Indalo: Songs about finding strength in solitude
Indalo’s famed song, ‘Ekanto Golaap,’ has won hearts all over Bangladesh with its powerful message about inner strength and solitude. Zubair Hasan, a band member, explains the title, saying ‘Ekanto’ stands for something very personal and ‘Golaap’ for something extremely valuable. He shared, “Like any flower, a rose does not flaunt itself. It simply exists, radiating its fragrance and beauty, which innately lives in all of us.” These two words create something beautiful. A unique form of loneliness is portrayed, one that is calm and completes us rather than the loneliness we all fear. It’s about discovering our own identity, which is done through us taking the time to look into ourselves.
Zubair Hasan shared his thoughts and feelings behind this magnificent song. Besides telling a story, his words included the journey of finding power in our quietest moments. The song ‘Ekanto Golaap’ came together organically when Zubair wrote it on an acoustic guitar one quiet afternoon. Zubair wrote the lyrics from “a sad but content place,” expressing the feeling of “finding strength in our weaknesses.”
‘1996’ by Indalo is another song demanding love to continue even in the absence of the speaker. The merging of two iconic songs released in 1996, “Kichu Chaibona” by LRB and “Sweetie” by Ark made the song stand out across generations. Portraying the lasting quality of love while acknowledging the suffering that can result from its absence. The lyrics of the song show a desire for the precious relationship to remain alive throughout grief and loss. Both songs explore the complicated nature of love and desire; this complexity of emotion matches the emotions of loneliness.
Their recent Brac University performance left a lasting impression. Zubair recalled, “The whole arrangement, starting from the backstage to the main stage, sound, lights, timing was immaculate. The enthusiasm of the students was something to cherish for any artist. Ekanto Golaap was extra special with everyone singing and dancing.”
