Skip to main content

A musical journey by road across the length and breadth of India

Amit Trivedi soaks in the acoustic legacy of five states, driving through each of them in a road trip spanning almost an year

In 2020, when the pandemic struck, Amit Trivedi launched his own music label, ‘AT Azaad’ for independent songs, and has produced over 20 songs from which the garba number, ‘Moti Veerana’ and the romantic ‘Madhubala’ became magnum-hits.

“There’s music in India's soil, and I’m on a musical journey across the nation to collaborate with amazing artists! We’re combining the best of our legacy and tradition… with new styles and techniques to create new music that will resonate with the entire nation,” says the musician who is working on his project, ŠKODA Sonic Roots, with automobile brand Škoda, to connect with earthy Indian voices, traditions and stories to create inspired new songs.

He drives through Gujarat to meet Dandiya King, Kirtidan Gadhvi, for the ultimate Big Fat Gujju wedding, inspiring a brand new Lagna geet! He romances the great Indian Mooch tradition with Rajasthani folk singer Mame Khan and Ruchika Chauhan, in the famed Blue City of Jodhpur. Trivedi pays homage to Bengal with Rana Mazumder and celebrated Baul singer Goutam Das Baul, in a song that can only be called a love letter. He discovers love’s many colours in Tamil Nadu, with the multi-talented Anthony Daasan showing him the moves! He follows his bliss to Rajasthan to create a song about inner joy, powered by the incredible voices of Kavita Seth and local legend Bhanwari Devi. Finally, this Mumbaikar, inspired by the Bhagwa, creates a brand new song brimming with Maharashtrian pride, with celebrated vocalist Nagesh Morwekar.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Telemedicine to the aid of home-bound patients in the time of Covid-19

Telemedicine in covid-19 times: You can get to the doctor almost anytime, anywhere, be it on your screen, via voice or plain text for a lower price than in-person consult Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi Telehealth is bridging the gap between patient and physicians. The physician can now virtually visit the stay-at-home patient and heal from a distance Telemedicine in covid-19 times:  When 37-year-old Priyanka was down with fever and dry cough, she decided to consult a doctor over a WhatsApp call before giving her blood sample for an RT-PCR test. Based on her symptoms, the physician alerted her that it wasn't a mild Covid infection but a moderate one. His diagnosis was confirmed when the test report showed a viral load count of 20. “The massive benefits of telemedicine became evident during the pandemic,” says Priyanka’s doctor, New Delhi-based consultant physician Dr Arvind Kumar. “Everything is about time and if my patients have complications late at ni...

From calories to caring: Festival gifting takes a health-conscious turn

  Celebrating without guilt: The rise of health-first festive gifting By Namrata Kohli For decades, Diwali gifting was synonymous with pyramids of laddoos, boxes of kaju katli, and overflowing trays of barfi. But 2025 is telling a different story. Urban consumers—especially millennials and Gen Z—are looking beyond sugar-laden sweets and mass-produced hampers. Instead, they are gravitating towards thoughtful, mindful, and wellness-first gifting options. The new gift economy is driven by health consciousness, a preference for artisanal over industrial, and a desire to make gifting more personal than perfunctory. From sugar-free mithais and protein-rich dry fruit hampers to wellness teas, artisanal honey, handcrafted chocolates, and immunity-boosting superfoods, this year’s festive tables are being reshaped by a blend of indulgence and intention. As Bharat Shishodia, Centre Head at Lakeshore Mall in Pune, puts it:  “We’re seeing a sharp rise in wellness hampers—dry fruits, cold-p...

India's traditional handicrafts forge a festive comeback as Diwali gifts

Aadyam, an Aditya Birla initiative, is known for curating artisanal, handwoven, and handcrafted products from India’s rich weaving clusters. Their festive hampers have become quite sought-after, especially among those who want gifting to carry cultural value and sustainability along with aesthetics. Handmade for the Heart By Namrata Kohli This Diwali, the sparkle isn’t just in the fairy lights or the glittering gold jewelry. It’s in gifts that tell a story. Families across India are moving away from imported candles, mass-produced crockery, and boxes of chocolates with predictable branding. Instead, they are gravitating toward presents rooted in Indian craft traditions: handwoven stoles, terracotta diyas, bamboo baskets, and Dokra artefacts. The gifting hampers don’t just offer beautiful objects — they carry a deeper purpose: they celebrate the skill, heritage, and authenticity of India’s weaving clusters. As Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly urged — “Gifts should be those made in In...