Seldom do we come across a band that not only plays soulful music but also stands up for important social issues. Bengaluru-based folk/fusion band Swarathma, known for their unique musical style, is setting an inspiring example with their fourth studio album, “Raushan,” which symbolizes a state of liberation and the feeling of lightness within.
Remarkably, Swarathma has adopted a novel approach for their latest album by deciding to release each song separately. This strategy has not only afforded them more time to perfect each track but has also given fans a chance to savor their music during their ongoing tour. “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,” said guitarist Varun Murali, reflecting the band’s excitement about this creative experiment.
One standout track in the album is ‘Bas,’ a poignant commentary on the current state of our world and how the band chooses to address it through their art. “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,” Varun added, underlining the band’s openness to diverse listener perspectives.
Another upcoming track, ‘Aiyanar Kudurai,’ tells the story of a horse’s journey and marks a significant first for Swarathma—they are delving into the Tamil music scene. For this venture, they have collaborated with Anthony Dasan, a renowned folk/fusion artist from Tamil Nadu. The band is currently completing the final mixing and mastering of the track and has been performing it live to gauge audience reaction. “We enjoy such collaborations as they bring forth fresh ideas and styles that sometimes contrast beautifully with our own,” said violinist Sanjeev Nayak.
In addition to their musical innovations, Swarathma has taken tangible steps toward environmental sustainability. During their ongoing eco-tours, they have committed to using solar and clean energy for their concert systems across several Indian cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Lucknow. This initiative, one of their most enriching and challenging projects to date, started when they partnered with the SELCO Foundation, which focuses on making renewable energy accessible to communities. “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 bassist Jishnu Dasgupta.
This ambitious idea sparked a series of events culminating in SUNNY, a 100KVA clean energy system.
. SUNNY now travels with the band on their eight-city concert tour, powering the sound, visuals, and occasionally even the lights using solar or other clean energy sources, completely eliminating the need for traditional 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 organizers alike,” Jishnu emphasized.
Moreover, Swarathma is passionately involved in protecting urban green spaces through their ‘Tour of Trees’ initiative. They recently took their eco-friendly efforts a step further by organizing an acoustic jam in Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park to support the city’s green cover. Under the ‘Tour of Trees,’ the band collaborates with organizations dedicated to preserving urban greenery—a cause that deeply resonates with them. “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,” Jishnu explained.
Vocalist Vasu Dixit added, “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 tackled crucial social issues through their music, addressing topics like child sexual abuse, rapid urbanization, and even political satire.
“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,” Vasu concluded, eloquently summarizing the band’s philosophy.
As Swarathma continues to blend their melodic creations with strong social messages, they not only inspire their listeners but set a precedent for how art can powerfully contribute to societal change. With “Raushan,” the band not only explores new musical frontiers but also continues its commendable journey of raising awareness and advocating for an eco-friendly future.
