This song will leave a lump in your throat.
On some level, as children, we all believe that our parents and grandparents are invulnerable. Dementia shatters that ideal. “Chanda,” Komorebi’s newest single, tenderly portrays the love and longing she feels towards her dearest grandfather, who unfortunately slipped into dementia in 2019. The artist has written the song with intentions of trying to visit and reconnect with him.
In this interview, she tells us more about Mr.Karamchand, who we all now invariably wish to discover, in a vicarious attempt, to fondly re-live and remember our own grandparents or whoever it is that we have loved and lost. She fondly recalls his grandfather’s previous superhero status, and juxtaposes memories of her own growing up, having him teach her virtues such as discipline and perseverance, besides driving around the city is his classic Contessa.
If your family is struggling with a dementia diagnosis, consider making a playlist of songs like Chanda that pay tribute to patients with the condition because these songs exhibit great empathy. Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone in this struggle.
Dedicated to her grandfather, ‘Chanda’ is a cathartic expression of grief in its truest form. The percussive sounds coupled with lullaby-esque vocals, convey hints of ASMR, attempting to soothe the listener by transporting them to their safe space. This song pays tribute to her grandfather by immortalising him in art form, while echoing his transformative impact on her life.
‘Chanda’ is accompanied by a music video which further elevates the song.
Conceptualised by animator Arushi Kathuria and Tarana herself, the video uses a storytelling format to bring the audience into a dreamlike state and aesthetically tries to transport the viewer to a calmer headspace.
Speaking about Chanda and Mr. Karamchand, Komorebi says, “In 2019, my grandfather was diagnosed with dementia. The drastic difference in life before and after the diagnosis wasn’t lost on me. He had already made such an indelible impression on me by this point that writing about it seemed only natural. Inspired by the ‘Chand’ in his last name, I wrote a lullaby, ‘Chanda’ to pay tribute to such a monumental presence in our lives.”
“I hope that anyone who can relate to the message behind the song will allow themselves a moment to process their grief, and feel a bit lighter. If I can share this moment with them, then I’ve done my job.” – Komorebi, on Chanda.
WWM: Chanda is the warmest, heart-melting song I’ve heard in a long time. Tell us more about your grandfather. Could you please share some fond memories with him?
Komorebi: Thank you so much. He is a remarkable man. He went from growing up in a quaint village to a renowned figure in WHO. He would often tell us stories during morning tea, some involving encounters with wild animals in the village where he spent his foundational years, some involving his many years of travel to far-off lands courtesy his eclectic job. He loved Japanese people the most. And Vietnamese food.
WWM: What was his relationship with your music like? Might be stating the obvious here, but has he been one of your biggest cheerleaders? Tell us more.
Komorebi: He was an influence on me in so many ways, but perhaps the most meaningful one was his discipline and perseverance. I really respected his ability to rise and make the best of his circumstances. He loved me for reasons outside of my work. I felt seen.
WWM: Chanda, I’m sure, is a shared emotional experience for your family. How did they react when they listened to the track?
Komorebi: Everyone was in tears. My mother continuously thanking me for doing this for the family, my masi recollecting memories fondly, my brother spending time trying to make nanu watch the video. All in all it was therapeutic and truly special as an experience.
WWM: Please share anecdotes if possible. I’d love to hear all about them. This is truly such a heart-warming song. Thank you for making it!
Komorebi: Thank you so much for saying that. It means the world to me that you enjoyed my music. My nanu would always make me sit in his contessa and drive us to Delhi gymkhana club for tea. He would walk me to school and laugh at my complaints for my parents. He had the sweetest laugh and the voice of a child. I will miss him.
Chanda HyperURL: https://lnk.to/Chanda
Know Komorebi:
‘Komorebi’ (Japanese for sunlight that filters through tree leaves) is a unique alternative-electronic act from New Delhi, India and the musical baby of Tarana Marwah, Indian composer, singer-producer and instrumentalist. Inspired by scores from anime and chip tune music she heard as a kid, the music is whimsical, orchestral and celestial.
Komorebi released her first self-titled EP in 2015, after which the act gained mercurial success. Her debut album ‘Soliloquy’ that was released in 2017 caught the attention of many – placing Komorebi on the indie radar from India.
Komorebi is a SXSW 2019 artist and has played shows in Austin, Boise USA, Dubai UAE, Sri Lanka and has toured extensively in India, playing at all major venues and music festivals such as, NH7 Weekender, Echoes of Earth Festival, Ziro Festival of Music, Magnetic Fields Festival. She was nominated for an ‘MTV EMA’ and was also the ‘Vh1 Artist of the Month’ in 2019. Komorebi has tracked on U2’s Official Remix Album (Indian version) and has also worked with musicians such as Karsh Kale, Midival Punditz, Mohini Dey and Warren Mendonsa. She is an ‘AKAI Alesis’ sponsored artist and is also a featured artist on Red Bull and Resident Advisor. Komorebi is also a Scoring Artist for OTT platforms Netflix (recently for Netflix’s ‘Bombay Begums’) and Amazon Prime Video, composing genre defying music from contemporary to modern scores in the realm of electronica.
Credits:
- Singer: Tarana Marwah
- Lyrics: Tarana Marwah
- Composer and Producer: Tarana Marwah
- Mixed by: Gaurav Raina
- Mastered by: Mike Marsh, The Exchange
- Record Label: Artist Originals
- Official Video Animator: Arushi Kathuria
- Video Concept: Tarana Marwah, Arushi Kathuria, Vedabrata Rao
