In the Works

I recently took on a new project from an artist to distribute their songs and produce their videos. One song has been delivered, and the album cover and video production for one song has been completed.

On the release front, I am putting out my Guruji's new EP — "The Best of Ghulam Hasan Khan 2026" — on 5th June. Following that, on 6th June, Sir's podcast with Taal Tattva is lined up on their channel, and they were more than happy to have us. We will also be using this as an opportunity to advertise the company and promote the Extended Playlist.

The Nashist project has wrapped up — audio and video editing is done and delivered. The live album is now ready to go and has been sent for release on DSPs.

On a personal front, my own project — Bombay Diaries, a musical story— has moved into the theatrical phase, and rehearsals will be starting soon.

I also have an exciting collaboration coming up with Vihanga Rukshan, a Sri Lankan dancer, my big brother, and the first real artist I witnessed seriously and wholeheartedly pursuing a career in his art — someone who truly stands among the best in his field. The project involves recording ghazals for him to create videos on. He initiated this for my benefit, so that I have some recordings and an album to show for my work and get a bit of promotion along the way.

Lastly, February's Favourite has expanded into the IT sector. My co-founder takes on freelance projects for websites and apps, and to avoid complications that come without proper agreements, we are now formalising this work under the February's favourite umbrella.

The One-Eyed Singer

So, this is about my 2nd year practical for Diploma in Hindustani Vocals — and the first time I was ever going to sing classical somewhere formal.

I chose Raag Bhimpalasi as my choice raag. Took a few classes from sir specifically for it, but I hadn't been regular with my classical practice, so I was obviously not fully prepared. No preparation for viva either.

The day came. I had prepared my alaaps, chota khayal, some taans, bol alaap — I had put together whatever I could. But I knew from the very beginning that my taal would break after the bol alaap in the bandish. And it did. I started from sam — the 1st beat — when the composition actually begins from the 9th matra, the khaali, in Teentaal. That was the one mistake I made.

But I sang. And the examiner was surprised. "Being a 2nd year, you sing like a 6th year — the gamak, the taans." She said she was satisfied with just this one raag and didn't ask me to sing another. She praised my guruji, told me to learn more raags and keep it up.

I was so relieved she didn't ask any theory questions or call for another raag — because I didn't know any of them. Lucky, to say the least.

I believe her remark genuinely, that there is potential — but honestly, for me it felt more like "andhon mein kaana raaja". I got away with what I had.

Next year, I want to go in with my basics solid, more raags in hand, and no luck needed.

Announcement of my existence

So, I tried again this year, around the same time after his birthday. I sent Arijit Singh a letter to his hometown, Jiaganj, on the 2nd of May, and it reached on the 6th — yesterday.

As usual, you hope for a miracle, but obviously that doesn’t really happen here — at least not in my case.

I was thinking that if I were in his place, maybe I also wouldn’t directly do something for someone completely unknown. But at the very least, I think I would connect that artist to my team or someone around me — just for the sake of the fact that he or she is trying. Not a complete shutdown. Maybe. I don’t know.

I genuinely don’t like hindering anyone’s privacy. I try not to even call a person twice, or let the phone ring for too long. I don’t like bothering people unless it’s important, or unless the person truly matters to me.

I’m planning to create rough drafts of my originals and maybe go there directly someday. Let’s see what I do, or what happens. Because honestly, I genuinely feel that songs rarely get justice until someone respected is involved with them.

So maybe this second time was simply my announcement of existence — that somewhere, someone is trying.

10 AM / 10 PM

10 AM - WHY  FAME

If you are capable enough, and you truly know your work, you don’t need to be famous to be respected in a room. Respect can exist without recognition.

Fame, many times, is chased when there’s a gap—when you’re not yet “someone,” and you want to feel important, to feel exclusive. It becomes a way to compensate.

But a person who is actually important doesn’t need that. He is respected by his mere presence—because of who he is and the work he has done.

10 PM - THE PHILOSOPHY OF MONEY

We are often told: do good things, do good deeds, work hard—and you will succeed. And everyone knows what “success” usually means in the society: Money. 

But money does not concern itself with you being a good person or a bad person. It is neutral. Not all good people are rich, and not all bad people are rich. Money does not come to you just because you are a good or bad, it comes to those who know how to earn it—who know how to claim it.

It is that simple. It has nothing to do with your character.