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Taken from Radio and Music (May 26, 2026)
Shakti Blends Indian Folk, Electronic Music and Ritual Storytelling on New EP Out Now
by RnMTeam
Arashkha and Coverart |
MUMBAI: Artists Arashkha (Arash Khalatbari) and Sukanya Chattopadhyay unveiled SHAKTI Volume 3. A powerful new chapter in their cross-cultural collaboration that blends traditional vocals, spiritual chants, and experimental electronic music. Spanning influences from India, Reunion Island, Bangladesh, and Lithuania, the project continues to push the boundaries between ritual, sound, and contemporary audiovisual art. The collaboration was originally initiated by Sonya Mazumdar of EarthSync, who brought the two artists together for this unique creative journey.
Blending traditional Indian musical forms with contemporary electronic and visual storytelling, the EP explores themes of transformation, feminine energy, surrender, destruction, and rebirth. Drawing from Hindustani classical Bandish, Bhajans, Bengali folk traditions, and Lithuanian Sutartin?s, the project creates a cross-cultural dialogue between ancient spiritual music and modern experimental soundscapes. Tracks reinterpret the Gunkali raga to reflect on self-sacrifice and salvation, merge the folk music of Lalon Fakir Shah with Lithuanian vocal traditions sung by Laurita peleni?t? around the symbolism of the lily flower, and channel the fierce energy of the goddess Kali as a force of liberation and eternal renewal. Featuring evocative dance performances by Maeva Curco Llovera and Armande Motais de Narbonne, the EP becomes an immersive audiovisual work rooted in devotion, feminine power, and transcendence.
An Artist-Driven Vision
French-Iranian composer, visual artist, sociologist, and architect Arashkha (Arash Khalatbari) has spent decades creating genre-defying works that merge world music, urban electronica, philosophy, and social storytelling. From his internationally acclaimed project EKOVA to multidisciplinary collaborations across theater, dance, and film, his work consistently explores migration, identity, spirituality, and collective memory.
Joining him is Sukanya Chattopadhyay, a Kolkata-based vocalist, composer, and producer trained in Hindustani classical music at Calcutta University. Known for seamlessly bridging traditional Indian music with experimental and electronic forms, her collaborations include work with Karsh Kale, Burudu, and Amazon Prime’s Made in Heaven.
“With tracks like Devotional Song From an Urban Ruin, Sweet Surrender, and The Eternal Lily, we explored a darker, more urban and intense sonic world. One inspired by the destructive and regenerative energy of Kali. This collaboration is only evolving further, with future projects becoming even more rhythmic, immersive, and emotionally charged. Despite the distance between us, Sukanya and I share a deep creative connection, and we look forward to continuing this artistic journey together across India, Réunion, and beyond.” – Arashkha (Arash Khalatbari)
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