Ever since it released in early July, Coke Studio Bharat’s Gujarati song “Khalasi” was taken on a life of its own, propelled by festival season and short-form video platforms. The song, composed by Achint and sung by Aditya Gadhvi, has reportedly surpassed 4.5 billion views across platforms.
Photo: YouTube
The composer, producer and vocalist Achint Thakkar had a breakthrough in Indian mainstream music with the dizzying theme for the series Scam 1992, but he’s also been a formidable solo artist leaning on fusion, rock and pop.
Photo: YouTube
A few years into the Gujarati film soundtrack and folk music space, singer Aditya Gadhvi is also known for songs like “Luv Ni Love Storys” and “Rang Morla.”
Photo: Abhishek Shukla/The Humming Tree
Creative architect on Coke Studio Bharat’s renewed outing, Tewari is the one who often puts together the team that makes the music, giving “Khalasi” its diverse Gujarati folk fusion and pop rock edge.
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Dhruv Visvanath adds another feat to his big year, after appearing on the Apple TV series My Kind of Country, by adding his percussive guitar flair to “Khalasi.” The singer-songwriter and producer released his debut album Orion in 2015.
Photo: Maan Boruah
A veteran lyricist and writer part of the Indian theater industry, Saumya Joshi has often turned his Gujarati poetry into songs for artists and even written for Hindi movies. For “Khalasi” he transports listeners to the life of a sailor.
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Although not credited as a band, pop/punk act The Lightyears Explode founders Saurabh Roy and Shalom Benjamin contribute guitar and bass, respectively to “Khalasi.” They’re best known for their high-energy, angsty and sometimes dance-y music as a band.
Photo: Omar Iyer
Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Aarifah serves as ace percussionist and drummer for several Coke Studio Bharat songs and drives the beat on “Khalasi.”
Photo: Ronit Sarkar