FC Gold 2023 Winner: Santosh Narayanan | Dasara

The Telangana folk song is unique for its role in shaping Telangana culture, its people’s movements and consequently, its history. Dasara opens with an excellent example—Sinnaboye Silku Baru—which chronicles the effects of prohibition in the region. Santhosh Narayanan’s work is often justifiably called “raw” or “rustic”; what it is really doing is tuning into the timbre of the acoustic instruments, the granularities of the vocalist's voice—for it is in these inflexions where the artistry of these traditions is often embedded; where their emotive power stems from. 

This is why the percussion of Dhoom Dhaam Dostaan is perfect—there is no need for it to be amped up to sound like a “pop” song. Chamkeela Angeelesi seems to have permeated festivities and celebrations across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, but the real gem on this album is “O Amalaalo”, a tender, evocative ballad that introduces us to the world of Veerlapally. The background score is equally masterful and helps weave the mass-masala fabric of the film.