The song Kabhi Kabhi Aditi is a modern Indian pop song from the movie Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, which came out in 2008. In the modern day, a lot of Indian Pop music now comes from movies or the movie industry, and due to how the world has become more connected in the pas few decades, Indian music now both reaches a larger number of listeners, and has greater influence than ever from the musical traditions of other cultures as a result.

Despite this greater influence from other cultures, a few uniquely Indian traits can still be heard in the song. It still relies primarily on Membranophones, Chordophones, and vocals, however now has the addition of synthesized music and Aerophones. Much like the Carnatic music we listened to in class, the vocalist is the central melodic focus of this piece, however, unlike many Carnatic pieces, Kabhi Kabhi Aditi is not spiritual in nature, and instead serves as part of the soundtrack to the aforementioned movie.

I found this song thanks to a friend of mine, who’s family comes from a Carnatic music tradition, and who recommended a number of modern Indian pop songs to me, had a lot of insight to share, notably that the musician who made the piece, AR Rahman, is one of India’s most celebrated musicians. Though I have nothing to support this conjecture, it does remind me of how Traditional South Indian music is focused more on the musician than the writer.

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9eGi0rVxBw