Kutle Khan says folk music carries ‘history of longing’ as ‘Ae Ajnabee’ gains popularity
MUMBAI — Folk singer Kutle Khan said traditional music has long reflected themes of longing, a sentiment he believes is at the heart of his latest track “Ae Ajnabee,” which has been receiving a strong response from listeners.
The song, created in collaboration with Aditya Rikhari and Ravator, is part of the latest season of “Coke Studio Bharat” and blends folk influences with contemporary sounds.
“Folk music has always carried the history of longing, it is built from it. With ‘Ae Ajnabee’, we weren’t trying to recreate something old, we were letting something old speak in a new voice. That, to me, is what music should do, and Coke Studio Bharat created a space where that conversation is possible,” Kutle Khan said.
The track explores themes of love and distance across generations, connecting emotions expressed through handwritten letters and quiet moments with modern-day communication like late-night texts and unspoken feelings.
Aditya Rikhari said the song captures a universal experience of yearning without over-explaining it.
“‘Ae Ajnabee’ captures a feeling many of us have experienced. Wanting someone, missing someone, and not always having the words for it. What stands out to me is that the song doesn’t try to over-explain that emotion, it simply allows it to exist. Coke Studio Bharat gave us the space to approach it honestly and believe that truth is what listeners will respond to,” he said.
Musically, the track bridges traditional and modern styles, combining folk-rooted melodies with contemporary pop production.
Rikhari’s vocals ground the song in a relatable, modern tone, while Kutle Khan brings a deeper, traditional texture. Ravator’s production ties the elements together, aiming to preserve the emotional core of the track.
“This song felt very instinctive from the start. For me, the approach to production was simple, protect the emotion at the centre of the track,” Ravator said.
“Aditya and Kutle Khan brought so much feeling to it that I just followed that energy. It was about listening carefully and building around what was already there,” he added. (Source: IANS)
