Thakur Jamai by Baba Sehgal

Thakur Jamai is one of those rare Odia tracks that manages to feel both fresh and familiar the moment it begins. Abhijit Majumdar has a history of strong work, and the music on Thakur Jamai is among the most memorable of it.

The vocal on Thakur Jamai is among the better performances Baba Sehgal has committed to record. Hearing Thakur Jamai without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Thakur Jamai.

The song dates from 2013, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. There is a quality to Thakur Jamai that makes it feel like company — the kind of song you put on when words feel insufficient.

The concision of Thakur Jamai — just 3:59 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. Songs like Thakur Jamai are the reason people fall in love with Odia music and never quite fall out of it.