My Favorite Music: Nucleya

Udyan Sagar aka Nucleya. Illustration by Ishaan Rathod.

Udyan Sagar was born in UP, raised in Gujarat, turned South Indian street music into a monster molded for the dancefloor and has one of the most diverse range of influences, namedropping artists both new and old, international and domestic, famous and struggling.

“Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo” O.P. Nayyar/Qamar Jalalabadi (1958)

I love this song, it’s amazing how even though it’s so old it still rocks. I have started dropping it in my sets and people love it.

“Silver Flower” Talvin Singh (2001)

This song is so beautiful. Very Indian but not, very electronic but melodic at the same time, full of tension – and love too.

 Listen to “Silver Flower” here.

“Tonic (Nucleya Remix)” Midival Punditz (2010)

I’m sorry, but I’m picking a track that I remixed for Midival Punditz. Even though this is not my most famous track, I am still am very proud of this song, it’s been a couple of years but it still rocks all my gigs.

“Koyal” Nitin Sawhney (2005)

Nitin Sawhney is one composer who has the ability to not only design amazing complicated music, but and can do super minimal and beautiful composition – which I feel is tougher to compose. This track will always be on my iPod.

“Yeh Mera Deewanapan” Susheela Raman (2011)

My dad used to play this when I was little. When I heard Susheela’s version, I fell in love with it instantly – this is how you do a cover.

“Pagan Poetry” Bjork (2001)

Bjork has been a big inspiration for me from day one. Her songs are so electronic, but she still manages to keep the melodic and soulful side of song intact.

“Miss You” Trentemoller (2006)

For me, this song was a life saver. I was going through a difficult time in my life and this song literally saved me. It’s a very beautiful composition, again very minimal and simple.

“Hustle (Original Mix)” Antiserum & Mayhem (2014)

It’s very rare these days to come across an electronic track which has great hooks and this song is a winner, full marks.

“Tu Mera Dil Tu Meri Jaan” Nusrat (2011)

This particular version is out of this world, very therapeutic, very soulful. Again, this song will always be on my playlist.

“Yeh Hawa Yeh” Illayaraja (1983)

I need to thank my dad for introducing me to Illayaraja, who is a South Indian musical genius. His knowledge of music is immense. If I’m not mistaken AR Rahman used to work for him back in the day.

“Bird Flu” M.I.A. (2007)

This song is the reason why I experiment with Indian street music – Class A, genre defining sound.