Natania Lalwani’s new track ‘Nautanki’ celebrates heartbreak

Natania Lalwani
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Mumbai-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Natania Lalwani is a rising contemporary voice known for weaving personal experiences into her music. In her latest single, ‘Nautanki’, she transforms heartbreak into a celebration.

A week after the release of the track, Natania, connecting with us from Los Angeles, speaks about the inspiration behind the introspective theme of ‘Nautanki’. “I was thinking about how we don’t celebrate a broken heart too often. I wanted the song to capture that feeling of celebration even when it hurts. It is about a past relationship that lingers because it was significant to you — your mind may move on, but your heart takes its own time to catch up. Our hearts are so big and clumsy and nautanki (dramatic), but the amount they feel, with or without logic, is plain beautiful!”

Natania encourages listeners to see their broken hearts as a sign of courage and beauty of loving deeply; so ‘Nautanki’ is an anthem for broken hearts. “A broken heart means you loved! No matter how it ended, the fact remains you opened up, you showed up, and you let yourself be vulnerable. That’s what hearts are made for, aren’t they?”

The bittersweet narrative of ‘Nautanki’ draws upon Natania’s own experiences. “The song is very personal and reflects exactly how I felt when I wrote it. I started with the lyric, ‘When I see forest green, I can’t help but think of you,’ that actually happened that day,” she shares with a smile.

She adds, “When a relationship is significant, it never completely fades. It stays with you, bringing a new perspective.”

‘Nautanki’ also thrives on collaboration, with contributions from David Bu, Subhi, Aman, and Zeek. “Writing with close friends gives you the freedom to say anything that comes to mind. We had so much fun making it, and I think that energy comes across when you listen to it.”

Visual treat

The theatrical essence of ‘Nautanki’ comes alive in its video, directed by Sharic Sequeira, an associate director with Dharma Productions. Natania speaks highly of the collaboration: “Working with Sharic was a dream! He brought the music video to life with his vision and energy, and he was such fun to work with.” The video transforms an inventive speed-dating concept into a fashion-forward visual spectacle. “I wanted to explore the different characters we meet in the dating world and show how our weirdness always finds a match. That’s magic! Sharic took this idea and turned it into the speed-dating narrative. The result is a blend of art, music, and fashion that truly captures the song’s essence.”

‘Nautanki’ adds another layer to Natania’s exploration of womanhood and personal journeys. “My artistic narrative is about wearing your heart on your sleeve, no matter the situation; what better way to do that than with a nautanki heart dancing on your sleeve, even when you’d rather lock it away!”

Natania’s earlier singles, such as ‘Candy Cane Lane’ and ‘Mess Me Up’, combined deep, personal lyrics with catchy tunes, making her stand out in indie and mainstream music. She’s also shown her versatility through collaborations with well-known artistes and producers across different styles. Her work as a songwriter for global icons like J Balvin and Skrillex has also featured in major brands like Apple and Spotify.

Signing to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Publishing, a major milestone in her career, Natania has established herself as a multifaceted talent. The ‘Nautanki’ track also featured in Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty bridal campaign capturing 18 beautifully styled looks.

(‘Nautanki’ is now streaming on all major platforms via Desi Trill.)