Exclusive Premiere: Watch Aseem Get Playful and Pensive in ‘Dekhoon Jidhar Bhi’ Video

As much as the music recording studio is considered a place where songs take shape and come to life in their intended manner, it can often be a tedious place. With the constant retakes and endless poring over every microsecond of tracks, Pune-based singer, producer and sound engineer Aseem Dhaneshwar (who goes by his first name) flips that narrative as he pulls in collaborators to clown around and hones in on the sound of his latest song “Dekhoon Jidhar Bhi.”

Part of his upcoming debut full-length album Pehchaan, the song is Aseem’s way of introducing the core concept of the seven-track record. In a charming way of singing and with folksy, pop arrangements, Aseem asks the world why we always put each other down, when we could just try to understand each other instead. He adds in a statement, “Appearances and comparisons make us feel ashamed of ourselves, and we learn to believe the things people say about us. This self-doubt makes us lose our drive. Is it possible to listen to someone with respect instead of envy? Can we find faith within us? Can creative freedom be found through the freedom to be completely yourself?”

In the music video shot by filmmakers Kaustubh Joshi and Zariya, we see Aseem, drummer Rahul Hariharan, bassist Chlkwrk aka Mayoor Darda and sound engineers Nitin Joshi and Prateek Kelkar get into the thick of things while heartily enjoying themselves. Undoubtedly an introspective song, “Dekhoon Jidhar Bhi” follows songs like “Baalama” (for bassist-producer Ashwin Shriyan), “Lamhe” (with Zariya), “Khayaal” and “Khoya.” In 2020, Aseem released his debut EP Ilaaj.

As for Pehchaan, the album draws from the pandemic period of lockdowns and isolation. Each song from the seven-track album will be released as singles every fortnight, starting from September until December. Aseem adds, “It consists of seven songs mapping the search for one’s identity. Grappling with the dilemmas young people face as they grow and evolve, the songs ask questions about understanding oneself, making sense of one’s past and one’s mind, dealing with anxiety and grief, and learning to weather the difficulties life throws at you. The answers are ultimately found within us, and in the people and places close to our heart, which ground us and give us direction.”

Watch the video for “Dekhoon Jidhar Bhi” below.