Week 8 - Jangal - Soumik Dutta - Contemporary Hindustani Classical...with a twist

One of my favourite things in the world is coming across artists like Soumik Datta, a prodigy in his own right and a specialist on the sarod, his skills are unparalleled. This EP was one of the best things I have found in recent times. Music with a purpose, Datta wrote and composed this album as a celebration of nature and forests. Titled Jangal the album is an expression of his resolve to prevent further deforestation and address the climate crisis. The album in itself is great but when heard a second time through this lens of environmental conservation, the sonic ideas are amplified as Datta is able to paint a picture with sound. Bringing the Indian classical sound into the modern world while tactfully lifting from other cultures both in instruments and musical ideas, the album is a fantastic listen and sitting at 26 minutes as a whole, you would be remiss if you didn’t give it a listen.

Even though the album is only 5 songs long, not everyone has the time or the patience to sit through the whole thing. If that is the case, I suggest listening to

1. Jangal - The first and title track of the EP, its sets the tone immaculately. It starts out very modern with the electronic keyboard and digital drums, but as the hangpan, the ghatam and eventually sarod crescendo into the fold, it becomes evident that this is like nothing you’ve ever heard. The track swells and fades with Datta’s sarod leading and shaping the sound. Instruments enter and leave the fold, till finally the track swell toward the second half during which the frenzied sound of a morchang (or what I think is a morchang) pulls your attention before Datta picks at his sarod once again in the most fantastic fashion.

I suggest you check out Soumik Dutta playing alongside legendary carnatic singer Aruna Sairam as they blend Indian classical with contemporary jazz. (A genre of music I do intend to explore further). The series is called UTSAV: Back To The Blues and can be found on YouTube