JKriv gets groovy on remix for legendary Bollywood composer RD Burman

Disco and house maestro JKriv lends his groovy techniques to a 28-year-old work by legendary Indian composer and film industry music director RD Burman — the result is a cosmic, bansuri-induced remix of ‘Birth of Shiva’.

Taken from the 1985 Bollywood film ‘Shiva Ka Insaaf’ (Shiva's Justice) which was touted as India’s first Hindi 3-D movie, ‘Birth of Shiva’ was the track used when the film’s protagonist, Shiva, is bestowed with his superhero status.

The original version is typical of a beatless, orchestral and vocal affair, typical of RD Burman’s lush, cinematic arrangements. JKriv pays great attention to the extraction of Burman’s celestial vibe and devotional vocal chants, adding a nifty bassline and lavish synth stabs.

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Released on Naya Beat, the label that brought us the gem-filled 'Naya Beat Volume 1: South Asian Dance and Electronic Music 1983-1992' , and Hindi-fuelled synth disco from Pinky Ann Rihal — a collaboration Naya took on with Anokha’s Sweety Kapoor.

Founded by Poolside member Filip Nikolic (Turbotito) and DJ and record collector Raghav Mani (Ragz), Naya Beats is a label dedicated to unearthing lost and found gems from the South Asian musical diaspora. ‘Birth of Shiva’ just happens to be the first single from their forthcoming Bollywood compilation, ‘Awaaz: Original Soundtrack Recordings From The Archives Of CBS Gramophone & Tapes India 1982-1986’, which explores the electronic, disco and ambient OSTS of 80s Bollywood. It drops early this summer.

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In addition to the forthcoming compilation that’s positioned as an ode to 80s Bollywood, the Naya Beat team have also been busy assembling a slew of remixes of Asha Puthli’s ‘Space Talk’, starting off with a remix from Dimitri from Paris which you can listen to and pre-order on Bandcamp.

'Birth of Shiva' (JKriv Remix) is out now. Have a listen below.

Arun Ramanathan is Mixmag Asia’s Director. Follow him on Instagram.