In the heart of Scotland, a bold musical experiment has taken root, one that dares to bridge centuries, continents, and cultural memory. This is Rootless, a Scotland-based collective of Romani and Indian musicians committed to turning history into living, breathing sound. The project was born from a spark between Janos, producer and founder of AG Productions, and acclaimed tabla maestro Sodhi. Both were inspired by a profound historical truth often overlooked: the Roma people trace their ancestry back to India. Though generations of migration have reshaped their customs and music, the echoes of origin remain strong, pulsing like a heartbeat beneath centuries of adaptation. Rootless exists to honor that connection, musically, visually, and emotionally. Its mission is as ambitious as it is heartfelt: to create high-quality original music and foster authentic collaborations that bring Roma culture into the mainstream alongside other communities, not in competition but in celebration.
AG Productions itself is a new Roma-led multicultural production company built on this same foundation, a vision of cultural bridges built beat by beat, melody by melody. The collective itself is a powerful blend of heritage and skill. From the Romani side come David (vocals), Matus (guitar), Martin (bass), and Elisei (saxophone), all members of the renowned Romani band ZOR. From the Indian side, the rhythmic fire burns through Sodhi on tabla (also the host of the Talking Tabla podcast), Prince on dhol, and Karan on vocals, each bringing the heartbeat of South Asia to the table. Together, they do not simply “fuse” traditions. They reunite them. Drawing inspiration from Indian rhythmic masters such as Zakir Hussain and Punjabi folk percussion, alongside Romani folk, manele traditions, and the modern cross-cultural approach pioneered by artists like Goran Bregović, Rootless has forged a sonic identity that respects every origin while carving a new path forward.
Released on August 8th, 2025, Rootless’ debut single, “RakiTaki Tanana,” is more than a song, it’s the sound of migration remembered, a joyful reunion of traditions separated by geography but never by spirit. Composed by Matus and David, with lyrics adapted and translated by Sarmad Ghafoor, the track is the manifestation of Rootless’ founding vision: a vibrant conversation between Romani soul and Indian rhythm. At its core, the song is driven by Sodhi’s intricate tabla and Prince’s thunderous dhol, the double heartbeat of South Asia, layered with Matus’ flamenco-inspired guitar and Elisei’s fiery saxophone, creating a sonic landscape that feels both ancestral and thrillingly new. Over it all, Karan’s soaring vocals ride the rhythm like a bird carried by the wind, expressive, commanding, and deeply alive.
It feels like a street festival captured in sound, vibrant, communal, kinetic, where every instrument, every voice, every rhythm is not simply played but celebrated. This isn’t a collision of genres; it’s a conversation, a call across generations and continents reminding the world that while migration changes landscapes, heritage lives on. The accompanying music video extends this celebration into motion and color. Two saree-clad dancers merge the grace of Indian classical dance with the spirited vitality of Romani movement, their choreography synchronizing perfectly with the song’s driving pulse. Around them, the band radiates raw energy: tabla and dhol at the forefront, flamenco-style guitar and saxophone adding gypsy-Spanish fire, and a tight bass line grounding it all in an unshakable groove. “RakiTaki Tanana” is not just Rootless’ first release. It is a declaration, that the rhythms of our ancestors still live in us, waiting to be heard, shared, and celebrated across the world.
The song “RakiTaki Tanana” by Rootless is an exhilarating musical journey that bursts to life from the very first beat, pulling listeners into its world with a sense of urgency and celebration. Right from the onset, the track feels like an invitation into something communal, a ritual of sound where rhythm, energy, and cultural essence intertwine. The opening immediately commands attention with its earthy pulse, introducing layered percussion that feels both primal and sophisticated. There is an undeniable rawness to the way it begins, almost as though the instruments are awakening a sleeping energy and stirring it into motion. This entrance is not timid or reserved, it is bold, immersive, and instantly signals that the listener is about to embark on a vibrant sonic experience that thrives on movement, groove, and an unshakable sense of vitality. It’s the kind of opening that makes you lean closer, eager to hear where the rhythm will lead, while also planting the irresistible urge to sway, clap, or move in sync with the beat.
As the piece develops, the instrumentation deepens, showcasing the artistry of Rootless in building a soundscape that is dense yet breathable. The percussion dominates the scene, with congas, hand-drums, and shakers providing intricate polyrhythms that overlap and intersect beautifully. Each strike of the drum feels intentional, sharp when it needs to be, resonant when the moment calls for depth, and always perfectly timed to contribute to the rolling momentum of the track. The shakers add texture and shimmer, riding atop the heavier drum beats like sparks leaping from a fire, keeping the energy fresh and constantly evolving. This intricate layering prevents the track from ever feeling repetitive, as the interplay between instruments gives it a sense of movement and transformation, even within its steady pulse. The way the percussionists weave together rhythms demonstrates an understanding of groove that goes beyond performance, it feels instinctual, rooted in tradition, and executed with absolute precision.
The groove of “RakiTaki Tanana” is what truly elevates it into something unforgettable, and it’s the groove that carries the listener into a state of pure immersion. There is a rolling, almost hypnotic quality to the rhythm that grips the body and doesn’t let go, drawing listeners into a trance-like state where movement feels less like a choice and more like a natural response. It’s impossible not to feel this groove physically, it reverberates through the chest, tingles in the fingertips, and urges the feet to follow along. The syncopated interplay of the percussion creates a dynamic push-and-pull sensation, keeping the rhythm alive, unpredictable, and endlessly engaging. At its heart, this groove is celebratory, brimming with joy and vitality, the kind of rhythm that speaks to the universality of dance and communal energy. It transcends language and culture, offering a visceral connection that feels timeless and deeply human.
When the vocals emerge, they are not simply layered on top of the instrumentation, they become a crucial part of the rhythmic architecture. The chant-like delivery blends seamlessly with the percussion, acting as another instrument in the ensemble rather than an element that stands apart. The phrasing is sharp, percussive, and deliberate, aligning perfectly with the beat, which reinforces the hypnotic quality of the track. There is a call-and-response element woven into the vocal patterns that gives the song a communal, ritualistic energy, as though multiple voices are uniting in a shared expression of rhythm. The tonal quality of the vocals is raw yet controlled, brimming with both passion and grit, and they heighten the song’s intensity without ever overpowering the instrumentation. These vocals feel alive, breathing alongside the drums and feeding into the same pulse, which makes the song feel less like a performance and more like a living, breathing organism made of sound and energy.
The progression of the track is carefully crafted to sustain momentum while introducing subtle shifts that keep the listener engaged from beginning to end. Rather than relying on dramatic changes, Rootless employs gradual layering, dynamic swells, and strategic restraint to shape the song’s trajectory. At moments, the percussion builds into ecstatic peaks where the rhythm seems to spill over with energy, creating an almost euphoric release, only to then retreat into steadier, grounding patterns that give the listener a moment of reprieve before the intensity rises again. This ebb and flow feels deeply organic, mirroring the cycles of nature, like the rise and fall of waves or the alternating rhythm of inhaling and exhaling. By avoiding monotony and instead cultivating this natural progression, the track maintains an immersive quality that keeps listeners locked in its grip, always anticipating the next rhythmic flourish or vocal chant.
The music video for “RakiTaki Tanana” extends the song’s immersive energy into a stunning visual form, perfectly capturing the heartbeat of its rhythm and celebratory spirit. Shot with an atmosphere that feels less like a staged production and more like a living festival, the video opens into a vibrant world where color, movement, and sound intertwine seamlessly. The central presence of saree-clad dancers is magnetic, their graceful yet fiery movements embodying the polyrhythmic pulse of the percussion. Each gesture mirrors the rise and fall of the congas, tablas, and shakers, creating a breathtaking synchronization between sight and sound. The choreography merges Indian classical elegance with the unrestrained dynamism of Romani movement, making the dance not just an accompaniment but a physical translation of the groove itself. The streetside, communal aesthetic reinforces the authenticity of the performance, amplifying the song’s invitation to join in rhythm and unity rather than remain a distant observer.
As the video progresses, the celebratory tone becomes more pronounced, with the interplay between dancers and musicians evolving into a shared dialogue of rhythm and movement. The vibrant attire, the fluidity of the dance, and the fiery intensity of the drumming together create a cinematic tapestry that reflects the essence of the track’s cultural fusion. Every frame radiates with vitality, turning the music into something tangible, something you can almost touch and feel in the dancers’ movements and the musicians’ expressions. The climax, where rhythm and choreography lock together with precision and joy, embodies the spirit of unity the song thrives on. In these moments, the video doesn’t just accompany the song; it elevates it, transforming “RakiTaki Tanana” into a full-bodied sensory experience that fuses sound, sight, and cultural identity into one unforgettable celebration. Perhaps the most striking feature of “RakiTaki Tanana” is the physicality of its sound. This is not just music you hear with your ears, it’s music you experience with your entire body just like in the music video.
The percussion resonates through the chest, the groove takes hold of the legs and hips, and the vocals cut through like sparks of energy that ignite the senses. It awakens a primal instinct to move, to dance, to participate in the rhythm rather than remain a passive observer. The celebratory essence of the track is undeniable, it feels like a song that was born for communal gatherings, for dance floors, for moments of collective joy and expression. At the same time, it is just as powerful in solitary listening, because it carries a sense of transcendence, a reminder of the shared heartbeat of humanity that rhythm has always represented. The atmosphere created is one of vibrancy, unity, and intensity. The percussion alone fills the soundscape with layers of rhythm that feel expansive and three-dimensional, while the vocals provide a sharp and electrifying edge. Together, they build a sonic tapestry that is as colorful as it is precise, both raw in energy and refined in execution. The balance between instruments and voices ensures that no single element overwhelms, allowing the groove to flow freely while maintaining a sense of cohesion.
Rootless’ ‘RakiTaki Tanana’ joyfully reunites Roma and Indian traditions, blending heritage, rhythm, and festival energy into a vibrant global celebration.
The track radiates vitality and commands attention, yet it never feels chaotic or overwhelming. It thrives on the balance between structure and spontaneity, giving the impression that while every sound is carefully placed, it still carries the spirit of improvisation and unrestrained expression. In the end, “RakiTaki Tanana” is far more than a song, it is an embodied experience of rhythm, groove, and human connection. Rootless demonstrates an extraordinary ability to craft music that feels alive, breathing through its percussion and pulsing with communal spirit. From the explosive opening to the final echoes of rhythm and chant, every detail contributes to a track that is immersive, hypnotic, and deeply moving. The groove is intoxicating, the instrumentation masterful, and the vocals electrifying, all woven together to create a sound that is both rooted in tradition and brimming with contemporary vibrance. It is a celebration of rhythm in its purest and most powerful form, a reminder that music is not just something we hear, but something we live and feel within every beat of our bodies.
Experience the thrill and beauty of witnessing Rootless play live on stage at Aberdeen Mela on the 7th of September, 2025. It would be an experience to remember for a lifetime.
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