A Carnatic revival

Sandeep Narayan and Yanchan. Pic Courtesy/Instagram

Speak to Yanchan, and it is easy to understand his passion for music. "I grew up with music around me," says the Canadian producer. Growing up in Ontario, Canada, the musician was among the immigrant generation looking for a sound of their own. He started out by learning Carnatic music and the mrithangam from the age of six. This explains his leaning towards the rhythmic style that often dominates his sounds.

This passion made him force his parents to take him on a trip to India as a child with his guru, Neyveli Venkatesh. "The sounds and the sights of that trip stayed with me," he recalls. It also influenced his works with SVDP and the unique form of his Carnatic-hip-hop fusion.

They also show up in his latest collaboration with vocalist Sandeep Narayan released in November 2023. Titled Arul, the album explores the oeuvre of Carnatic music through Narayan's vocals. "We had known each other long before the album, and it simply happened when he messaged me and asked if we should collaborate," Yanchan reveals.


Yanchan performs at the 50 Cent concert.

The result is a five-track album that stands on a unique focus on vocal ragas and explorations. "I had to find the right balance with the rhythms while allowing Narayan's vocals to show off their skills," Yanchan explains. Not an easy task, considering that they were collaborating over the years of the pandemic. Songs such as Forgotten and Everglow stand out with their hypnotic vocal play over house beats. This writer's personal favourite is Angels built around Narayan's serene ragas riding Yanchan's compositional balance.

Interestingly, the composer was speaking with the writer on the back of his latest performance with 50 Cent in Mumbai. "It was a thrill. You grow up listening to his tracks, and to perform with him was quite the moment," he admits.

Now, his attention is turned to the future. With projects alongside Shruti Haasan set for the coming year, the composer is already on the move. "It looks to be a promising year," he concludes.

LOG ON TO Arul on Spotify