Prateek Kuhad by Jonaki Guha

tokens & charms

PRATEEK KUHAD in tokens & charms

prateek kuhad

WHERE IT

BEGAN prateek kuhad is a Indian singer– songwriter from

arrangements and pop rock melodies, effortlessly cap-

Jaipur. He started learning the guitar in 2005 and went

tures life’s complexities in his songs. Having performed

to New York University for college and studied Math

at venues across New York, Prague, New Orleans and

and Economics there. But due to his Interest in singing he started singing solo. With the release of his EP, Raat Raazi, in 2013, Delhi-based multi-lingual singer -songwriter Prateek Kuhad instantly established himself as one of the most promising artists in the Indian independent music scene. Written completely in Hindi, Raat Raazi released to crit-

India, he has played at festivals such as the Bacardi NH7 Weekender (2012, 2013), Ziro Festival (2014) and more. Live, Prateek perfectly recreates the warmth and vulnerability that are a signature on his recordings, using his folk—pop sensibilities to forge an infrangible connection with the audience and surroundings. Given how minimal the arrangements tend to be, Kuhad’s music has a quality of intimacy, enriched by the unselfconscious

ical acclaim and featured complex and nuanced guitar

style of singing. Conveying that coziness, that warmth,

work. Prateek, with his unique blend of minimal, folk

in a large setting — like the 600 seater auditorium in

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Mumbai where he’s playing — sounds like a daunting

also worked out a stage set-up and lighting to add to that

task compared to, say, the claustrophobia of a smaller

relaxed air. Prateek is happy to play in any setting — be it

pub or bar gig.

a raging music festival, an intimate gather of people in a

Kuhad disagrees though; he thrives in such settings. “Everything is less chaotic. The sound is always great, even visually… it’s a space built for that.” In pubs, he feels, the attention of the audience wavers depending on the intensity of the song — all the more important, given that he has a lot of gentle, understated tracks — as people are distracted. “It’s fine,” he clarifies, “people like to go out, get a drink. But it does hinder the experience. It just depends on what you’re doing, on whether you have good songs.” Beyond the music and the live act, they’ve

cafe, a bar or even a pop - up market. He is open minded and happy to go with the flow as long as you hand him a guitar and some notes. Alot of his music is derived from heartbreak or the major move and shifting of careers but it also has this positive kick to it that makes it memorable. Kuhad’s music is one for the ages.

prateek kuhad

tokens & charms

I’ll find another place to begin It’s so redundant Have faith, have patience my life Don’t worry about me

I have got another hour so to kill

Don’t worry about me

OH LOVE To know we trip the rest is yet to come Oh it’s time Oh love be mine Oh oh go slow So high, so low

Don’t worry about me I’ve faith in another trip of revery Don’t worry about me I’ve got a million fix up my sleeves

Don’t worry about me I’ve faith in another trip of revery Don’t worry about me I’ve got a million fix up my sleeves You’ll never know How near, how far, and it goes So don’t you worry My dear by now you should know Oh it’s time Oh love be mine Behold desires Oh love be mine

You’ll never know How near, how far, and it goes So don’t you worry My dear by now you should know Oh it’s time

Behold desires there is a fire that burns

Oh love be mine

Inside my soul cause there ain’t another side

Behold desires

A few turns for another time

Oh love be mine

For another time Oh it’s mine To make up your mind Don’t waste your time Oh love be mine Oh love be mine

ओह, यह समय है ओह प्यार मेरा हो देखने की इच्छाएं ओह प्यार मेरा हो

tokens & charms

prateek kuhad

tokens & charms

Before my soul does sleep I’m overwhelmed with you My only find is you And all my time is you

My only find is you And all my time is you

So true to my game I did hope it would change For my pride is you My only find is you And all my time is you For my pride is you My only find is you And all my time is you

Before I try to bleed Before my soul does sleep I’m overwhelmed with you My only find is you And all my time is you My only find is you

“and all the flames that did fade”

And all my time is you

F LAMES

Before I try to bleed

prateek kuhad

tokens & charms

So many days, so many nights yet to spend Even if I change in my shadows I am unperturbed, even if I get lost in tune/drunk Don’t insist on getting lost

When you come close to me

This is the wish of my heart

Smile with your eyes

Keep your eyes on the road

The winds also start humming

I will also come back

When you come close to me

How confused eyes are in unknown cities All promises flow in waves of memories Even if I become unaware of thea depth of our love

I will hum like the winds

I am unperturbed, even if I get lost in tune/drunk

So many promises, so many conversations are yet to happen

When you come close to me

So many days, so many nights yet to spend

Smile with your eyes The winds also start humming When you come close to me When you come close to me Smile with your eyes The winds also start humming

When you come close to me

तुम जब पास आती हो पालको से मुस्कुराती हो हवाए भी गुंगुनाती है तुम जब पास आती हो

When you come close to me

TUM JAB PA AS

So many promises, so many conversations are yet to happen

prateek kuhad

And I would hold my breath underwater for a minute and a half

I thought I was, born in a jungle but I was born In a palace of green and I couldn’t stay Another night without holding my knees between yours Another night without feeling your lips on mine Baby if they, call me a failure you could be my prize If my life is a joke, you could be my smile Another home, another land, another city You came along, to be my baby

If it means that I could be a better man in your eyes

And then you came along, to be my darlin Love, when did I learn to be perfectly fine, with the Wind in my hair and the cold of my feet Was gone then you came along to be my baby Love, then you came along, to be my darling It was love before I even held your hands It was love and I could tell that I was weak In the knees and so we danced our time away Into the night

It was love before I even held your hands It was love and I could tell that I was weak In the knees and so we danced our time away Into the night It was love, before i even closed my eyes It was love and I could tell that you were holding your breath And so we sang our hearts, out into the night

“another home, another land, another city ”

HOLDING ON

When I was young I could tell between the moon and the stars

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prateek kuhad

tokens & charms

prateek kuhad

We crossed our desires, we crossed our eyes In tokens, in charms, in smoke, in kind Swayed and fettered, swooned and crowned Even the bliss is pain somehow I read up on glances and tethered to chances Eloped with the sounds

We spent it all We buried our cause We straightened our spine

How did you perceive me How did you complete me Cold shoulders apart Sway into my arms Slip into my heart

I stumbled with grace in my stride I cordoned my hopes to one side I slipped on my swerves I balanced on curves I slowed down my ride Oh when you were faded, you looked away When you were spoken, when you refrained I called in my favours I called in my troops

Tired of being only

I left you alone

The rain, the sun, the lonely Cold shoulders apart Sway into my arms Slip into my heart

“टोकन मे ं , आकर् ष ण मे ं , धू म ् र पान मे ं , प् र कार मे ं ”

COLD SHOULDERS

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The evening isn’t over yet And the night agrees

RAAT RAAZI

The conversation isn’t over yet And the night agrees Is it fire on all four sides? Or is it a park of stars I see in the sky This place is special Your identity is a mystery

A swirl of darkness has been unleashed here

This is a night of dreams

I’ve gotten lost

I pardon your arrogance

You’re the light, you’re the musical instrument

Because even the moon is arrogant about its beauty

Your identity is a mystery

Your identity is a mystery The evening isn’t over yet And the night agrees The evening isn’t over yet

And the night agrees Is this a net of darkness?

This mirror is worthless

What I am, is a secret

Or is this a trick of the twilight?

And the night agrees

Whatever happens, let it happen Don’t stop me, let me wander aimlessly Whatever is lost, let it be Don’t stop me, let me wander aimlessly

The evening isn’t over yet And the night agrees The conversation isn’t over yet

prateek kuhad

tokens & charms

When I was young I could tell between the moon and the stars And I would hold my breath underwater for a minute and a half

You came along, to be my baby Another night without feeling your lips on mine

And then you came along, to be my darlin

Baby if they, call me a failure you could be my prize If my life is a joke, you could be my smile Love, when did I learn to be perfectly fine, with the Wind in my hair and the cold of my feet

Another home, another land, another city I thought I was, born in a jungle but I was born

If it means tha I could be a better man in your eyes

Was gone then you came along to be my baby

In a palace of green and I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay

Love, then you came along, to be my darling

Another night without holding my knees between yours Another night without feeling your lips on mine

It was love before I even held your hands It was love and I could tell that I was weak In the knees and so we danced our time away Into the night

Baby if they, call me a failure you could be my prize If my life is a joke, you could be my smile Another home, another land, another city If it means that I could be a better man in your eyes It was love, before I even closed my eyes It was love and I could tell that you were holding your breath

Into the night

In the knees and so we danced our time away

It was love and I could tell that I was weak

It was love before I even held your hands

And so we sang our hearts, out into the night

INTO THE NIGHT

prateek kuhad

tokens & charms

“the light that i can see”

Everybody tells me not to be this way Take another look Think about it differently today Take another shot You’ll have another shot at it someday Its spilling through my life Spreading through my mind And I can’t escape This flood in my mind Sometimes it feels all right There is something wrong There is something wrong with the way I think Everybody say

Somedays it feels all right to see the light I’m living a hundred lives But I wanna live just one, just right

But nobody knows Nobody understands what’s on my mind The light that I can see The world where I believe in me Its spilling through my life Spreading through my mind And I can’t escape This flood in my mind

There is nothing wrong There is nothing wrong with the way I think There is nothing wrong There is nothing wrong

Its spilling through my life Spreading through my mind And I can’t escape This flood in my mind

SOMETHING WRONG

prateek kuhad

tokens & charms

तूने कहा

TUN E KAHA

prateek kuhad

I surrender my life to you

Your light Illuminates all these paths I’m not in control of my fate

You are my evening Only you are my morning

तूने कहा और मैंने सुन ऌीया तूने कहा और मैंने सुन ऌीया

You said and I listened You said and I listened You said and I listened You said and I listened

Despite this loud sound, how are you so careless? Why are you unaware of shy levels? Even I have befriended colours Your absence made me upset

You said and I listened

Tell me what you’re thinking, talk to me and I’ll listen

tune kaha maine sunn liaa

You said and I listened

Bothersome days and nights

You said and I listened

Where did the sun set?

You said and I listened

Small talks

You said and I listened

I wonder where you wandered off You said and I listened You said and I listened

My daily routes and my old vows make me solemn, and a plethora of stars lit my way

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prateek kuhad

tokens & charms

When I’m lonely

When I’m over the edge

Babe you showed me the light I have held you tight Could not open my eyes I have held you tight Could not open my eyes I hold my breath and

I pride myself in

Slow my heart beat when

Knowing you so well

You console me

But you know me

Babe you showed me the light

So let’s start over

In my heartache

I’ll pour my heart out to you

In my lonesome time

Oh I’m clueless

Babe you found me

Babe you showed me the light

So we saunter Through a thousand suns We’ll just wander Babe you showed me the light I have held you tight Could not open my eyes

“so we saunter through a thousand suns”

I have held you tight

I have held you tight Could not open my eyes I have held you tight Could not open my eyes

ARTIST

Babe you fool me

prateek kuhad

CULTUR A L SHIFT prateek kuhad is a Delhi based Acoustic or Indie Folk/Pop singer. He

learned to play the guitar at the age of 16 and has a degree in Math & Economics from New York University. He has one album and a ton of singles that get released all through the year. His touring has ranged from Europe to the US to all over India. He has experimental themes and is at the forefront of the local Indie music scene in India.

Within his performances, he prefers intimate settings with a varied amount of

He has a rhythm to his music, like he’s at ease and completely fine with what

people. As for his aesthetic, from the beginning he has had a super minimal and

comes next. He works naturally by writing all of his music and sings from within.

clean output. He has an undead passion for music itself which is why it comes so

He plays from feelings of ‘heartbreak’ and ‘existential crisis’ - it might sound

naturally to him. It was never for the money or recognition, but just something

cheesy but in reality thats what drives his music. A lot of his music is also driven

that worked with him. For his boxed set I want to do something that goes with his

from the fact that he made a major shift and took one of his biggest risks by

natural personality but still has a stand out element to it. He likes to keep it clean

moving from New York to Delhi after studying Math and Economics from New

and minimal with some vibrant colors, and I want to keep that consistent while

York University (NYU) to pursue music as a full time profession. That had major

also magnifying those elements.

implications, especially within his family and is something he draws from too for his lyrics. A lot of his music is inspired from artist’s like The National, John Mayer, Ben

I heard Prateek’s music about a year ago and it was something that just clicked for me. There hasn’t really been an independent music scene by itself in India since all music is mostly derived from Bollywood movies. Not to say that the

Howard and reminiscent of bands like The Fleet Foxes. The indie folk scene in

music from these movies is bad or unheard off, it’s just something that fits the

India was one that was completely non existent up until just a few years ago and

content and genre but not enough to have major implications. As far as English

then it was as though a complete turn took place and artist’s started popping up

music, I’ve always been a huge fan of all the regulars such as Coldplay, James

from each corner of the country. In 2013, Prateek was at the forefront of this

Blunt, Kendrick Lamar, John Newman, The National, Lumineers and so many

movement. He was one of the first to come forward and after his initial single

more. It would’ve been much easier for to choose an American contemporary

(Raat Raazi) itself he gained recognition which lead to his first album and solo

artist for a project like this but Prateek’s words are something that just brought

performances and concerts all over.

about this huge change in my sensibility. Within india, in Mumbai atleast a major culture shift has taken place. There has been a birth essentially not only of independent music but also of a comedy scene, a wave of feminism, political satire pieces, design evolution and people who have started to gain the courage to come forward and speak up for what they believe in.

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In my opinion, Prateek is part of this new wave revolution that makes him significant. There have been so many cliches surrounding India and he is part of breaking those stereotypes which is why I feel he deserves a more universal recognition and which is why I want to develop a box set for him. Ever since I came to study Graphic Design in the States, I feel as though I have this inbuilt responsibility to break stereotypes surrounding my country (India). It’s not a burden, but a privilege that I have grown the embrace in a sense. He has definitely gone through a variety of phases with his emotions from his past which is why I want to include all of his singles along with his album In Tokens and Charms within the box set (about 25 songs). I want to acknowledge his entire transitioning by incorporating all his music till date. His design aesthetic has also gone through a sort of time lapse which you can see as his recognition grew but the clean aesthetic has been consistent throughout. That might draw from the fact that he’s a huge germaphobe which is a slightly lesser known fact about him. Overall, Prateek is at a somewhat epitome of his career with only

‘some days there’d be a lot of people and some would stand up and take notice and like the stuff, other days there’d be a grand total of 4 people in the crowd.’

a higher path to take. He is known but still getting more recognition as the days go by and even though his audience is limited to a range of Indian and Indian born American millennials, he makes the most of what he’s got doing something he absolutely loves.

prateek kuhad

P R AT E E K

K U H A D