Falguni Pathak on ‘Rangaara’: ‘It’s a New Start For Me’

The latest Gujarati song “Rangaara” brings together stalwart voice Falguni Pathak and the more recently established singer Aditya Gadhvi.

On the back of releasing the Coke Studio Bharat hit “Khalasi,” Pathak is added into the mix of the same team comprising Gadhvi on vocals, composer-producer Achint Thakkar sharing credits with Nirmit Shah and lyricist Saumya Joshi. Together, “Rangaara” makes for a suitably vibrant summation of the spirit of Gujarat and its people.

Over a call with Rolling Stone India, Pathak says, “I’ve sung a song like this for the first time in my life. It was a superb experience. It was a different experience.” Championing Gujarati music ever since she broke through in the Indian pop wave of the late Nineties and early 2000s with Hindi love songs like “Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi” and “Maine Payal Hai Chhankai,” Pathak became a mainstay in the global garba and Navratri festivities circuit, trusted for high-energy performances over the last two decades.

She says she’s always had a desire to sing a unifying song about Gujarat like “Rangaara” and that box has now been ticked. “The song is about the different colors of Gujarat, it’s people and how colorful Gujarat is. I think Gujaratis and people worldwide who may not understand Gujarati necessarily will also want to hear it. Even the younger generation gets to know a bit about Gujarat through this song, our traditions and culture. Through this song, they can be in touch with their culture and that’s a lovely thing,” she says.

Familiar with the hit that was spawned by Achint, Gadhvi and Joshi on “Khalasi,” Pathak says getting into the studio with the artists was a “very friendly” experience. “It didn’t feel like we were working together for the first time. It was a superb experience with everyone – they were very helpful, cooperative and supportive,” Pathak says. Time was of the essence, however. “Rangaara” was composed in about two days and sent across to Pathak. “I had to hear the tune at least 50 times. It’s a little different, you know? We decided the parts I had to sing once we were in the studio,” the singer adds.

Not only was the team of artists making the song on the go, but the music video was being shot within the same timeframe, with filmmaker Omar Iyer directing and capturing the creative energy of Pathak, Joshi, Achint, Shah and Gadhvi. “I’m not used to this much rush, but it was fun,” Pathak says with a laugh.

Terming it a “very modern but authentic” song, “Rangaara” went on to premiere on the channel Colours Gujarati and on YouTube via KaanPhod Music.

The release allows Pathak to also look back at how pop music has changed over the last 20 years or so. “It’s changed so much from the time I’ve been releasing albums. Visually and musically, there have been a lot of changes,” she says. Would she be at an advantage if Pathak had started today as an artist? “Technically, yes. If you look at this song, it’s a new start for me in a way,” she adds.  

It might just mark the first of more songs that bring Pathak back to pop and mainstream Indian music. “I want to experience some out-of-the-box songs, working out of your comfort zone also feels good,” she says.

In parallel, her big draw Navratri performances will continue taking Pathak around the world. “I feel blessed that so many people worldwide love my music. Thanks to them, not just Gujaratis in India or anywhere in the world, they may not understand the lyrics but they enjoy the music,” she says. Each year and every concert gives her the chance to explore something different, often changing up rhythms and performing different songs. “Rangaara” might just find a place at her upcoming shows as well.