Watch Sayantika Ghosh’s Anime-Inspired Video For ‘Samurai’

After releasing her four-track debut EP Yesterday Forever last year, via Mumbai-based label Springboard Records, Kolkata-bred singer-songwriter Sayantika Ghosh went on to drop music videos for songs from the record. The artist began 2020 by releasing the pop-infused “Embrace Yourself” and followed that up with the dainty single “Aami Banglar,” her ode to Bengal. Now, Ghosh is back with her third single of the year with the formidable “Samurai,” accompanied by an anime-inspired visual.

While she was penning the new track initially, Mumbai-based Ghosh says, “I realized that this was a love song I was writing for myself.” The singer-songwriter admits that she was going through a confusing phase in her life as the pandemic hit and that her self-esteem was beaten to a pulp. Unable to write music, she says, “I’d lost perspective completely – I couldn’t even tell if a melody was enjoyable to me or not, whether it came from myself, or anywhere else.”

It was only when Ghosh was working on “Samurai” that she understood about finding a balance within herself and learned that she couldn’t be too hard or similarly too soft on herself. “I tell myself that it’s alright that I’m afraid or I’m small – but the point is I am us, made of two very different halves, but they care for me equally and when they come together I’m a stronger me, ready to take the world on,” she says. The song includes catchy pop melodies, dynamism and production by Springboard Records’ Aman Moroney and Ashish Manchanda while Ghosh’s vocals flow quite elegantly across the track.

Being an ardent fan of anime, Ghosh felt that “Samurai” would be best represented visually by tapping into that interest. “The whole sound and feel of the song has been very futuristic for me, hence the sky city and the cyberpunk vibe.” The clip – directed by Jazyl Homavazir, illustrated by Amandeep Singh and lyric animation from Hardik Vaghela – is a literal narration of what the song talks about. The video features bright color hues, striking graphics and sits perfectly with the track. Ghosh says, “The protagonist has two alter egos, one working with her and one against her, but both eventually helping her grow and find the courage to face her challenge and come out victorious.”

The singer-songwriter adds, “One element of the video I’d like to talk about is the symbol that’s shown quite a few times – Yin and yang (Ancient Chinese philosophy of dualism) with two katanas (Japanese sword) crossed behind it. I know that the elements come from two different cultures, but I think that makes it even more interesting, we wanted to show balance and strength within the same symbol.”

With this release, Ghosh explains that she’s found her healing and wants to take a step back and address issues such as mental health, seeking balance as well as being kind to herself and those around. Going forward the musician has more of her own material she’s fine-tuning and even a surprise Hindi collaboration coming out soon. She says, “I’m especially excited about this.”

Watch the video for “Samurai” below and stream the song on other platforms.