Siyum Makes a Towering Debut with Experimental Rock Song ‘Kugti’

Himachal Pradesh’s multi-instrumentalist Siyum aka Shivam Nayar dreams out loud on his atmospheric, soaring debut single “Kugti,” inspired by the Kugti Valley in his home state.

With lyrics in his local language Chambyali, “Kugti” feels like a diary entry from an eventful day that brings out the charm of the valley as well as goes a level deeper into musing about the larger picture in life. Inspired by experimentalists like Slint and My Bloody Valentine as well as Pink Floyd and The Beatles, Siyum says he also takes from stoner/doom and black metal.

There’s a bit of roominess that recalls post-rock and prog songwriting on “Kugti,” which the artist describes as experimental rock. While the song was recorded in Syium’s bedroom studio, it was mixed and mastered by New Delhi-based producer Ritwik De (from instrumental act Zokova). A press release adds, “’Kugti’ is a transformative journey through Pahadi culture, evoking the euphoria of nature and the serenity of the mountains.”

The song was inspired by a research trip that Siyum took in 2019 as part of a college project, one that led him to his home district Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. The artist describes it as an “unforgettable adventure with friends” in a press release. He says “Kugti” goes on to “capture the essence of those shared moments – the euphoria of nature, the deep connection with Pahadi culture, and the spiritual serenity of the mountains.”

He clarifies that even though it’s written in Chambyali, the song is told from the perspective of his friends, serving up a mix of the artist’s cultural roots alongside an outsider’s perspective. He says, “I grew up in Chamba, a small town in Himachal Pradesh, surrounded by the Himalayas. My connection with nature has always been profound, and it’s influenced my life and music deeply. I’ve been creating art since I was a child, and music became another medium for me to express myself. It started as a game with my mom, where we’d give each other 3 or 4 random words and we had to make up songs using those words. So I started developing a sense of melody and songwriting ever since then.”

A guitarist since the age of 13, Siyum was in and out of a band before deciding to go solo. To that end, he now has his debut He adds, “With this song, I want people to realize how short and mysterious life is. It’s about enjoying life while it lasts because before we fully understand it, it’s over. I hope my music helps people appreciate the fleeting beauty of our existence.”