Nadia - Nitin Sawhney feat. Nicki Wells & Ashwin Srinivasan, Coke Studio @ MTV Season 2

Nadia is a song about two lovers on opposite ends of the river. The song is almost like someone calling across the river. Based on a thumri, this track is about how the river has become the enemy as it is keeping the lovers apart.
Nitin's original version didn't have any bass but was electronica-heavy. For the Coke Studio @ MTV version, he has added the kasturi tilakam shloka in the beginning.
Find the lyrics of this song here: mtv.in.com/blog...
Credits:
Composer & Producer: Nitin Sawhney
Language: Hindi & Sanskrit
Lyrics: Traditional (rearranged by Nitin Sawhney)
Vocals: Nicki Wells & Ashwin Srinivasan
Tabla: Vikaash Sankadecha
Keys: Nitin Sawhney
Flute: Ashwin Srinivasan
Drums Jivraj Singh
Bass: Mohini Dey
Recorded by: Steve Fitzmaurice, Ashish Manchanda (Flying Carpet Productions, Mumbai), assisted by Thorsten Muller
Mixed by Steve Fitzmaurice at the Pierce Rooms, London
Mastered by Bunt Stafford Clark at the Pierce Rooms, London.
Song Synopsis:
Kasturi tilakam
Lalat patle
Vashkh sthale kaustubham
Na sakre luv motikm
Kartale emm kare
Kankanam
Sarvange
Sarvange
Har chandanam sulalitam
Kanthecha mukta pali
Gopastri parihastita
Vijaya De
Gopal chhood mani
Nadiyaan Bairee Bhayrein (7)
Bairee Bhayrein (3)
Mora Sainyaan, Bulaa ve (2)
Nadiyaan Bairee Bhayrein (3)
Bairee Bhayrein (3)
Sune Naahin (4)
Nadiyaan Bairee Bhayrein (3)
Bairee Bhayrein (2)
Mora Sainyaan, Bulaa ve (2)
Nadiyaan Bairee Bhayrein
Bairee Bhayrein (2)
Sune Naahin (4)
Nadiyaan Bairee Bhayrein (3)
Bairee Bhayrein (2)
Sune Naahin (3)
Meaning of the song:
Poet starts with a verse from a sacred book called Sri Krishna Karnamrita written by Saint, Lilasuka Bilvamangala. In the verse the Poet is sharing the beautiful vision of his Divine beloved, Lord Krishna. Poet says he wears musk (Kasturi, rare scent found in a Deer's naval) decoration on his forehead and adorns the rarest of all gems, called Kaustubha on his broad chest. His nose is decorated with the prettiest of ornaments made of fresh pearls, adding to his charm. His delicate wrists adorned with beautiful golden bracelets, holds his enchanting flute. His entire body is scented with fragrant sandalwood and his chest is decorated with the necklace made of many pearls. He is the handsomest man of all, and is always mesmerizing Gopis (his women friends) with his witty and divine charm. He is indeed the most precious of all, in the cowherds of Vrindavan.
The song moves on to a repeated expression of separation, where the poet says even the rivers have become the enemy, an impediment to his union. Says that even though the call of his lover has come, but the world continues to conspire against him...

[@thenikkibedi]

FYI. Jeff Beck performed Nitin Sawhney's Nadia with Nitin himself at the Royal Albert Hall in 2001 and then asked Nitin's permission to use the song on his own album. The original is NITIN'S!!! and Jeff Beck's is the cover version.

[@soumyadip4092]

I'm searching for this info thanks 😊

[@slippersforlunch]

this is a centuries old thumri, it's his beautiful rendition, it's only our heritage which Nitin has rendered beautifully with modern sounds yet preserving the emotion of the thumri. It's no one's original in my opinion, just his rendition.

[@e.j.maynard4363]

I was at that show!! Couldn't convince my other American roommates to go (I was studying there for a semester) so I went solo. Very glad I did.

[@Roddy1965]

Only Jeff Beck could pull it off. LEGEND. RIP.

[@frederickball2969]

Common knowledge

[@vectorfox4782]

This is one of the most difficult performances for any vocal artist and she does it so beautifully flawlessly.

[@johngodwin4586]

And Mohini Dey on bass is as always astonishing, no mention of her playing!

[@kenwells1034]

And she was what? 16 when tis was done? A prodigy!

[@g.g.rebimik6209]

Listening to Nicki Wells is like going to Heaven!

[@shikhaholkar107]

G.G. Rebimik true

[@unknownknowledge132]

Tanya wells too

[@janinesawh5446]

Totally agree

[@dannyfuljhari2624]

Yes, yes , yes❤️

[@anatwisterella]

After years hearing this live version I think that among the most perfect things of the world, this is one of them. Perfectness

[@sporticalimove8294]

Vielleicht nicht das😂perfekteste, aber es ist erwähnenswert! Einfach nur mega!

[@steveteare3865]

I just found this after many years of enjoying both Nitin's original version and Jeff Beck's live at Ronnies (with the wonderful Tal Wilkenfeld on bass). I'm awestruck by Nicki Wells' vocals. I listen and I think 'How is it possible to have such control?' Then I see a very young looking Mohini Dey on bass - 16 by my calculation and of course Nitin himself on keyboard. What a gem!

[@leznikm8]

Mohini Dey, Nicki Wells, Nitin Sawhney, & Ashwin Srinivasan Dear Lord what a collective!!!

[@juancarlosac1]

I am here for Beck.

[@mignoneloise3680]

Seriously dying from this . What a session. What a voice . What a piece of magic from all omg. Tears

[@kinjaldasbiswas3278]

Beautifully done. It is incredible that a foreign-born person can interpret the emotions so accurately. Thanks for sharing, but I find the transliteration is a bit off for the first (more Sanskritic) part of the song. Here is my attempt at a rough translation and transliteration: Kasturi tilakam (Kasturi mark) Lalat pat tale (on the forehead) Vaksh sthale kaustubham (Kaustubh gem on the breast) Nasagre luv motikm (Pearls (?) on the nose) Karatale Venu (Flute in hand) Kare Kankanam ( Bangles on hands) Sarvange (Body covered in Sarvange Hara chandanam sulalitam sandalwood paste) Kanthecha muktavali (string of pearls on the neck) Gopastri paribesthita (Surrounded by the cow-maidens) Vijayate (Victorious) Gopal chhoodamani (The great Gopal)

[@kayukelinci3356]

Dear Kinjal, can you please share us the whole translation of Nadia? I've read in youtube someone praised Sawti Natekar, the original singer of this song, for singing in such a way that the listeners can catch the desperate longing of a lover in Sawti's voice. And it's the water that cause the miserable feeling. Damn man, this Nathan Sawney's Nadia have got me so curious (not to mention the goosebumps whenever I hear it!. Hey, thanks in advance!

[@Anisha677]

Kinjal Dasbiswas jj

[@TLMuse]

@Kayu, a web search turns up the following transliteration/translation of the three lines that comprise the lyrics: Nadiya bair bhai (Even the Rivers have turned hostile) Mora saiyyan bulave (My lover beckons me) Sune nahi (But you wouldn't listen)

[@radhakrishnajha5084]

@@kayukelinci3356 nadiya bairi bhai (nadia(river) has become my foe) Mora saiyan bulaawe(my lover calls me from another side) Sune nahi(it doesn't hear) This is whole translation

[@interqward1]

'Foreign born...?' : ) So - that would make the goddess 'Saga' of the Norse, what - foreign born then? You know, as opposed to Sara... ...swati.

[@w.j.esposito8021]

First became familiar with this through the Jeff Beck cover. This is otherworldly!

[@emindulancic26]

me too, and i liked those drum&bass moments.jeff beck doesen't care hahah :)

[@Roadhog49]

Made us dig deeper! Good for you! Feliz Navidad, Amigo!

[@meaghenporte4961]

I literally can not move my body when she is singing- I'm just in a trance. God blessed her, and thank God for KZbin so we can all share and experience this moment of transcendence 😊

[@kb7268]

Hypnotically beautiful. Doesn’t matter what language it is. Her voice is so smooth & she sings with just clarity & meaning. Even if you don’t understand it. It still moves you. So glad I stumbled across this. Worth a listen.

[@maverickn]

The drummer is one half of Parekh and Singh -- man he's crushing it here!

[@adarshanoop]

if only Indian mainstream was as beautiful as Nitin Sawhney's music.

[@adhityas348]

Adarsh Anoop wouldn’t you agree that Rahman and Ilaiyaaraja are formidable music-directors?

[@adarshanoop]

@@adhityas348 wow..I don't even remember commenting here. Anyways...yes I do. Legends they are.

[@rakshankm4439]

@@adhityas348 yes they both are legends,but the thing is they and many more music directors can do a lot more than what they do,because of they have to keep "bollywood" in mind while making music.

[@lakshaykhurana8101]

mainstream wouldn't be called mainstream if it was this music

[@EMPTYCUP111]

I keep coming back to this track years later, never gets old!

[@shrav1012]

Its definitely an achievement, what Nicki Wells managed with this song, but she should be praised for her voice, not because she is a Brit and yet can sing so well...and Ashwin Srinivasan...how beautifully you sing AS WELL AS play the flute...

[@vikaashsrivastav]

simply unbelievable ..... like the dedication people to whom hindi/ sanskrit is neither a native language nor a part of their culture. my respects to this lady....

[@rahulsethi7745]

omg she has no accent, that's amazing AND unbelievable!

[@Floating_Lotus]

That's year's of study and hard work..amazing!

[@MrJohnsolomon]

You mean she doesn't sound foreign. Americans think they don't have accents. And everyone else does. She must have an Indian accent when she sings because if she didn't, you'd say she has an accent when she sings. So she'd have a neutral accent

[@rahulsethi7745]

@@MrJohnsolomon Americans don't have a monopoly in believing the world revolves around themselves

[@saisindhuja8829]

Nicki's voice is a sweet surprise! :D

[@ruby04able]

Hope one day I can get to sing a Hindi song in this studio.! :) Love from Mexico

[@lawrenceglaser1530]

Looks like there are about 27 people still around who prefer nursery jingles. Thumbs down? Are you serious? Try it, even with the rubber cow bell, you could not possibly comprehend what tragic judgement you have exhibited..... this is a 10, not a -1. Duhhhh

[@chriswilkinson8062]

Best to ignore them and leave them to their stupidity, bigotry, and utter lack of cultural nuance - they were born into that path of ignorance. This is music for people who have long left behind such primitive notions...

[@blakey1664]

Wow, Nicki Wells what a stunning voice 🎉!!

[@AldricGilbertLibertalia]

wow, her voice really blow my mind transporting me to other universe.

[@andyreid2590]

Wonderful vocals....extraordinary musicians....Just WOW!

[@ИгорьБотов-д6и]

Дорогие ВЫ мои песня необычайная для многих но давайте все в месте растопим лёд границ между странами и будем ближе друг к другу хоть на децал а семечка прорастёт и ещё как УВИДИТЕ ВСЕ !!!

[@yonim801]

why would anyone thumbs down this

[@gtrmajor]

The bassist is a kid and still she plays like a pro. Kickass!.

[@L20241]

Mohini Dey!

[@frankmat658]

She is one of the best pro out there!

[@narayansunil4535]

This is so beautiful. You never wanna stop listening to it. Despite probably not understanding the lyrics, Nikki Wells conveys the emotion of the song in the most accurate manner. The production, the mastering, everything is just perfect.

[@kernelstudios8996]

yes, and Sawhney is a really brilliant musician.

[@letiziafarisato8780]

Mmmhhh... how to convey the emotion of the song if you don't understand the lyrics.... I believe she does understand them, instead. :-)

[@KillahTrax]

Omg this is the most beautyful thing i have ever heard

[@eduardomiotto]

lots of love from brazil!

[@Betaalz]

Count not believe that I had the opportunity to see this gracious piece of art finally ! And unbelievable crew !

[@AmitMishra-xy8pc]

What a beautiful rendition of an awesome song. I have heard the version that Swati Natekar sang in the original album, which was amazing in the first place. Happy to see a foreigner sing this song....with vibrato and all. A touching piece of music.

[@crissleone]

Bellissimo! Grande interpretazione ! Braviii!

[@nick343711]

OMG. Her voice is amazing. Ive heard so many versions of this song, and each one is more amazing than the next lol

[@SonsOfBoredom]

nitin sawhney did daydream .. listen to it ..

[@TheHarshuincredible]

1 Dislike proves that Aurangzeb is still alive...

[@neonblack211]

those bass slides are so damn sick ! love it

[@mccanli]

why do I cry when I listen the first 2,50 minutes ? I even do not understand one word...

[@chronicsys]

Not sure brother but I have exactly the same symptoms, gets me every time and I too have no clue what the song is about. Nicki is channeling something very special. I am trying so hard just to find the name of the song that they have used as the intro to Nadia so I can grab the lyrics and any other versions! ONENESS

[@chronicsys]

Ignore my request ... info was in the comments all along (DOH!) .... Kasturi Tilakam Shloka

[@jdsbenu]

Mehmet Cahit Canlı o

[@cytharecooper]

Nikki's voice and the musicians open up your heart with the vibration of the sounds they make. Its a feeling of the heart. All great art has this effect on us. Awesome!

[@rolfwenigmann717]

Because music can transport feelings and meaning without the need of words, and, my brother, I also can`t stop my tears from running down my cheeks caused by this musical gem. Love

[@silford89]

the Bass!!! gosh!!

[@narayansunil4535]

Silford Braganza She's fucking 14.

[@yusdrum91]

well, she's 20/21 as of this year

[@silford89]

simply awesome!!

[@NoosaHeads]

Music's a personal thing. I don't like this at all.

[@davidjanson9900]

i have always made a point of listening to music with my ears ,i like good music ,this is good music ,if you need a colour chart reference before you enjoy , it becomes a worthless excercise with pre concevied prejudice mathematics and music are the worlds true unification force ,mathematics is pure science that transgresses all languages,and music transgresses all languages , in a different way by personel choice ,as long as it is personel and not driven by the MEDIA

[@BlueTalman]

From a U.S. Listener this has motivated me to search out move India music...I have listened to every version of Nadia I can find and I love this one!

[@innotech001]

It's a great effort, but something is missing. First the pronunciation - I know she's a foreigner and all, it would've been ok if it was at least 75% perfect, unfortunately it's only 50-65% perfect. Sounds weird at few places. Then she uses falsetto too much, would have been much better if she sang in open voice through out. Also some of the Hindustani gamakams aren't that crisp as it is supposed to be. Anyhow love the distinct flavor she brought - expected more though!

[@suryayt01]

if I hadn't seen the video I wouldn't have believed that the sanskrit part was being sung by a blonde

[@francescaiossa272]

Stupenda interpretazione di un meraviglioso brano.....da napoli con amore !!! grazie

[@mikeus4412]

Simply amazing....Nitin always rocks....the highlight is Nicki's shloka.......out of the world

[@raj7desai]

The beginning part is in Sanskrit as follows: kasturi tilakam lalaata patale (The tilak (a mark worn on the forehead) of Sandalwood has been worn on your forehead) vakshasthale kaustubham (Kustubh (a jewel of Vishnu) is put on your chest) nasaagre navamouktikam (The ornament nine Pearls on the nose) karatale venum kare kankanam (Flute in your palm, Bracelet on your wrist) sarvaange harichandanam su lalitam (Your body is covered with Sandalwood and is fragrant) (1/n)

[@faizrafiq3419]

The bassist is fuckinh cool

[@rosariolettera5931]

ogni popolo deve prendere la bellezza di tutti gli altri popoli, non è contaminazione, non è perdita di identità, solo perfezione universale each nation must take in the beauty of all other peoples, it is not contaminated, it is not a loss of identity, only universal perfection

[@raj7desai]

kanthe cha muktaavali (On your Neck is the Muktavaali (another ornament of Vishnu)) gopastree pariveshtitho (You are the giver of Mukti (salvation) to the lady-cowherds who went rounds and rounds around You) vijayate gopaala choodamanee (Oh that Lord, Victory to You -The Ornament to the ornaments of cowherd (meaning, the commonest of the common man too has his wealth in Him) !) This Sanskrit verse is describing the beauty of Krishna/Vishnu and his nature (2/n)

[@AshishSaw]

Basically for video purpose, you shot the same song twice.. so editor get more choice of shots.. trust me it is original.. and btw i am not associated to Coke Studo @ Mtv 2 If you found that mistake, then editor is at fault and music producer or singer.

[@yannisxmarkos7145]

I am listening to this wonderful music since 1990s and love it always

[@getusoon]

Excellent work and hats off to Nicki Wells. I guess she could give our Shubha Mudgals a run for their money anyday. However, Ashwini Srinivasan is a good flutist but a rather "dead" lead (or supporting) vocalist. Sawhney would do better to have more flute and get another male lead.

[@asifahmed1801]

wao! how can any foreigner able to sing like the way as Indian singer. Sometimes i think she is too good than native . Nadiyaan Bairee Bhayrein means like as the river is flowing.! in this song her tongue is also flowing as river flows.

[@Saumyafully]

I am a fan of coke studio... but for the first time, I think that this is fake. at 6.34, she has her both hands off the mic. And the next moment, only the camera has changed, but this time her right hand is on the mic. Can't find how this is possible...

[@hamidabrahimi4553]

Divin! Magnifique chanson dans une voix superbe. verry sweet! merci Nicki Wells.

[@brahmabul]

Heard Nicki Wells for the first time. She's got a great voice. But I could not understand a thing in the song. Really can't understand why MTV doesn't post the meaning of the lyrics. Its very frustrating and disappointing.

[@sitirahma5667]

This. Is. Amazingly. Woderful.

[@harrymc9263]

Just discovered this after hearing Jeff Becks cover many times. To be honest I thought it was an original piece by him. His version blew my mine but this just goes far beyond that. Singer and Bass are amazing as is everyone else. .

[@yusdrum91]

but Jeff Beck version (the one at Ronnie Scott's) in a way inspires this version though, especially the bass part, if you heard the album version it's much more drum&bass/jungle kind of thing.

[@goops7]

Amazing. Thank you Nikki and Nitin. ☺️

[@prateetichowdhury8938]

it seems as if this video is dubbed and a playback singer is singing while nicki is just lip syncing it!!!awesome man!!!!hats off....to every1 attached to this song

[@shanalt]

On the contrary, if u haven't seen the video then its hard to recon whether its the blonde or the black p.s no racial pun intended only talkin about hair colorsss...;)

[@myungskywalker3759]

when will indians stop obsessing abt agrez ppl doin sumthin 'indian'. essence is in originality. i like the original version way better with the indian singer.

[@Himadri199]

Fusion of Drum and Tabla ...wow ...and the bass is so nice .....and m wondered by the mantram ...\m/

[@PhilGooch]

Incredible. I remember being blown away by Beyond Skin in the late 90s, and have just rediscovered Nitin's music.

[@RoyALT_E]

Hindi/Sanskrit is obviously not her native language. Yet she sings it with such beauty and depth. Mad Respect.

[@ZungaBungalunga]

Nicki Wells is a beauty of musician , performer and woman🌹

[@davidwheatley6640]

Omg what a voice. Perfect tone and note. Special, and with such a relatively complex piece.

[@bossaut]

Nicki is unbelievable

[@amitkumar-wj8gn]

make that 14 aurangzebs now...guess the original Aurnagzeb who disliked this video hates music and loves reproducing...:)

[@paulmorris5755]

What a great way to start the day

[@rJtRajatToshniwal]

more than 90% of indians would not be able to repeat those sanskrit lines even after practising 100 times or so..

[@ASquare725]

Jivraj's drumming is so good on this !

[@asassincreed2415]

Unexpected, beautiful voice, wow

[@sida3590]

starts well but the minute the instruments join it turned to noise for me. Love Nikki Wells voice though!

[@maharishi13]

I understad the vocalist is foreigner...but the Sanskrit pronunciation is messed up. Otherwise a great song!

[@raj7desai]

my interpretation of the Song: In Hindu mythology, God (Vishnu/Krishna) is a Souls ultimate lover and the poet is saying that He is calling me but this River (could imply worldly attachments) is the distance between us. But God does not understand this and is persistently calling me. Sorry for multiple comments. For some reason, youtube has a char. limit on it's comments. (n/n)

[@RiYa-qb3dg]

Listening to this again in 2024. Its been 10+years ❤❤❤❤ Such an astonishing composition.

[@johngodwin4586]

In response to a comment I made 4 yrs ago , I was prompted to listen to this again. It is a beautiful piece of music Nitin must have been so proud of all who contributed to this. Mohini, please stop all the glam, I think you're too talented to be dressed up like a cheap rock star .

[@carlosdanielmamani5700]

En qué fue inspirado esta hermosa melodía Nadia

[@CraigMurleyElasticstudio]

Her voice! My god... what incredible control.

[@irenemartins1796]

Great musicians, wonderful music! Thank you, obrigada!

[@joshlumbangaol5337]

Jeff Beck covers this so good

[@MoxieCom]

A beautiful song, sung by a Goddess.

[@mimiours]

Despite my appreciation of Nikki Wells' talent, nothing compares to Reena Bhardwaj's cover...

[@Sahajayuva]

Beautifully made! Jai Shri Mataji 🙏♥️

[@nathswathi]

I think the original one is a lot better...especially the male voice is not good.

[@edsonfcordeaca4958]

If I am a racist for saying that this singer has a voice as perfect as an indian devotional female singer so well skilled, alright. Claire you don't even know me enough to label.

[@AlexM-kl4we]

welll, that was reductionist and essentializing. there's more than one kind of "Indian" music my sib

[@railpressureflip]

That's not at all racist. Its racist if idiotic far left wing purists label it as so, since they enjoy getting offended by every thing. Well said, I agree with you.

[@samkingsite]

dude did you not read the word "devotional" or did you not know what it means i'd say he's pretty accurate that sound is a typical devotional indian female singing voice

[@mahniadridi9131]

Edson F Cordeaca dont worry bro , i feel u , i was astonished the day i heard a japanese girl insulting in a perfect tunisian dialect some guys in front of bourghiba school Tunisia, Tunis. it's always a pleasure to see cross culture. Haters will always hate , no matter what. ;)

[@indieanushaproject8496]

She is good but no where close to an Indian classical singer.. there is clear limitations in her voice, the ending sounds almost nothing Indian

[@RonWinter335]

Yikes...beautiful.

[@EvilEddtheRed]

Off the scale. If you like this, you might also like Hari Prasad Chaurasia.

[@santrealyste]

i also personally like the original version more with regards on arrangement, but the voice here is just sooooo incredible (imo, hehe.)

[@lalitavijayvargiya233]

Jai Shri mata ji 🙏🏻 nicki. Very well sung, ma bless you ❤

[@vishnuravi1203]

i thought this song was jeff beck's till baiju dharmajan told me

[@labellademasensmercy]

just got goosebumps at 2:53 when the chorus started.. heavenly..

[@Mindfookfilms]

Are Nicki and Tanya Wells the same person? Are they sisters? They both look and sound the same.

[@MsMyrule]

Isn't Jivraj Singh on Parekh and Singh now? I'm only discovering this version in 2020.

[@STEMginger]

Always amazed at the number of wonderful musical talents that Nitin finds to collaborate with. And how many people just don’t engage as apparently the music is just not formulaic enough.

[@subhp3917]

wohhh.. unexpected... wow.. just wow.. a huge applaud for her.. lovely..

[@arnabdc]

Nicki Wells has such a nice voice for Indian classical !