Collaborative Series Sounds of Society Unveils New Indo-Mediterranean Release ‘Wind Blows Where It Wants’

The genre-free collaboration series Sounds of Society taps into a handshake between two music traditions with their fifth video release, “Wind Blows Where It Wants.” Shot in Goa, the song features the earthy oud playing and vocals of French-Iraqi Mohamed Alnuma, stirring sarangi by Jodhpur-born Dilshad Khan and an efficient rhythmic balance provided by tabla artist Raul Sengupta. 

“Wind Blows Where It Wants,” originally written by Alnuma, is described in a press release as “a song of the four elements, extracted from their conventional sense — where wind is the immanence of ‘what is,’ water is the ‘process,’ fire is what is given to ‘sense’ and Earth is our ‘final destination.'” 

While Alnuma is hailed as a “nomadic artist” who’s been part of projects in Germany, France, Turkey, Israel and even India, Sengupta is of Indian and German origin. The tabla player has performed with artists ranging from fusion composer Prem Joshua, while Rajasthani sarangi artist Dilshad Khan has shared the stage with everyone from tabla ace Zakir Hussain, vocal powerhouse Shankar Mahadevan, percussionists such as Sivamani and Trilok Gurtu and more. The result is a seamless and calming collaboration that might just take the listener away to the setting of a multicultural music festival. 

Curated by Goa-based Urban Beat Project and its founder Laiq Qureshi, Sounds of Society has brought on artists such as hip-hop crew Swadesi, singer-producer Tritha and more. Qureshi says in a statement, “Some of the best music is made when musicians come together without any real aim in mind, and when they are free of going anywhere particular with their music. Like in a jam. What comes out is pure and organic. This what we want to showcase.”

Watch the video of “Wind Blows Where It Wants”