How did you feel being part of EQUALS , India ’ s first folk music documentary series ?
It ’ s been a great experience for us ! There have been so many learnings in this journey . The time we spent with the artists and the musical ideas we have exchanged , are priceless . The whole process of writing the song was so organic . Dulalji and we connected almost immediately , and we have this platform to thank for bringing us all together . We are so happy and honoured to have been a part of EQUALS .
Can you describe your role and contribution to the series ? What aspects of your musical journey are highlighted ?
We began with creating a basic structure and curating the arrangement of the song , along with adding a Hindi lyrical section to blend with the Assamese lines . Our strengths lie in songwriting and we focused on bringing the best out of the arrangement . Our guest artists Joy and Archit played drums and the bass , elevating the composition to the next level . The song was finally recorded at Global Music Institute by Rishi Sachdeva and was produced mixed and mastered by Anindo at Plug ’ n ’ Play Studios , Delhi .
What expectations do you have regarding the impact of EQUALS on the appreciation of folk music in India and globally ?
EQUALS has been very focused on bringing to the forefront the stories and experiences of the artists in collaboration . There is attention to detail on not just the musical but also the visual aesthetics of the artistry . It brings together all these worlds in a very wholesome way and audiences across the board will definitely enjoy watching the episodes and the songs for years to come .
In a series rooted in memory and tradition , how do you see your musical style contributing to the narrative ?
We contribute to any musical narrative with our authentic musical sensibilities and genres that we derive our strength from . Our songwriting is also very driven by the stories we like to express , and the narratives we share . So to create and collaborate in a way that is deeply rooted in traditional forms while also exploring more contemporary elements was truly a joy for us to make music . We will cherish these memories and the song for years to come !
From your perspective , why is it important to bring diverse folk genres like Thumri , Baul , Qawwali , etc ., to a global audience through platforms like JioCinema ?
There is so much art our country , that is yet to be explored , acknowledged and appreciated . We are glad that projects like Equals and platforms like Jiocinema are doing their bit to create space , awareness and bring so many artists together to create music . We are excited to see this continue and grow !
Ricky Kej
How did you feel being part of EQUALS , India ’ s first folk music documentary series ?
I felt very privileged that Anahad Foundation got in touch with me to actually to be a part of season 2 of Equals . I watched the first season very intendly because my friends from Faridkot were part of it and the every single episode from the first part was stunning and every music that came of that season was absolutely mesmerizing . For me personally what I loved rather about Equals is that it ’ s all about showcasing the beautiful folk music of India but at the same time placing it in a vehicle which will appeal to a much larger audience than the folk music would actually get by encouraging the folk musician to collaborate with a contemporary musician , so this confluence of old and the new , the traditional and modern is really important to showcase as how India is as a country too . India has got the ancient tradition and yet we are on the cusp of modernity and they say that we need to be vikasit Bharat that is fully developed nation by 100 years of Independence i . e in 2047 and all of these will only happen if we can keep our traditions intact and at the same time imbibe whatever the good is in the modern world and thus have a confluence of the old and the new to be a great nation that we are . So I believe that equals is truly a representation of what India is and what India should be .
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