Shankuraj Konwar, the artist behind the blockbuster hit Alakananda and a string of popular tracks that have captured the hearts of listeners across India, is set to take the stage on one of the most iconic music platforms – Coke Studio Bharat.
Known for his soulful voice and captivating musicality, Shankuraj is excited about this new chapter in his career. While eager to share his upcoming experience, he remains tight-lipped about the project’s details, adding an air of mystery and anticipation.
“The song is a duet… sort of jugalbandi, you could say. It’s a folk fusion with indie vibes. The track will be in both Assamese and Hindi, and it will incorporate folk beats from Tinsukia’s Torani village. The Assamese lyrics have been written by my friend and documentary filmmaker, Himanshu Chutia Saikia. The episode will be released in March,” Shankuraj reveals, politely declining to disclose the song’s name at this time.
He continues, “We’ve already completed the shoot for the song. I’ve always been a huge fan of Coke Studio, and performing there feels like a dream come true. The Coke Studio team reached out to me last August, and that’s how everything began. I had the opportunity to collaborate with some of India’s best musicians at Coke Studio.”
Coke Studio Bharat returns with its much-anticipated Season 3, building on the success of the previous two seasons that beautifully highlighted the vibrant and diverse musical traditions of India. Apart from Shankuraj, this season brings together artists like Vishal Mishra, Anuv Jain, Shalmali Kholgade, Aditya Gadhvi, Jassa Dhillon, Thiarajatxtt, Malini Awasthi, Prateeksha Srivastava, Dhanda Nyoliwala, Xvir, Gulab Sidhu, Raaginder, Madhubanti Bagchi, Siddharth Bhavsar, Santhosh Narayanan, Jayamoorthy, Dabzee, Ofro, the Indian Choral Ensemble, and SVDP.
“Artists will unite across various genres, merging traditional and modern sounds to craft something truly exceptional. Audiences can anticipate a dynamic musical experience that highlights the depth and versatility of Indian music at its very best,” shares Shankuraj.
In addition to his debut in Season 3 of Coke Studio Bharat, Shankuraj is also working on a Hindi song set to be released later in March. “I am working on a number of songs, with some currently in the post-production stage,” he shares.
A die-hard fan of Jayanta Hazarika, Shankuraj enjoys listening to Kannada pop sensation Sanjith Hegde and Grammy-winning artist Kacey Musgraves. “I also love listening to Bishrut Saikia’s songs. His creations are lovely,” he says while strumming guitar chords.
When asked why his other songs couldn’t match the popularity of Alakananda, he smiles and says, “We put in the same effort into all our creations. Some songs just click with the audience – that’s what we call magic. As artists, we create, and once it’s out there, it’s up to the listeners. The Universe does the rest.”
Alakananda, released in 2020 and sung by Shankuraj, features lyrics by Maitrayee Patar and music composed and produced by Tonmoy Krypton. The song has since become a favourite love anthem, continuing to resonate with listeners. However, Ki Bedonate is a personal favourite of Shankuraj, co-founder of Project Baartalaap alongside Patar.
When asked what needs to be done to host live concerts with international artists in Assam, similar to those in Meghalaya, and what’s currently lagging, Shankuraj responds, “We need good technicians and production teams. Also, we need to encourage and promote all kinds of music. However, we are making progress day by day.”
Speaking about the growing number of reality shows, the singer shares, “While these shows provide a massive platform, what you do with the fame and popularity is entirely up to you. It’s important to highlight your uniqueness and carve your path. Luck also plays a major role. Take, for example, Arijit Singh… he didn’t win the show (Fame Gurukul).”
The singer released a new song, Parijat, on YouTube on February 10, and it’s already trending on Instagram Reels. “The connection between the artist and their fans is something unique. As an artist, you win when your listeners connect with the world and feelings that you present. When a fan sees the world through the artist’s lens, that’s when the connection clicks… that’s how you communicate,” Shankuraj shares.
With his debut on Coke Studio Bharat and exciting new projects on the horizon, it can be rightly said that Shankuraj is not just creating music – he’s leaving a lasting impact on the music scene, one song at a time.
