Reconnecting with Sound Ancestors: How Baalti Channels South Asian Heritage and Community to Craft Their Sound

The music of Baalti, the creative duo of Mihir Chauhan and Jaiveer Singh, is a testament to the art of reconnecting with cultural roots while forging new paths in contemporary electronic music. Their approach draws from South Asian sounds and musical subcultures, which serve  as both an anchor and a springboard for their innovative creations. Through their work, Baalti demonstrates that reconnecting with roots can be a form of creative liberation—an opportunity to re-contextualize sounds and craft something entirely new.

As recipients of TMA-2 DJ headphones through AIAIAI’s sponsorship program, Baalti has enhanced their production process. The headphones’ modular design and exceptional sound quality perfectly complement the duo’s meticulous approach to music creation, enabling them to fine-tune their tracks with precision and clarity. This support not only elevates their craft but also reflects AIAIAI’s dedication to empowering artists and fostering innovation in the creative community.

Baalti's Creative Alchemy

The duo’s creative process thrives on balance—a dynamic interplay between solo introspection and collaborative refinement. Their "right-brain/left-brain" synergy enables them to overcome creative blocks, keeping their music fluid and free from rigid genre boundaries. Periodically stepping away from electronic music helps them refresh their minds, fostering a perspective that prioritizes artistic exploration over constraint.

At its core, however, their music is rooted in the physical and emotional experiences of the dance floor. As dancers and listeners first, Mihir and Jaiveer channel the sensations they encounter while raving into their productions. This focus on lived experience over technical precision infuses their tracks with a raw authenticity and energy that deeply resonates within the club scene.

Reinterpreting South Asian Soundscapes

Baalti’s upcoming EP draws inspiration from the vibrant yet often-overlooked soundsystem culture of West Bengal, where local crews rig massive DIY sound systems on trucks for electrifying “box competitions.” The duo blends sonic signatures and styles from the region   with club sensibilities to create tracks that feel both forward-thinking and deeply connected to the culture. 

Set to release early next year on Steel City Dance Discs, the EP channels the raw energy of soundsystem culture from West Bengal and Maharashtra through Baalti’s innovative production lens. This project furthers their mission to bridge sounds from South Asia with modern club music, showcasing how these regional practices continue to shape and inspire today’s electronic soundscapes.

A Vision of Music’s Future

As artists navigating the evolving landscape of music creation, Baalti embraces the democratization of music-making while recognizing its challenges. The diminishing barriers between listeners, DJs, and producers have fostered greater individual expression but also contributed to an oversaturated market and shrinking attention spans. Baalti’s response is authenticity—crafting music that is deeply personal and resonates with both audiences and their lived experiences.

For Mihir and Jaiveer, every beat, sample, and collaboration is a tribute to the communities, traditions, and dance floors that inspire them. With the support of tools like the TMA-2 headphones, they’re not only honoring their roots but reimagining them for a global audience, ensuring their legacy remains as vibrant and dynamic as the culture that shaped them.

Looking Ahead

Beyond their EP, Baalti is collaborating on a full-length project with their close friend Gaurav, aka Lapgan, whose contributions have been pivotal in adding depth and dimension to their work. Together, they’ve explored deep South Asian crates, channeling their shared passion for sampling into what they describe as their most genre-fluid and expressive project to date.

The duo remains dedicated to bridging cultural influences with contemporary sounds, showcasing music’s transformative power as a tool for connection and liberation. We can’t wait to hear what they create next.

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