The mother-son duo of Kavita and Kanishk Seth have reinvented Sufi music for the modern audience. TheyreleasedTrance with Khusrow, the world's first Sufi-Electronic\/Trance album that was nominated alongside A R Rahmans album in the best fusion category at the Great Indian Music Academy Awards in 2015. Kanishk and mom Kavita Seth have been collaborating for over a decade and the music they produce is soul-stirring. After the success of their last single, Rangi Saari which got over 1.5 million hits on YouTube, the team is back with a new single, Ki Jaana, which marries electronic beats with Bulleshahs popular poetry. Kanishk shares more about his partnership with his mother as a musicianand how they have struck a balance between contemporary music and ancient texts. Excerpts: <\/p>\n
Your mother is one of the most acclaimed Sufi singers and musicians, what is the musical exchange when you are working with her?<\/p>\n
My mother and I have been collaborating since I was 14-years-old. Our first collaboration was the world's first Sufi-Electronic album - Trance With Khusrow. It took almost 4 years to produce and was later released through Sony Music India in 2014 and the album was also nominated at G.I.M.A in the Best Fusion Category, alongside A R Rahman! We have developed a unique relationship since the beginning of my musical journey. Its really interesting because our dynamics change frequently. When Im recording her vocals she often says that I am too stringent with her. And this is really funny because when it comes to anything apart from working on a song, its the opposite (laughs)!<\/p>\n
Jokes aside, I think that collaborating in different ways has actually helped us develop transparency and trust in our relationship. I consider myself especially blessed because growing up, Id wake up to the sound of my mom doing riyaaz. So while I did absorb the nuances of Indian classical and Sufi music, I was also encouraged to explore other kinds of genres and that is how I stumbled upon the fusion that I now love - blending Indian Classical melodies with electronic music.<\/p>\n
Read this:AR Rahman: 'Are we doing enough to nurture English indie musicians or are we denying them fame?'<\/p>\n
Tell us about Ki Jaana.<\/p>\n
Ki Jaana is a Punjabi sufi poem written by the poet Baba Bullehshah, blended with modern electronic music. With multiple lockdowns and everyone stuck indoors, I just wanted to create something that is positive and fun. Ki Jaana is about finding oneself and expressing love for the Almighty. When I was composing and producing this song, I was thinking of beautiful, bright pastel colours and a girl skateboarding between hills. And this was my reference to the Lebanon-based animator and illustrator, Dana Durr who created the songs visuals. And Im really happy with the way the video has turned out!<\/p>\n
Technically speaking, balancing both genres is key for me, so I always make sure that I record one Indian or ethnic instrument in my songs. And in Ki Jaana, the mandolin is the lead instrument and brings a lot of colour to the song.<\/p>\n
Why choose Bulleshah's classic poem?<\/p>\n
There is something divine and uplifting about Baba Bullehshahs sufi poetry. When I read the poem, I instantly felt a connection as it gave me a sense of love and liberation.<\/p>\n
What's next?<\/p>\n
Its been a hectic but rewarding year. I just graduated from Berklee College of Music, Valencia. I finished my Master's degree there with an Outstanding Scholar Award which was such a pleasant surprise. I intend to go to Barcelona to celebrate this achievement and also perform at the City Hall of Barcelona. I am also excited to announce my upcoming EP - Surmayi that I will be releasing around September. Cant give out too many details yet but its going to be a treat for indie-electronic fans.<\/p>\n
Also read this:Exclusive: Sufi sensation Humsufi explains their global sound<\/p>\n
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Kanishk Seth on working with his mother Kavita Seth on their new single Ki Jaana - indulgexpress<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The mother-son duo of Kavita and Kanishk Seth have reinvented Sufi music for the modern audience. TheyreleasedTrance with Khusrow, the world's first Sufi-Electronic\/Trance album that was nominated alongside A R Rahmans album in the best fusion category at the Great Indian Music Academy Awards in 2015. Continue reading