shot-button
Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi
Home > Mumbai Guide News > Things To Do News > Article > Mumbai unplugged This bands debut EP captures the citys vibe through a musical fusion

Mumbai, unplugged: This band's debut EP captures the city's vibe through a musical fusion

Updated on: 16 August,2024 09:43 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Shriram Iyengar | shriram.iyengar@mid-day.com

With their debut EP, Bombay Lights evoke through music the city’s vibe that blends classical harmonies and Western jazz rhythms

Mumbai, unplugged: This band's debut EP captures the city's vibe through a musical fusion

(From left) Omkar Dhumal, Umesh Warbhuvan, Vinayak Pol, Sayar Mitra, Nusrat Apoorv and Niranjan Joshi

For composer Vinayak Pol, the idea of fusion was a part of life. Growing up in Sion, the drummer would listen to the classical and semi-classical works of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar alongside the Bollywood melodies of RD Burman and Lata Mangeshkar at home while also being entranced by South Indian Carnatic music wafting from the temples in Sion and Matunga. “I always wanted to use these elements and bring them together in fusion. Most fusion focuses on the Western harmonies to tie together Indian rhythms. I wanted to build on the traditional Indian sounds and classical forms through the instrumentation,” Pol shares.


This gives his band, Bombay Lights’ debut EP, Come on home, a dash of charm. The three-track compilation is a beautiful mix that made this writer conflicted. There is something at once familiar and strange about the listening experience. The six-member band features Pol (drums), Umesh Warbhuvan (percussions), Nusrat Apoorv (vocals, harmonium), Omkar Dhumal (shehnai, saxophone), Niranjan Joshi (keyboard) and Sayar Mitra (bass).


“I believe that dissonance is due to the presence of the shehnai,” Pol admits. Played by Dhumal, it adds a haunting but lovely harmony to the very jazzy title track, Come on home. “We were trying multiple sounds, but that track gave us the signature — of blending a very ethnic instrument with a futuristic harmony,” Pol reveals.


It finds another element in Quarbat, a lyric-heavy track with vocals by Nusrat Apoorv, inspired by the Eid celebrations across the city. “As the title of the band suggests, we were hoping to recreate a sound that reflects the energy of the city. Quarbat was a tribute to the qawwali, Sufi influences in music that run deep through the city,” the drummer notes. While Pol has been performing with different musicians on Bombay Lights since 2017, this line-up, he says, is finally set. It certainly makes for a good beginning.

Log on to: Come on home on Spotify; Apple Music

Also Read: Mumbai-based band Blakc's latest album showcases different rock influences

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK