Renowned playback singers Shashwat Singh and Nikhita Gandhi have unleashed their second single Kaari is a duo under ShNik. The track follows the runaway success of their debut Kaahe and showcases the duo’s signature fusion of rustic folk melodies with contemporary hip-hop grooves.

In Hindi, Kaari translates to “rough” or “harsh,” and the song explores that sentiment through a relatable exchange between a couple: the woman complains, “I don’t like the way you speak to me,” while the man, clueless, wonders what he’s done wrong. This playful yet universal argument lies at the heart of the track, framed by folksy tunes, raw textures, and urban soundscapes”.

“Kaari started off as a rustic folk melody we came up with during the first lockdown in Goa, and then became the foundation of our entire duo, ShNik! We just fell in love with this urban folk sound, and Kaari is what led to the birth of ShNik,” shares Shashwat Singh.

The visuals of Kaari feature majestic storytelling that complements its folk-infused hip-hop beats and leave a lasting impression with their original melody. Jointly composed by Nikhita and Shashwat, written by Shashwat, and mixed and mastered by Sunny MR, the single is both sonically refreshing and emotionally resonant.

ShNik is the brainchild of Shashwat Singh and Nikhita Gandhi, two powerhouse voices who have delivered Bollywood chartbusters alongside legends like A.R. Rahman and Pritam. While celebrated as playback singers, with ShNik they step into an entirely new creative zone, writing, composing, and producing original music that fuses India’s folk roots with the pulse of global hip-hop.

Their journey began back in 2010 at A.R. Rahman’s music school, where they first connected. Over years of collaboration, their shared love for experimentation and songwriting led them to craft ShNik, a project that redefines the possibilities of indie music by blending heritage with innovation.

Watch Kaari now on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/xBjCn2fnIzk?si=YkkTNSqQ2_I3Er6k