhar writes these touching and relevant words.  The outro is a beautiful segment with the Pianos and vocal harmonies and credit goes to Ishan Das and Oblong Sioni for the meaty production. Anil Doley does the vocal design, and the recording engineers are Rahul Chhetri, Ronak Damani, Nijei Nijok and Pankaj Borah. The tracks are mixed and mastered by Pankaj Borah at Neo Sound Studio., with Pranjal Borah as mixing assistant. 

@meghasriramdalton @anuraag_psychaea @rajshekaris @justpulkit @ishandas_666 @shomu_seal @purplehaze_bones @dilshhadkhan @dipakshi_kalita @pratikhyaa_music @bixal__purplehaze @arabinda.neog.12 @kavyakritimusic @shekhar_purplehaze @rawnakofficial @pankajborahb @zeemusiccompany @startistmanagement @netflix_in @rrahulchhetri @neosoundstudios @contrail_muzic 

11. Raushan

Composed by Vasu Dixit, Varun Murali, Sanjeev Nayak, Jishnu Dasgupta and Pavan

Kumar KJ

Lyrics by Puneet Sharma and Vasu Dixit

Vocals - Vasu Dixit

Language: Hindi

Genre: Folk-Rock

Mood: Energetic

This folk-rock band from Karnataka gives me goosebumps with their mix of experimental work and 'going back to roots'. This song in Hindi is titled 'Raushan' and with Vasu's throbbing vocals and the accompanying instrumental we see light being cast over us metaphorically making all the darkness of mediocre music perish. The song is produced by Varun. 

The melody is composed by Vasu Dixit, Varun Murali, Sanjeev Nayak, Jishnu Dasgupta and Pavan who all are part of the band 'Swarathma'. Such profound words "kuch maanga nahi, milta hi gaya" are penned by Puneet Sharma and Vasu Dixit. Varun Murali can be heard playing the guitars as well as the Dotara. These add to the wonderful folkish flavours. Pavan Kumar KJ on the Kanjira along with Vinay Ramakrishnan's drums is a cultural calition that brings a smile. The verse with the higher pitch segments induces such passion and makes us surrender to the song's beauty. 

The interlude is the most jaw-dropping segment with Varun on electric guitars and Sanjeev Nayak on the Violin. Jishnu Dasgupta is the bassist. Towards the end, the purity of the song returns in the outro with just the backing vocals, guitars, bass and the Dotara. The tracks are mixed and mastered by Varun Murali at The Red Music Box, and he is also the recording engineer. 

@swarathma @dixitvasu @jishdasgupta @sanjeevnayak @dynasly @mox.asia @

12. Money

Written by: Aditi Veena

Arrangement: Dhruv Bhola, Karan Singh, Aditi Veena

Produced by: Aditi Veena, Dhruv Bhola

Language: Language

Genre: Pop

Mood: Pathos

This singer-songwriter and Urban ecologist makes music for a purpose and here in this EP called "Skin", she manages to get your thick skin of insensitivity and callousness about the global environmental crisis. The music in this is more upbeat than the lyrics suggest. Ditty a.k.a. Aditi Veena writes the lyrics, and melody and performs the lead vocals in this single with an attitude that you may call "politely preachy". I hear the words and it does cause a mild sense of shame about what urban dwellers take for granted.

 The vocal performance by Ditty, along with her guitars, is top-draw as she has vibrato and falsetto used quite cleverly and effectively in the song. Dhruv Bhola and Aditi produced the song with all the arrangements handled by Aditi, Dhruv and Karang Singh. I love the line " They say things have changed, but it's all money and vain. Billboards, TV and now Instagram", and I felt a little awkward because I had to end up using Instagram to promote even this review. 

"Do you know where the money comes from?" is a simple yet powerful rhetorical question, and it hit me heard hearing the sound of birds fade away, and the loud cries of elephants, with a forest being bull-dozed in front of them. The keys, rhythms and guitars dominate along with vocal harmonies. Dhruv plays the bass and acoustic guitar, and Karan is the drummer. Dhruv Bhola is the mixing engineer, and Rohit Gupta is the recording engineer and I love the sound design which uses bird calls, and the sounds of the electric saw effectively. I agreed "there will be things money won't buy", like good music. The horns in the outro are played by Menzel Mutzke. 

@heyyditty @dhruv.bhola @karrransi @philtersoupmusic @soundgardenmastering @cloudshillmusic @cello_preacher @pallavi_verma_ @menzelmutzke

13. Jaagan Jaago

Music Composed, Produced & Sung by: Hriday Gattani

Lyrics: Shivangi Tewari

Language: Hindi

Genre: Semi-classical Pop

Mood: Happy

I feel elated and inspired listening to Hriday Gattani because he is one musician who has the blessing of AR Rahman and not just that, there is a significant transfer of the latter's knowledge too into the former's style of work and substance. Hriday has composed the melody which soars higher with the progression of time and he also has performed the lead vocals and produced this too.

I heard the melody and the Raag that struck me the most was Maand, and Hriday tells me that there are also traces of Raag Bhoopali and Raag Hamsadhwani in the song. Sanket Naik delivers a breathtaking performance on percussions, with various beautiful sounds incorporated like the Mridangam, Ghatam, Ganjira etc. To get these incorporated into a Westernised background sound like the Keys, acoustic and bass guitars is where Hriday incorporates his skill. The verse has a melody that extracts Hriday's wide vocal range into play. Shivangi Tewari is the lyricist. 

@hridaygattani @shivangi_tewari @sanketnaik @aadam.tf 

14. Saanson

Performed by Nishant Sood

Written by Nishant Sood

Arrangements and Production: Jenn Steeves & Nishant Sood

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

Mood: Trippy

It just needs guitars and a voice like this to soothe the soul and at the same time draw attention. Nishant Sood writes the melody, and lyrics and performs the vocals. The tantalising guitars are played by Jenn Steeves and she also handles the arrangements and produces the track along with Nishant. 

The layers of guitars are intriguing and they feel like "saanson mein saanson mila" just like Nishant sings. The electric, acoustic guitars combine sensationally with the Keys, synths and rhythms. The impact can only be experienced and it is entirely moving, and it gets amplified by the backing vocals, also done by Jenn. Anindo Bose is the mixing and mastering engineer at Plug 'n' Play Studios. Rita Sood does the exciting covert art. 

@nish.sood @jennmsteeves @anindobose @plugnplaystudios @sudrita

15. Ishq Naya Sa

Singer - Ami Mishra

Composer - Prithviraj Singh

Lyrics - Prithviraj Singh and Nitisha Agrawal

Music Producer and Mix Master - Udit Parmar

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop Fusion

Mood: Happy

Every artist wants to try something new and creative and offer music to fans, but not all attempts succeed. This one is an example of a pop fusion single that ticks all boxes and that is why it is getting featured here. The melody of the song composed by Prithviraj Singh is very hummable and likable and that becomes the nucleus of the song. There might be some traces of Raag Hamsadhwani in the melody if I am not wrong and Ami Mishra handles the lead vocals with such grace. I love the Keys and this is where Udit Parmar's production comes to light. He also makes brilliant arrangements to elevate the impact of the song. Pay keen attention to the vocal harmonies and the strings section in the background. 

Gaurav Nagor plays the Sitar solo in the interlude adding finesse to the song. He also accompanies with some interventions in the stanza and we can also hear the sounds of the Ukulele and acoustic guitars, Ami does a fabulous job with the delicate ghamakas as the song lands into the opening verse with "Teri sangeetein sadiyan meri". Prithviraj and Nitisha Agrawal write the beautiful lyrics. The tracks are mixed and mastered by Udit. 

@prithviraj_sing @amimishra @leftly_right @gaurav_nagor @skylights.ensemble