There are very few melodies that address the turmoil within your heart and leave you with consolation and warmth in a world full of tranquility. ‘Tera Hua’ is that very medicine you need in times of mayhem. The California-based Music Producer Janapriyan Levine shared on his social media, “It’s grumpy, sad, tender, divine. Everything I love in a song.” and perhaps that is the best way to sum this euphonic voyage.
Madhulika Gupta | BeatCurry Team
THE PANDEMONIUM OF LONELINESS
It is strange that what was just thought to be a song about heart-break came out to be the harbinger of the effect of solitude in testing times such as these. There was a tremendous effect on the mental health of people across the world. The rise of technology might make it easy for us to complete a business meeting across the seas, yet it has become challenging to find a loved one near to us. People have started fearing the darkness, except it is the ghost of solitude and lack of intimacy that is keeping them glued to shiny screens even at the cost of their self-belief. “Tera Hua” by Janapriyan, sung by Vikalp Sharma focuses on this relationship, eventually making the listeners feel motivated, uplifted and positive.
The video begins with Janapriyan Levine playing the vintage keys within the four walls, at times sitting on his couch with mannequins and old television sets. The beginning of the music is a warm welcome to the world we are transported to, and the visuals just make you feel at home instantly. The animation by Ekabhuya Animation is just the icing on the cake expressing Levine’s purpose more effectively.
Watch the Hindi original Tera Hua by Levine, here:
Janapriyan Levine, an adventurer at the crossroads of East and West, has made a name for himself with his unique and divine sound. Janapriyan, who was born in New York City and now resides in California, has a rich musical experience with many prominent singers both in and outside of India. In 2001, he recorded his debut solo album in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Since then, he has collaborated on original music with Shweta Subram (the voice of Jalebi baby), south India’s Varijashree Venugopal, Rajasthan’s Dhoad Gypsies, Veena maestro Rajhesh Vaidhya, playback vocalist Suvarna Tiwari, and many more. He is producing a series of music videos on his YouTube channel featuring a different artist each month, collaborating with some of India’s well-known singers.
Photograph: Courtesy of Janapriyan Levine, California
BeatCurry had the opportunity to interview the star himself and the exclusive interaction was nothing short of insightful and buoyant!
You have showcased a broad range of collaborations with unique and diverse Indian artists. Before getting into the release, take us through your affinity to India, your exposure to Indian Music, and as to how you were fascinated by this genre. Take us through your Indian roots and connections?
I traveled to India in 2001 and I had an interest in Eastern and Western spirituality, that’s where I met my guru Shri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, lovingly known as ‘Amma.’ I have been traveling in her ashrams, and I stayed in India for about 6 months. Then I continued to go back and forth all the time for professional reasons, and now I majorly go for collaboration, and back here in the States, I would often be called to accompany Indian artists for concerts.
You said one night you were woken by a dream, a vision that you had about the song, and you imagined the same exact things that we have seen in the video. Ever since that vision until today, what was your thought process of making Tera Hua like? How did the music, lyrics and video fall in place?
Tera Hua started with a little music, and I wondered who I should work with. I remembered Vikalp because he is a raw, rock and roll type of guy and the mood for this song would fit his voice. He wrote the lyrics and sang on the track and there was no concept for the video up till then. Honestly one night, this just came to me, and I felt that I needed to do this. The video that you see with the mannequins and the television, is really how I pictured it in my dream that night. It was a good solution in 2020, to have the singers show up on tv sets.
Photograph: Courtesy of Janapriyan Levine, California
The smooth vocal delivery and soothing harmonies have been one of the high points in the track. Tell us your experience of working with the Mumbai-based musician, Vikalp. How is it like working with musicians seas apart?
There’s a small section that I produce, loop and send it to singers. They have the freedom to express themselves. Once I get their vocal takes, I then start to make the arrangement of the song. The process is unique but it is as organic as one could get, emailing back and forth. Sometimes I have singers in my studio, like in February I will be releasing with Shweta, who lives in California, and several other artists like that here. But then I have worked with artists from Mumbai and Chennai also. Being in a different country does not make a difference anymore, because you can just send the track and people can sing at home.
We really appreciate the honesty with which the emotions of the song are conveyed. Well, it has certainly become or is soon to become a go-to song for all of us. What are your post-release feelings? How do you see this part of your journey?
First of all, thank you for the feedback. That says a lot about you as a listener, that you can hear it. It is very difficult in today’s world to find people who listen with that quality of presence that you obviously have. Everyone is competing for smaller slices of attention because all of our attention is divided. It is difficult to present something to our audience that requires them to hear them patiently. One thing that fascinates me is how people listen. For example when you are on a date, you can feel really connected as the other person is really listening. Other times you feel like they are just talking about themselves.
People listen differently, with different qualities of listening. The general audience is walking around scrolling with the speed of light, without any attention. When somebody actually gives 3 minutes of their time, to watch your video or listen to your track, in today’s time, is a very special thing especially as an artist. I try to make that 3 minutes as valuable as possible.
Lastly, take us through your new projects and collaborations, something that’s in store for all of us.
I release a new song every month, featuring a new singer. Sometimes it’s Punjabi Folk, like in October I released ‘Bajre Da Sitta’ featuring Meenal Jain, which has lots of views, people really liked it! ‘Tera Hua’ is a Hindi Original and there is another Punjabi Folk next week, as I said, Shweta’s original comes out in February, along with a few more Punjabi and Bengali originals lined up to be released soon!
Listen to ‘Tera Hua’ by Janapriyan Levine on Spotify here:
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