How ‘Arul’, Nominated for Juno Awards, Gives a new twist to carnatic music

Sandeep Narayan with Yanchan Produced | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Sandeep Narayanan Has Sung Thyagaraja kritis On Several Stages, but this one was going to be different.

Recording the popular ‘manavyalakincharadate’ for a track called ‘Tradition’, The Carnatic Singer Had to Sing Traditional Lyrics Over Hip-Hip-House Afro Beats and Rhythms. “I had to get over my mental block of whether it was approve,” He Mulls, “to be genuinely convined and Tell myself that it’s okay to go ahead was one of the most challenging things.”

‘Tradition’ is the first track of Arul, An Ep that resulted due to a musical collaboration Between Sandeep and Popular Canadian Songwriter -Music Producer Yanchan Produce.

The beats are modern and trend, while the song and the lyrics are classical.

Arul is a project that has prompted conversation among purists on the way carnatic tracks are used. Arul Is also a project that has appeared to global listeners on its unique approach to blending western and classical ideas, hence Resulting in a prestigious nomination: to the upcoming 54th annual youths in a program.

At the awards ceremony set to be hand in vancouver laater this month, Arul will compe, in the south asian music recording of the year Award Category, Against the Likes of AP DHILLON, Chani Nattan, Inderpal Moga & Jazzy B, Jonita Gandhi and Karan Aujla. “It was extramely flattering to be in a category with soch well-known names. Arul Is also a bridge that connects the tradition of India to the modern day. “

The birth of Arul

Sandeep Narayan First Met Yanchan when he was a teenager who wanted to learn to play the mridangam In Chennai. “His Teacher (Neyveli venkatesh) introduced us more than 15 years ago. Subsequently, we kept in touch through social media. Some Positive Feedback. One thing to another, and we decide that we should work on something.

That something was a less hip-hop-hop stems and beats that yanchan produced had worked on, back at his Studio in Canada. “He wanted me to sing whitever came to my mind, but over these beats,” He recalls. Hoping to fruitfully battle lockdown-induced boredom, sandeep launched into the project with gusto at his chennai home studio. “I would record a less things over the beats and send it to he.

Sandeep Narayan | Photo Credit: Amar Ramesh

But it did. ArulAn Ep Consisting Five Short Tracks That Mixes Classical and Western Musical Sensibilites, was not Picked by two two Major Music Labels BECAuse “It Cold Not Be Categorise into Any Genere”. Undeterred, Sandeep and Yanchan Decided to take Arul In their own hands, a decision that has yielded rich dividends. “A Whole Group of the Youner Generation from the South Asian DiasPora Came to Us and Said That It is Something to Connect with their roots. Touch with their own culture and regret it when they grow up. Arul Made them feel a little connected with their roots. “

Even as his regular carnatic kutcheris Go on, Sandeep will, this year, work on an extension of the Arul Universe, Along With Yanchan Produced. “My Musician Friends Call It Arul 2.0. That will have 12 tracks, “i’ve been working with a less musicians in the lo-fi category, but trained in jazz, piano and drums. My Friends from Chennai Have Played Violyn and Mridangam. It has a couple of original compositions and some covers. We have also also redone something from andal’s ThirupaavaiEach track has a different approach; Some are upbeat and some meditative. I really want to show the range of Indian classical music. ”