Maati Baani: A Musical Odyssey from Ahmedabad to the World
It requires extraordinary dedication to venture into India's remote interiors with a backpack filled with recording equipment, locate a musician in a distant village who has never performed on a formal stage, and then spend an entire day composing, performing, and recording a song together spontaneously. For Kartik Shah and Nirali Kartik, the husband-wife duo behind the acclaimed musical project Maati Baani, this is not merely an occasional adventure—it represents their profound life's calling.
Ahmedabad: The Foundation of Their Musical Universe
We recently connected with the duo following their performance in Ahmedabad. Nirali expressed heartfelt sentiments about their connection to the city, stating, "Both of us began our individual journeys right here in Ahmedabad. This city forms the essential foundation upon which we have constructed our entire musical universe. Returning to perform in our hometown always feels like a tremendous honor."
Rejecting Commissioned Work for Artistic Freedom
Kartik initiated his musical career by composing advertising jingles and assisting prominent Bollywood composers, including collaborations with renowned music director Pritam. Meanwhile, Nirali received rigorous training in Hindustani classical music at Ahmedabad's prestigious Saptak School of Music. After their marriage, they made a conscious decision to merge their distinct musical worlds, giving birth to Maati Baani.
"We consciously chose to avoid commissioned work for commercials or films," Kartik explained. "We aspired to create something uniquely our own—where we could function as genuine creators of art rather than as hired artists. Our mission became discovering the most captivating sounds from across the globe. To date, we have collaborated with more than 300 musicians spanning over 35 different countries."
He elaborated on their distinctive approach: "Our uniqueness stems from seamlessly blending local and international musical elements. For instance, while the vocals might be in Rajasthani dialect, the background could feature a European Balkan-style score, a sophisticated jazz arrangement, or even incorporate a musician performing an instrument in the New York subway. We frequently collaborate with international artists through remote sessions."
The Backpack Musician Philosophy: Spontaneous Creation
Describing their hands-on methodology, Kartik shared, "I consider myself a backpack musician and composer. We travel extensively with portable recording equipment. Whenever we encounter something truly special or unique during our travels, we immediately jam with the local artists, compose spontaneously, perform together, and record everything live on that very same day."
He further emphasized their commitment to grassroots artists: "We actively tour alongside the rural and folk musicians we record. Through Maati Baani's platform, these artists gain opportunities to express their art authentically. Once our songs gain popularity, audiences actively seek out these talented performers. Remarkably, some of these collaborators become the first individuals in their entire village or family to ever perform on a formal stage."
Ragas as Daily Ritual: Nirali's Classical Foundation
Discussing her personal musical discipline, Nirali revealed, "Indian classical music represents my true home. My day consistently begins and concludes with practicing ragas. During the composition process, I carefully select a raga that aligns with the emotional essence of the lyrics and then develop the entire composition from that foundational element. For example, our song Baawariya is based on Darbari raga, while Boondan draws inspiration from Miyan Malhar."
She acknowledged the challenges of musical experimentation: "Experimentation can certainly go awry when pursued merely for its own sake. Fortunately, Kartik possesses an exceptional talent for fusing diverse sounds together harmoniously. He dedicates substantial time and effort whenever two radically different musical genres converge within our songs."
Kahat Nayika: Celebrating Modern Women Through Classical Traditions
Speaking about their forthcoming concert production, Nirali explained, "Kahat Nayika celebrates contemporary women through the rich framework of Indian classical tradition. This concert features my original compositions that present perspectives of modern womanhood, including bandishes exploring themes of self-belief, friendship, resilience, motherhood, and numerous other subjects typically absent from traditional classical repertoires. The concert is scheduled to debut publicly in March."
Navigating Creative Partnership Within Marriage
Regarding maintaining a successful creative partnership within their marital relationship, Nirali reflected, "When two creative individuals work together so intimately, differences inevitably arise. Over time, we have developed effective methods to resolve conflicts without causing emotional harm to each other. We are currently in a positive phase, functioning as a cohesive team while prioritizing the integrity of our musical output above all else."
She added their philosophy toward audience reception: "We release songs that genuinely resonate with us personally. When our listeners appreciate these creations, it brings us authentic happiness. If a particular song does not immediately gain traction, we do not perceive this as a setback. Interestingly, some of our songs have gone viral two or even three years following their initial release."
Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Music
Addressing the emerging role of artificial intelligence in the music industry, Kartik offered his perspective: "The AI revolution has undeniably arrived. We will witness millions of songs generated daily—potentially overwhelming audiences with sheer volume. However, our authentic folk music, our rich folklore, and those raw, rustic voices originating from India's heartland will perpetually provide listeners with that irreplaceable sense of returning home. People fundamentally need to reconnect with their cultural roots, and this fundamental human need remains unchanged."
Nirali contributed her balanced viewpoint: "Artificial intelligence can serve as a meaningful creative tool when applied correctly and thoughtfully. For our Kahat Nayika project, Kartik utilized AI to design my visual concepts. This technological integration added a beautiful additional layer to the compositions, significantly enhancing the overall ambience, musical experience, and the concert's complete artistic effect."
