Indian sarod maestros and brothers Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash are busy with performances but even through that they are going to pause and take the time out to celebrate Holi with family but this time there is more to celebrate.

Taking their love for the festival a step further, they released a Holi music album earlier this week called ‘Holi Project: Colors and Celebration’ with Padma Shri Malini Awasthi, who is considered as the folk queen of India. This EP of five songs blends classical and folk music to produce a timeless sound that not only celebrates the Indian festival but also our culture through music. While Bollywood music is popular during this time, one can’t help but soak into the tracks that ring in our ears every time somebody utters the word ‘Holi’, as they are familiar yet sung in the folk singer’s own unique voice. 

Collaborating with Malini Awasthi
So, what made them collaborate with the celebrated folk singer? Amaan shares, “We (Ayaan bhai and me), had done an album together called, “We For Love”, in which we worked with a lot of musicians like Shubha Mudgal, Mahesh Kale and Malini Awasthi. So, we did just one track with Malini ji, and then Ayaan and I thought that we should take this forward because we've not really done any folk album, especially to do with Holi. And I thought, ‘When you go for Holi parties, I hope I can be a part of the music one day’.” Working on the album was a perfect match because they both wanted to work with each other. With an aim to showcase the authentic songs of Holi, they worked on the EP together.