Hold onto your headphones, folks—Shreya Jain is about to take you on a musical rollercoaster with her debut EP, ‘Bawari’. This isn’t just any run-of-the-mill release; it’s a masterclass in blending the timeless allure of Indian Classical music with the freshest contemporary vibes. Imagine sitting in a centuries-old temple with a beat drop echoing in the background—yeah, ‘Bawari’ is that kind of journey.
Shreya, who’s basically had Hindustani classical music running through her veins since birth (thanks to her father and guru, the legendary Surmani Shyam Jain), is on a mission. She’s here to globalize the rich traditions of Indian music, and ‘Bawari’ is her bold step towards making that happen. This EP isn’t just music; it’s Shreya’s way of building a bridge between the old and the new, inviting listeners from every corner of the globe to dive into the depth and beauty of Indian sounds.
But Shreya didn’t do it alone—oh no! She’s called in the big guns for this project. The EP features a stellar cast of collaborators, including the wordsmith wizard Juno (aka Avinash Chauhan), the lyrical genius Shayra Apoorva, and music producers Bluk, Dropped Out, and Nakul Chugh, who know their way around a studio like nobody’s business. And let’s not forget the special guest appearances by singers Saahel, Sanah Moidutty, The Rish, and rapper Gravity—each one bringing their unique flair to this sonic tapestry.
The Playlist that Packs a Punch:
1. Kaahe (Ft. BLUK, JUNO): Ever wondered what it feels like to be magnetically drawn to someone and not know why? *Kaahe* captures that vibe perfectly. With haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, this track dives into the mind of a girl as she tries to figure out just what (or who) is pulling her closer.
2. Birha (Ft. Nakul Chugh, Saahel, Shaayra): Long-distance love never sounded so heart-wrenchingly beautiful. *Birha* is all about that deep yearning and sorrow that comes from being apart from the one you love. Get ready for some seriously soul-stirring vocals that’ll make you feel all the feels.
3. Aaja (Ft. Droppedout, Gravity, The Rish): This track is all about playful flirtation and the fun of being in love. With infectious energy and beats that’ll make you want to dance, ‘Aaja’ is the musical equivalent of that cheeky smile you give someone when you want them to stay a little longer.
4. Ghanan (Ft. Sanah Moidutty, Nakul Chugh): Rain has never sounded so uplifting! ‘Ghanan’ uses the imagery of a downpour as a symbol of joy and renewal. It’s the perfect way to close out the EP, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to hit replay.
Shreya Jain, a rising star in the Indian music scene, shared insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her debut EP ‘Bawari’, and her mission to bridge the gap between Indian classical music and contemporary sounds. In this exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, she delved into her journey, collaborations, and the challenges of creating a unique sonic experience for her listeners.
Exploring the Concept of ‘Bawari’
Q: What inspired you to create Bawari, and what message do you hope to convey through this EP?
Shreya Jain:For me, Bawari is my crazy attempt at blending Indian classical melodies with modern production. The message I want to convey is that music comes from the heart, and you should let it be raw and natural. Indian classical melodies come to me naturally because I grew up listening to Hindustani classical music from my father. I wanted to put that in my EP. Words come naturally to me, and that’s what I’ve done with ‘Bawari. I feel that while many still think Indian classical music should be subtle, people have started experimenting. They’re bringing Hindustani classical bandishes into modern production. I’ve learned so much about Indian classical music that I wanted to compose semi-classical melodies and explore them with modern production. I really want to bridge this gap and make Hindustani classical music as appealing to Gen Z as it is to those from the seventies or eighties.
The Songwriting Process for Kaahe
Q: Can you tell us about the songwriting process for ‘Kaahe’ and how this track came to life?
Shreya Jain: ‘Kaahe’ talks about situationships in a very old-school way, which is common in Gen Z today. The song is about a girl questioning why someone is showing affection if they aren’t in love. The songwriting process was amazing. A beautiful producer named Blak sent me a track on Instagram, asking if I would like to compose something on it. I was immediately drawn to it and composed the song while I was in a car. After finishing the composition, I sent it to Avinash Sir (Juno) to write the lyrics because I wanted them in Braj Bhasha, which is deeply connected to Hindustani classical music. The song was shaped with additional production by Blak and piano parts by Nakul, who made it sound super beautiful. That’s how ‘Kaahe’ was born.
The Emotional Depth of ‘Birha’
Q: ‘Birha’ is another track from the EP that holds deep emotional significance. What inspired this composition?
Shreya Jain: Birha is one of the most complicated yet beautiful melodies I’ve composed in Hindustani classical music. It talks about separation, especially during situations like the lockdown when two people are in different cities and can’t meet, or long-distance relationships where circumstances prevent them from being together. I’m so blessed to have such beautiful collaborators on this track, like Nakul Chugh, Sahel, and Shaira. Shaira has written the lyrics beautifully, and Sahil, who I’ve wanted to collaborate with for years, was amazing to work with. Nakul nailed the production as usual, perfectly capturing the essence of what I had in mind. Without all these people, the song wouldn’t have turned out the way it did.
The Collaborative Effort in ‘Aaja’
Q: Collaboration seems to be a significant part of your process. Can you tell us about your experience working on ‘Aaja’?
Shreya Jain: Oh my God, Aaja was the most difficult track in terms of collaboration. We had four people on this track—Dropdown, Gravity, Dharush, and me—and everyone contributed equally. Coordinating with each of them over several months was challenging, from production to final mixing and mastering. Hanish, one of the best mixing engineers, did an incredible job. The process was tough, but ‘Aaja came out exactly as I envisioned it. I wanted to have a rapper on an Indian classical composition, and Rish, one of my favorite voices, agreed to be on this track. His flawless contribution took the song to another level.
Bridging Cultures with ‘Ghanan’
Q: ‘Ghanan’ is a unique track that blends Hindi and Tamil. What led you to explore this fusion?
Shreya Jain: I always wanted to write a song about rain, and when I composed the melody, it had a South Indian vibe to it. I decided to blend Hindi and Tamil, as Tamil is one of my favorite South Indian languages. I’ve been a fan of Sana’s work for over ten years, and I reached out to her for a collaboration. She was super sweet to agree, and we recorded the song at my home. Nakul, who also produced this track, did a superb job. ‘Ghanan’ and ‘Birha’ are quite different but equally powerful, and I’m thrilled with how they turned out.
The Influence of Her Father and Interior Design
Q: Your father has been a significant influence on your music. How has his guidance shaped your journey?
Shreya Jain: It was fun, but at the same time, I used to run away from music. I never thought I’d become a full-time musician. My father would always push me to do riyaaz, and I grew up listening to him and my sister. Waking up to his riyaaz was my alarm. I’m blessed to have him as my guru, and I’m still learning from him.
Q: How has your background in interior design influenced your work in music, particularly in creating sets for your shoots?
Shreya Jain: It’s really inspiring because I can use all my interior design knowledge when designing sets for my shoots. I love doing the art for my music videos. It’s one of my favorite parts. Apart from that, I have a very pretty house, which might be because I learned interior designing or maybe because I spend a lot of time on Pinterest! I shoot most of my content at home, and interior design has definitely helped me create a safe, creative space where I can make music peacefully.
Taking Hindustani Classical Global
Q: What do you hope international audiences will take away from Bawari?
Shreya Jain: I want ‘Bawari’ to make noise and show that this is the new direction we can take Hindustani classical music. This is the way to go global. I’m collaborating with international producers and artists to bring Hindustani classical melodies to the world. International audiences will take away the beauty, simplicity, and innocence of these melodies. Today, it doesn’t even matter if you understand the language—if the song is good, you vibe with it. I believe they’ll take away something unique from the EP.
The Role of Collaborations in ‘Bawari’
Q: How important were collaborations in shaping the sound of your EP?
Shreya Jain: Each and every feature and collaboration on the EP means a lot to me. I wanted to collaborate with as many people as possible, which is why we have different lyricists, producers, and featured singers on the songs. Collaborations bring unique flavors, and that’s how you increase the value of the song and the record. It was an amazing experience, and I’m super grateful to all the beautiful features and collaborators. The entire EP was a roller coaster ride, with a lot of back and forth, especially when you have so many collaborators. But I’ve learned a lot—how to collaborate, what to do, and what not to do.
Ensuring Sonic Cohesion in ‘Bawari’
Q: With multiple producers involved, how did you ensure that each track maintained a cohesive sonic theme?
Shreya Jain: We have three different music producers for the EP, and there isn’t a lyrical or emotional theme running through it. The theme is the sound, the sonics of the EP. I made sure that sonically, all the songs are in the same family or at least nearby. I told each producer on day one that I wanted to create a sonic experience for the audience. They were all very sweet and blended themselves into what the EP needed to be. I’m just super grateful because the EP sounds exactly how I envisioned it.
—
With ‘Bawari’, Shreya Jain isn’t just releasing an EP; she’s laying down the gauntlet, challenging the world to listen up and take note of Indian Classical music in a whole new light. If you’re into genre-blending, tradition-meets-modernity kind of music, then ‘Bawari’ is a must-listen. And this, folks, is just the beginning of Shreya’s musical adventure. Buckle up, because it’s going to be an exciting ride!
Comments
0 comment