Making Sense of this Show

Appreciate Post for S2 of Bandish Bandits

To start, I love the show. i’ve watched the entirety of it three times since it’s aired and I think it is a masterpiece.

In terms of music, I am definitely a Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy fan, but the originality of this S2 album is unmatched. From Ghar Aa Mahi, Yaahin Rahio Sa to Hichki 2.0, they just did not miss. Sakhi More and Garaj Garaj was such a refreshing take on Hindustani/Rock music which I have only gotten the chance to hear and enjoy through bands like Agam. It was nice to hear another artist’s take on this fusion.

As a singer who learns Hindustani and Western (vocal training), I think you can really start to embody some of the traits that are evident in the musical style that you learn because it is such an integral part of who you are. For Radhe, discipline, roots, tradition and honour are incredibly important because that is what his Hindustani music teaches him. However, Western music is constantly evolving and creating new genres that are not necessarily conventional, which is synonymous with how Tammanah interacts with her art. I can see how these are conflicting concepts that get in the way of their relationship because it is just so fascinating to see how they embody their art, but still falter because of their conflicting perspectives.

What I mean to say is, they are their music and that is equal parts good and bad. I just love love love the fact that what brings them together is the exact same thing that keeps them apart. AHHHH SO GOOD

In the first season, they treat Radhe like he is the most talented singer, and while I understand that he is probably more talented than the majority of singers (def enough to become the samraat), in reality, he would have a much harder time making a mark in the real musical world with all of its diversity. I love that they had that be a focal point and start to stop idolizing him as this musical God because Hindustani singers have their flaws too despite their immense knowledge of theory and technique. I did not like how they treated Tamannah as a terrible artist, because a Western singer can also do incredible things, and I am so so glad that she is becoming more confident in herself and learning because I do not think that Radhe would be able to produce a song even if his life depended on it because he is so focused on roots. Their competition this season feels more authentic because they both have flaws, in their music and in themselves.

FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT RADHE AND TAMMANAH TOGETHER. FUCK YOU.

Tammanah is incredibly valid to be confused about her feelings for Radhe because yes, she loves him, but it does not change the asshole behaviour of his in the first and second season. But genuinely, I can defend Radhe in season 1 because half the time, he’s just stupid as hell. Like why tf would you say that she sounds pitchy in a non-constructive setting. You asked to get broken up with at that point. But at the same time, Tamannah was so incredibly self-absorbed, and also just really fucking rude in that season disregarding all the hardships that he was going through. She stopped being his safe space, and he stopped being her support. That is the downfall of their relationship.

In Season 2, she is finally confident in her voice and her capabilities, and she does not want to be with the man that caused her to doubt herself in the first place. But that does not change the fact that she loves him. She does not run to Aryan because she wants to be messy. She does it because she is scared of the feelings that she has for Radhe despite the ways that he has hurt her. Imagine being drawn to someone who hurt you. That’s really fucking scary so y’all need to stop bashing my girl.

Despite Tamannah treating him terribly in the first season, he also goes back to her. Like if I was going through the stuff that Radhe was going through, it would cause lifelong trauma, Financial stress, family honour + a secret popstar life = and then your girlfriend breaks up with you because you are unable to stay afloat. At the same time, Tamannah does some dumb shit too, like trying to distract him during Ghar Aa Maahi, and despite her reasonings, kissing him while being in a relationship with Arya

My point being, nobody is innocent here, and they are both incredibly flawed humans here.

HOWEVER, THEY ARE STILL DRAWN TO EACH OTHER. THEY HAVE BANTER, AND FRIENDSHIP AND ARE ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER. THERE IS CLEARLY CHEMISTRY THERE.

They are such a fucking beautiful couple because she made him see music in a way that he never got to before. Most Hindustani singers look down on Western singers and the magnitude of Radhe saying that she is equal to Panditji is undescribable. It is maybe the most romantic thing that he could have said to her. But you can tell that he truly meant it in that moment. I truly felt their relationship so intensely this season, because him asking her to be his friend despite everything was so nice to watch. Even when they are not together, it’s clear that they connect, and have banter and all the things that you’d want in a partner.

Radhe’s problem: He wants to have integrity as an artist, and prove himself to his family + be Tamannah’s first choice.

Tamannah: She is already Radhe’s first choice, but she sees Radhe as competition, and until she gains confidence as a singer, they do not have a future.

Also PSA: nobody wants you to think Panditji was a fantastic human. He is not. But they are all human (and artists) , and are influenced by their insecurities, egos, circumstances of life as seen by Panditji, Digvijay, Rajendra, and Mohini! I just really loved how they are all such complex characters, because this is not always evident in other shows