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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
#WorldMusicDay: Hariharan, Harshdeep Kaur and Meghna Mishra: 'Sing from your heart, it'll always connect'
What binds three generations of musicians together? A shared passion for authenticity, artistry and emotional connection. Today, on World Music Day, voices from three generations – the legendary , the soulful , and the young talent Meghna Mishra – converge for an exclusive conversation with us. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They speak about their love for monsoon melodies, how they stay rooted in an ever-changing soundscape and the magic of meaningful music in a remix-heavy world. The pretty backdrop of Powai Lake, along with a light drizzle, set the rhythm for this special interview. Do you feel music and monsoons have a connection? What are your favourite rain songs? Hariharan : Absolutely! O Sajana Barkha Bahar Aayi, what a song! I remember sitting and listening to the song at a park in a Parsi colony, in Matunga, near my old family home. It was playing on the radio in one of the homes. The memory of rain, music and scent merging into magic is so vivid. Then, Colonial Cousins had the song Indian Rain in our first album. Another favourite track is Sawan Barse Tarse Dil (Dahek). Harshdeep : There's such a beautiful connection between music and monsoons. Indian classical music even has ragas like Megh Malhar that evoke the spirit of the rains, expressing love, longing and joy. One song that hits home for me is Nahin Samne Tu (Taal) by Hariharanji. Another favourite is Ab Ke Sawan by Shubha Mudgalji. Meghna : Music is deeply connected to nature, it's a language of emotion. One of my all-time favourite rain songs is Megha O Re Megha by Hemlataji. The first time I heard it, tears flowed uncontrollably. What's the one change you'd like to see in the Indian music industry? Harshdeep : Listeners often complain about the kind of music being released, but they also have the power to shape the industry. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It is their responsibility, too, to encourage clean and good music. Support artistes who are genuine, who've dedicated their lives to music. That makes a difference. Hariharan : We need more originality. Innovation and expression are crucial. If you create music for the joy of it, it elevates the listener. A song without visuals lets the imagination soar, like reading a book versus watching a movie. Remixes are fine, but we shouldn't live in nostalgia. An artiste becomes relevant when they create something new, that's when magic happens. If the three of you collaborated on one genre-blending track, what would it sound like? Hariharan : Harshdeep has a deep, spiritual tone, while Meghna's voice has a beautiful innocence. I'd create a track blending swaras, aalaaps, sargams, a pop-style bandish, and even shlokas. Leslee Lewis would be perfect for composing and writing this genre-fusing piece. Harshdeep : An indie-folk song with classical textures, something rooted and melodic. Someone like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy or Rahman sir would be perfect to compose it. Meghna : I'm currently tripping on South Indian music. It would be amazing if the three of us could do a South Indian track composed by AR Rahman sir, M Jayachandran sir. In a world full of remixes and reels, how do you stay rooted in meaningful music? Hariharan : Enjoy remixes if you like, but don't get swept up in trends. If you only make what others want, you'll eventually feel hollow. Put out music that you love. That's how you stay grounded and creatively fulfilled. Harshdeep, how do you balance adapting to changing trends while preserving your unique identity? It's important to evolve with changing sounds, but never lose your roots. I treat my voice like an instrument, constantly experimenting with tone and style depending on the song. Soulful music will never go out of style. Life is chaotic — people seek calm, and music is one of the best ways to heal. Meghna, what's something you've learned from watching artistes like Hariharan and Harshdeep Kaur that no classroom could teach? Performance. Every artiste has a unique style, and I've learned so much by watching them live – how they improvise, produce, and most importantly, how they connect with the audience. That connection is what sets a performer apart. Is there a song of yours that you feel was underrated and deserved more love? Harshdeep : Waah Sajna, a Sufi song I released in 2023. Hariharan : My ghazal album Waqt Par Bolna, which I think is one of my best. Meghna : Ki Bas, a ghazal composed by Sanjay Kumar Mishra and written by the late Aziz Ghazipuriji. Rapid fire with Hariharan, Harshdeep and Meghna (L-R) Harshdeep Kaur, Meghna Mishra and Hariharan One song you wish you'd sung? Hariharan : Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega Harshdeep : Lambi Judai Meghna : Kaash by Hariharanji Riyaaz in the morning or midnight jams? Hariharan : Riyaaz in the morning Harshdeep : Both Meghna : Riyaaz in the morning Classical ragas or unplugged gigs? Hariharan : Classical ragas Harshdeep : Unplugged gigs Meghna : Classical ragas Describe music in one word Hariharan : Spirituality Harshdeep : Oxygen Meghna : Life
News18
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Leslee Lewis EXCLUSIVE: On 'Meheki Khushboo', Reinventing Indipop, Colonial Cousins & MORE
The legendary Indipop pioneer Leslee Lewis sat down for a hearty chat in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18's Yatamanyu Narain, where he spoke about the making of his latest single 'Meheki Khushboo' from Phir Se Rock & Roll. He also shared how he continues to reshape genres like blues, classic rock, and jazz within the Indian soundscape. As one half of the iconic Colonial Cousins, Leslee also recounted his groundbreaking performance on MTV Unplugged. Check out his full interview right here. bollywood news | entertainment news live | latest bollywood news | bollywood | news18 | n18oc_moviesLiked the video? Please press the thumbs up icon and leave a comment. Subscribe to Showsha YouTube channel and never miss a video: Showsha on Instagram: Showsha on Facebook: Showsha on X: Showsha on Snapchat: entertainment and lifestyle news and updates on:
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Emotion, not algorithms, still drives great music: Leslee Lewis
Leslee Lewis reflects on the evolving music landscape, embracing AI as a tool while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human emotion in music. He highlights the need for visibility for independent artists and shares his upcoming projects including a live concert series celebrating 90s music. Few names evoke nostalgia and musical innovation in equal measure the way Leslee Lewis does. From iconic tracks like Paree Hoon Main, Pal to Janam Samjha Karo, Leslee's journey has been one of reinvention, resilience, and rootedness. As one of the pioneers of India's pop and indie scene, and one-half of the legendary duo Colonial Cousins, he continues to create music that lingers long after the last note. In this exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, the singer-composer reflects on the role of artificial intelligence, and how independent music can still rise, if given the wings of visibility. Independent music seems to be thriving, but is it truly replacing the platform that film music once provided? Absolutely. But I believe we're just looking in the wrong direction. Back when we had Paree Hoon Main, Janam Samjha Karo, Krishna, Yaaron Dosti, and Pal, we also had platforms like Channel V and MTV to let the music fly. The content is still very much here — songs like Meheki Khushboo, Tere Bina Love, Doob Doob Doob, and Dil Chahe Desi Girl — they're born to live in hearts. But visibility needs its wings again. The independent space is glowing with talent, it just needs to be seen and heard. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo ' AI is now composing melodies, writing lyrics, even replicating voices. How do you view this intersection of tech and music? I welcome it, as I would welcome any tool that enhances the creative journey. When computers first arrived, people feared redundancy. When Auto-Tune came, many said 'now anyone can sing'. But that's never the whole story. Mastering a tool is what makes it powerful. AI is no different, it's the calculator in an exam, not the brain. The melody still begins with a dream. If you can guide AI with vision, it will serve you. But you must lead it, not follow it. ' Do you think AI threatens the emotional depth that defines great music? AI will never replace emotion. It can enhance, assist, and inspire, but it cannot breathe or break the way a human does when they sing a heartbreak, a joy, a memory. The soul of music lies in being human. AI is just an instrument. The player still has to be alive inside.' Have you personally experimented with AI-based tools in your own process? Not yet. Meheki Khushboo was born the old way, with clarity, heart, and a vision I could feel in my veins. But I'm open to experimenting. I see AI as a tool that could soon help me create music videos, new sounds, and layered experiences. Maybe next time, AI will join my jam.' Looking ahead, how do you see AI impacting employment and artistry in the music industry? Like every revolution, this one too will reshape the landscape. But real music — music with memory and melody — will always need real minds and hearts. AI will coexist, and musicians will evolve with it. The trick is to stay grounded in your art, and not let the tools redefine the artist.' You've contributed to India's musical legacy. What keeps your creative flame alive? Creativity is my constant companion. It doesn't live outside of me, it sings within. From Paree Hoon Main to Meheki Khushboo, I've never tried to chase trends. I've simply followed the melody that feels honest, that speaks to you. That's my journey, timeless and true.' What advice would you give to musicians trying to sustain themselves creatively and financially in today's climate? There's no magic formula. This journey is not for the faint-hearted; it's for those who breathe music even when the world goes silent. You have to be crazy enough, passionate enough, and mad enough to keep moving forward even when failure stands in your way. True talent often shines brightest in its darkest hour. That hunger, that fire, that's what forges greatness.' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Lata Mangeshkar copied some of Noor-e-Jahan's style, want to bring that back: Leslee Lewis
Legendary composer behind cult classics like Pari Hoon Main and one half of the iconic Colonial Cousins, Leslee Peter Lewis, is scripting a new chapter in his musical journey. Speaking to us, Leslee shares how, to cater to his young audience and the masses, he changed his style of working. 'I've composed it, sung it, recorded it, and released it myself. I'm as independent as it gets,' shares Leslee as he talks about his new single, Meheki Khushboo. Managing every part of production solo has its challenges, but for Leslee, it's worth it. "I wanted people to ask, 'Did you really write this?' That was the desperation—to reach the youth," shares Leslee, adding: "There are so many independent artists these days. While I understood my audience, I knew I couldn't sing the way I always have. It was a conscious decision to sing in my own language (Hindi) so as to reach the masses. Today's youth is my target audience, and if they want me to sing in their language, so would I. Having said that, no journey is easy." Lesle believes the current music landscape is dominated by arrangements, not strong compositions. 'There's a scarcity of good songs that truly stay with you. There is no depth in the lyrics or composition to the music which is being created. Going viral has become as easy as it can get,' shares Leslee, adding, 'A good composition is like natural beauty. Arrangement is just the styling.' While many chase trends with remixes, he moves forward with fresh material. Ask him if he plans to recreate any of his cult classics like Bombay Girl (1994), Meri Neend (2002), and Paree Hoon Main (1991); the composer says, "I've got 60, 70, 80 songs. Why recreate when I can create? I believe in working on original content and would prefer focusing on that. Even though I have been approached to recreate my cult classics, personally, I am not too keen." The singer-composer believes in moving ahead with time, as that has been his philosophy from the start of his career. "I have believed in reforming things for me. Change is very important, and if AI will bring that change, what's the harm? It's a great tool—like a computer. But you have to be the master. If the machine starts making the creative decisions, you've already lost control. I dream music; I don't ask the machine to do it for me,' says Leslee. Even as indie music gains traction in India, he feels song writing still needs to catch up. 'There are plenty of guitar-strumming singer-songwriters. But they lack the main core of it, as when you compare them to the likes of James Taylor or Joni Mitchell, our melodies are still catching up.' 'I want to introduce India to its own cultural DNA. Like how our grandparents had Noor Jehan—she had a sound, a style of her own. Even the great Lata Mangeshkar copied her, she adopted so much of her style. That's what I want to bring back," says Leslee, wrapping up.
