Inayat’s Debut Album ‘Danka’ Draws from Indian Mythology, ‘Jungle Book’ and More

Mumbai act Inayat’s debut album Danka is clearly a labor of love and it does a lot to evoke intrigue from the first impression – its striking artwork features the band members styled in a way that reflects their five-track album’s themes and once you hit play, Danka brings forward experimental sound that ties together fusion, rock, prog and theatrical storytelling.

The album comes two years after Inayat’s previous single “Pravasa” and starts with a strong visual impression, becoming one of those records whose artwork you might be staring at long and hard as you tune in to songs like “Surpanakha” (drawing from the Ramayana with its spoken word movements) and “Mowgli” (inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s work Jungle Book’s main character and featuring plenty of sound design) and more.

Ritik Mehta – composer, producer and guitarist in Inayat – teamed up with filmmaker Kriti Edwankar (who serves as creative director on the project) as part of his company Pencil & Frames for the visual look of Danka. Mehta says, “Set against the rustic backdrop of a village home, the album’s visual representation offers a raw, relatable glimpse into the lives of its characters. The album’s thematic resonance led us to the concept of the five characters, each symbolizing a song and an era.” Edwankar, for her part, says that the artwork is a representation of the “soul-stirring melodies and diverse tales” that make up Danka.

Vocalist Abhishek Venkitakrishnan and writer Tanay Shah complete the Inayat lineup on Danka, along with bassist Jordan Machado and percussionist Kanishk Ajmera. There are prog rock hues on the Sufi-inspired “Anal Haq” and the troubling title track “Danka” and a more journeying fusion sound (perhaps influenced by the likes of Indian Ocean) on “Bhed Abheda.”

In the works for more than a year, Venkitakrishnan – who could go back to his Carnatic vocal training for Danka – says about the making, “As melodies intertwined, so did our hearts. It was more than a recording session; it was a realization that our art had a profound purpose. The songs weren’t just for us; they were threads that wove us closer to the world around us. In that moment, our harmonies weren’t just musical, they were a testament to our belief in the power of art to bind and heal.”

Machado, who is also part of pop-rock band Kirdaar and singer-songwriter Brecilla’s collective, brought his “crazy energy” to Danka according to the band. He says about the album in a press release, “Just by shutting your eyes, you transcend into a space where you actually feel the stories that are spoken about. I invite directors and producers who are looking forward to making a musical to consider Danka as these stories that can impact society.”

Listen to ‘Danka’ below.