Music review: Chaandan Mein (Indipop – Kailasa)

Kailasa’s Chaandan Mein is perfectly in sync with what is expected from the band. The title song shines with Paresh’s guitar and a sweet tune sung with his usual passion, by Kailash. Na batati tu, in an interesting twist, has a playful tune with lively sitar phrases, courtesy Sunil Das, while Teri yaad mein’s simplicity is also its biggest strength – Kailash’s earthy words work very well in the otherwise conventional tune. With a mildly Indian Ocean’ish turn, Bheeg gaya mera mann (Cherrapunjee) is the album’s highlight – the joyous tune symbolizing rain and the arrangements that complement the feeling are scintillating – the band soars to beautiful highs with the jazz tinged additions later down the track. Ishq ho gaya’s woebegone outlook sticks out annoyingly while Sunil’s sitar resurfaces along with more folk’ish sounds in the blithe Rang rang ma. Piya ghar aavenge lays out its beauty gradually, with alternating santoor and flute pieces teasing Kailash to soar with his vocals. Kar kar main haara has more of the striking sitar even as the singer expresses the hopelessness in his lovelorn deeds evocatively. Kailasa does it again – getting it right the third time in Indipop is no mean task!

Keywords: Kailash Kher, Naresh Kamath, Paresh Kamath, Kailasa