Fusion folk singer Aabha Hanjura enjoys a challenge. Known for her hit single ‘Hukus-Bukus’, her music blends genres, such as Kashmiri ballads with electropop elements. In the same vein, her new release has elements of Rajasthani folk music. The new tracktitled ‘O Ri Sakhi’ takes inspiration from the famous Kashmiri folk song, ‘Bhumbro’ and Rajasthan’s Bannaro festivities. The song encapsulates the joy and community spirit of weddings.

The song was created in collaboration with the Khan Brothers, a well-known Manganiyar folk group from Rajasthan. A vibrant wedding tune, the song foregrounds clear vocals over layered instrumentals. The Khan Brothers’ high notes, and earthy beats, stand alongside Aabha’s lighter tone as she sings the refrain: ‘O Ri Sakhe’. “At the heart of it, ‘O Ri Sakhi’ is a wedding song,” says Aabha, describing its tune.

Talking about her vision, the artiste says,  “I wanted to create a song that is going to live forever, and will sound good to everybody across the country, regardless of where they are from”. Aabha admits that she has learnt a lot from the troupe, and that it has been a welcome challenge trying to marry their “true blue folk” with her more contemporary sound.

She says, “The combination was as a meeting of the mountains and the desert,” emphasising the global appeal of music, and the potential for experimentation it implies.

‘O Ri Sakhi’ is part of Aabha’s upcoming project, Bridges. According to the singer, “The album is about exploring how we are connected through art.” It is in this vein that she hints at the possibility of an international collaboration, perhaps with Celtic artistes. Given her folk roots, Aabha prefers the humanity of live performances to pre-recorded music.

‘O Ri Sakhi’ is no exception, and was initially to be released online on July 24. However, in light of the student protests in Delhi, she says she push the official release. . Expressing solidarity with the protestors, Aabha says, “It does not feel like the right time to be releasing it.”

The track will be released on online streaming platforms on August 7.