In the midst of a round of auditions for Indian Idol, Ashish Kulkarni got wind of the fact that the winner of a previous reality show was also contending for the title of the 12th season. Convinced that an introduction was warranted, he knew he’d have “a lot to learn from, and share with” Pawandeep Rajan, if he befriended him. It didn’t take long for the duo to realise that their differences could be the glue that cements a promising professional relationship.

Soon after the show kicked off, they’d spend the hours they were afforded jamming with each other. “If he would compose, I would programme, and the collaboration always added colour to pieces. It was like styling a mannequin,” says Rajan, as poetic as he is melodious.