Each of [the musicians] has been able to provide their own voice and their own emotional interpretation of the song, based on the time we were all living through.
—Rahul Mukerji
While the world was under quarantine, artist Rahul Mukerji found a creative North Star. Moving away from a solo “shred” approach to an international collaborative framework, the artist decided to unite musicians globally to serve as a vessel for diverse cultural narratives, marking the inception of his new project. Following his award-winning debut, Ma De Re Sha, Rahul Mukerji returns with Mridhangit (Self Produced, 2026), a highly anticipated 11-track collection released on March 23, 2026. Acting as a sonic manifesto that translates across cultures, the album takes listeners on a journey through contrasting worlds. It moves from the dark dissonance of “Mr. Sinister” to the spirited camaraderie found in titles like “Kalli Penn” and the recently released song, “Dushtan.”
The title, Mridhangit, is a linguistic fusion of Mridangam (a double-headed percussion instrument core to Carnatic music), Handpan (a melodic steel drum), and Guitar, reflecting the core purpose of the project: collaboration. These three instruments embody the blend of style and influences. During the cross-continental synergy, Mukerji also discovered that the collection of minds is stronger than one, transcending the forced isolation of the pandemic era. Mridhangit stands as a testament of collaboration created in an uncertain environment and provides listeners with a rich and engaging musical journey.
Mridhangit explores a unique composition style engineered to spark non-traditional creativity and improvisation, allowing each musician to express unfettered creative autonomy and let their personal heritage dictate the track's emotional arc. Some reputable musicians include Praveen Sparsh, prominent South Indian mridangam artist, Leo Margarit, Sweden-based drummer for Pain of Salvation, Ruben Rubio, versatile Spanish bassist, and Chaplin, South African pianist known for evocative tonal moods. Other musicians featured on this project include a Duduk player from Turkey, a clarinetist from France, and a violinist from Sri Lanka alongside talented local instrumentalists.
The project serves as the evolution of the award-winning Ma De Re Sha, Mukerji’s debut album, featuring more intricate arrangements and a layered musical palette. Brett Caldas-Lima took part as a mixing and mastering engineer to ensure a high-fidelity sound.
The title, Mridhangit, is a linguistic fusion of Mridangam (a double-headed percussion instrument core to Carnatic music), Handpan (a melodic steel drum), and Guitar, reflecting the core purpose of the project: collaboration. These three instruments embody the blend of style and influences. During the cross-continental synergy, Mukerji also discovered that the collection of minds is stronger than one, transcending the forced isolation of the pandemic era. Mridhangit stands as a testament of collaboration created in an uncertain environment and provides listeners with a rich and engaging musical journey.
Mridhangit explores a unique composition style engineered to spark non-traditional creativity and improvisation, allowing each musician to express unfettered creative autonomy and let their personal heritage dictate the track's emotional arc. Some reputable musicians include Praveen Sparsh, prominent South Indian mridangam artist, Leo Margarit, Sweden-based drummer for Pain of Salvation, Ruben Rubio, versatile Spanish bassist, and Chaplin, South African pianist known for evocative tonal moods. Other musicians featured on this project include a Duduk player from Turkey, a clarinetist from France, and a violinist from Sri Lanka alongside talented local instrumentalists.
The project serves as the evolution of the award-winning Ma De Re Sha, Mukerji’s debut album, featuring more intricate arrangements and a layered musical palette. Brett Caldas-Lima took part as a mixing and mastering engineer to ensure a high-fidelity sound.
