At The Chai Trail Café, we take pride in the music we play, and the love we receive fuels our passion. We champion underground, non-commercial sounds that often go unnoticed. Discovering artists rooted in our culture brings us joy.
Our first playlist Folk Studio by The Chai Trail blends contemporary music and folk traditions that span regions, from Bangla folk rhythms to Rajasthani Langas, Kashmir’s serene tunes, and the innovative sounds of modern artists, bridging the past and present.
Celebrate a nation where every region has its song, every community has its story, and every note reflects a shared heritage. Let these tracks connect you to India’s roots while embracing the contemporary artistry that keeps it alive.
The tracklist of the playlist:
Below are a few artists featured in the playlist who embody this cultural and musical fusion.
1. Hawa (a film album)
Hawa, a 2022 Bangladeshi film directed by Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, weaves a mysterious tale set on a fishing trawler, where folklore meets psychological drama. The film’s soundtrack plays a significant role in deepening its emotional and cultural impact. Songs like Shada Shada Kala Kala and Aat Ta Baje Deri Korish Na are standout pieces that infuse the narrative with Bengali folk elements, connecting the audience to the region’s musical heritage. The latter, performed by Basudeb Das Baul, is a traditional Baul folk song remastered for the film, further tying the storyline to its cultural roots.
2. Maati Baani
Maati Baani is a pioneering Indian fusion band that seamlessly blends Hindustani classical music with global genres, including folk, blues, jazz, and funk. Founded by Nirali Kartik, a Hindustani vocalist, and Kartik Shah, an award-winning composer and music producer, the band is celebrated for its collaborative spirit. Maati Baani, meaning “the language of the earth,” captures the raw essence of Indian folk music while making it accessible to a global audience. With songs like Boondan Boondan and Tore Matware Naina, the band celebrates regional languages and musical traditions, including Hindi, Rajasthani, and Gujarati, while collaborating with global artists.
3. Tajdar Juniad
Tajdar Junaid is a Kolkata-born multi-instrumentalist, composer, and singer-songwriter celebrated for his unique ability to blend Indian folk traditions with global sounds. His critically acclaimed debut album, What Colour Is Your Raindrop (2013), earned widespread praise, including being named Album of the Year by Rolling Stone India. Tajdar’s musical versatility spans instruments like the oud, charango, sarangi, and mandolin, and his compositions are known for their emotional depth and cultural richness Tajdar scored the music for Writing With Fire, an Oscar-nominated documentary following Dalit women journalists breaking barriers, and the National Award-winning Mukti Bhawan (Hotel Salvation). His work has also featured in films like The President by Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Emma Thompson’s Sold.
4. Achint
Achint is an Indian classical fusion band known for blending traditional Indian classical music with contemporary genres such as jazz, rock, and electronic elements. Founded by renowned composer and musician Achint Thakkar, the band has earned recognition for its innovative approach to music that merges the intricacies of classical ragas with modern improvisations. Achint's music is characterized by a seamless fusion of intricate rhythms, melodies, and textures, combining various instruments like tabla, sitar, electric guitar, and synthesizers.
5. Kabir Café
Kabir Café is an Indian folk-fusion band that brings the timeless poetry of the 15th-century mystic poet and saint Kabir to contemporary audiences. Founded in 2013 by Neeraj Arya, the band blends Kabir's profound verses with modern musical genres, including rock, reggae, pop, and Carnatic music. Their mission is to make Kabir’s teachings of love, unity, and spirituality relevant in today’s world.The band is known for its high-energy performances and eclectic sound, using traditional instruments like the khartal and flute alongside guitars and drums. Popular songs like Moko Kahan Dhundhe Re Bande and Fakiri resonate with audiences across age groups, celebrating Kabir's philosophy of living a simple, meaningful life.
This is a work-in-progress playlist, and we’ll continue adding immersive contemporary tracks from the subcontinent as we uncover more hidden gems.
We’ll bring you a fresh new playlist every month. In the meantime, please share this playlist with friends who would enjoy these contemporary folk songs!
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