Bengaluru-based folk/fusion band Swarathma, renowned for their soulful melodies and socially-conscious themes, has introduced yet another fascinating project that harmonizes music with pressing societal issues. Their recently launched fourth studio album, Raushan, epitomizes a state of liberation and inner tranquility. Uniquely, the band opted for an unconventional release strategy, unveiling each song individually to allow in-depth attention to detail during their hectic tour schedule. According to Varun Murali, a band member, “There is no running theme to this album, so each song has its own thing going on. It’s interesting even for us because we don’t know how the next one is going to turn out.”
The band’s latest song, ‘Bas’, resonates deeply with current global and national challenges, encouraging listeners to form individual interpretations. “I’ve heard a couple of my friends interpret it quite differently, and that’s actually great. So, I would love to hear how people interpret it,” noted Murali. This open-ended approach to their music typifies Swarathma’s desire to engage audiences in meaningful dialogues sparked by their art.
Next on the docket is ‘Aiyanar Kudurai’, an unprecedented venture for Swarathma into Tamil music—a song narrating the journey of a horse. This track saw the band collaborating with Anthony Dasan, a celebrated folk/fusion artist from Tamil Nadu. Currently undergoing final mixing and mastering, the song is already being road-tested live to gauge audience reactions. “We enjoy such collaborations as they bring forth fresh ideas and styles that sometimes contrast beautifully with our own,” commented Sanjeev Nayak, another band member.
In an ambitious and environmentally-conscious move, Swarathma’s current series of eco-tours utilizes solar and clean energy for key concert systems. Cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Lucknow have hosted these eco-friendly performances. The initiative emerged from a collaboration with the SELCO Foundation, which focuses on accessible renewable energy solutions for communities. During the composition of a song for SELCO, the band mulled over the audacious idea of powering a 1,000-person concert purely through renewable energy. “In the course of composing a song for them, we came up with a wild idea of powering a 1,000-person concert with renewable energy,” recalled Jishnu Dasgupta.
This vision materialized into SUNNY, a portable 100KVA clean energy system, which accompanies the band on its eight-city tour.
. The entire production setup, including sound, visuals, and sometimes even lighting, relies solely on solar or other clean energy sources, eliminating the conventional dependence on diesel generators. “We hope to set a new standard for environmentally-conscious entertainment and promote the adoption of sustainable practices within the music industry. This idea resonates with the kind of music we make, and it has been heartening to see the response from audiences and organisers alike,” added Dasgupta.
Furthering their commitment to environmental sustainability, Swarathma’s ‘Tour of Trees’ initiative seeks to conserve urban green spaces. This unique project sees the band partnering with local groups dedicated to protecting the urban canopy. A recent activity involved an acoustic jam session in Bengaluru’s iconic Cubbon Park. “On the appointed day, we move from tree to tree performing acoustic versions of our songs for the trees as well as tree lovers. The announcements go like ‘9.00 am: Peepal Tree’, ‘9.30 am: Banyan Tree’, etc. It’s a humorous take on the concert tour format, but with a purpose,” explained Dasgupta.
Frontman Vasu Dixit reflects on the band’s collective artistic consciousness, stating, “As artists, we tend to be open and vulnerable to things happening around us. We are blessed to have music as a means of expressing and healing; whatever affects us gets an outlet in the form of music.” Over the years, Swarathma has boldly addressed topics such as child sexual abuse, urbanization, and political satire through their music. Dixit believes that music is a powerful medium for initiating conversations on challenging subjects. “Music is a great way to communicate and start a conversation about difficult things, and we know that it might not be an answer to everything or anything. But music definitely helps build bridges in our hearts,” he concluded.
With its innovative and conscientious approach, Swarathma not only captivates audiences with its melodies but also ignites conversations and actions around critical socio-environmental issues. The band continues to set a benchmark for others by integrating artistic expression with genuine activism, ensuring their music makes a meaningful impact—one song at a time.
