'Daayra' is the latest project of the singer Raj Mohan
After years of performing light classical Indian music and jazz-crossover, as a vocalist and composer Raj was ready to go a step further; to create pop music in his own languages, using his (own) Indian background.  For this, he joined hands with Lourens van Haaften, a Dutch musician skilled both in guitar playing and in creating spectacular tunes. 
Their unique collaboration has produced a highly original new style of music in the album entitled ‘Daayra,’ which will be released in 2010.

What does ‘Daayra’ sound like?
'Daayra' is Indian pop music but not the usual Bollywood-style. It is alternative Pop and Rock with a touch of Jazz.  The band, consisting of flute, cello, drums, tabla, double and electric bass, rhodes and guitars, and voice, personifies this fresh approach to composition.

What is the concept behind 'Daayra'?
The idea behind 'Daayra' is to build a bridge between both the worlds which Raj lives in,   the Indian music world and the western pop music world.  Indian compositions are rich in melody and rhythm while western pop music has its strength in harmonics and sounds.  In order to combine these qualities to create a vibrantly original musical genre, Raj sought magical musicians immersed in western pop music, but also open enough to understand and translate Indian music.  Lourens van Haaften fit the profile perfectly.

Compilation of the Album
For the compilation of ‘Daayra’, Raj and Lourens used the Real World Studios of Peter Gabriel in England, renowned for their expertise in producing world and crossover music. The mixes are done by Marco Migliari (Charlie Winston, Crowded House, Olli & the Bollywood Orchestra).

Language
The lyrics of the songs are in Hindi, Urdu and Surinam-Bhojpuri.  A pioneer in using Bhojpuri in a contemporary manner, Raj hopes to reawaken and revolutionize the mindset of his audience.  Using Bhojpuri in Indian pop music is a breakthrough in itself.  Up until now the language has been seen only as a folk sound.  And Raj's versatility in his command of the Hindi and Urdu languages along with Bhojpuri is  unmistakeably evident in 'Daayra.'    

Raj Mohan
is a brilliant musician, composer, poet, and lyricist with his roots in Indian classical music.  His broad concept of music as an unrestricted art form places him in the category with all true artists.
Though based in the Netherlands, Raj was born in Surinam.  His relationship with India has a long history. In 1873, 136 years ago, his ancestors left India for Surinam as indentured labourers.
Raj began his study of vocal classical Hindustani music in the Netherlands with his guru, Ustad Jamaluddin Bhartiya.  Then he travelled to India to continue his musical education, absorbing the 'ins and outs' of Indian music. 
Singing the Geet, Ghazals and crossover, he has swayed audiences in the Kala Ghoda festival in Mumbai, International Bhojpuri Conference in Mauritius, Tours in Surinam, Moldavia and several other European countries.
Raj has recorded three albums (Main Ghazal Hoon, Krishna Murari mere, Kantraki) and made his debut as a poet in 2008 (Bapauti).

Lourens van Haaften
together with Raj play in van Haaften's band "VanKatoen."  Lourens recorded three albums with this very loud formation in the period 2000-2005.  Raj joined the group at special concerts in Paradiso, de Melkweg and Parkpop.
Lourens graduated with a degree in Guitar playing from the Utrecht Music school of Art in 2004.  In 2005, he formed a new band with singer/lyricist Arthur van Westerop, called "Sneaker Freak;" recording and producing their first album in 2006, mainly in his own studio.  After changing the name of the band into “People You Know,” the second album was released in 2008.