A Return to Our Roots: Conversations with Artists at No Borders
Our Return to Our Roots event in Bangalore felt like its own little world of music, art, and community. Everywhere you looked, there was something happening, something to taste, see, or get lost in.
The Courtyard was where the heart of the night beat, with Sakrè, Gaya, and Jayesh from Vinyl Souk playing live sets that lit up the space. Later, upstairs in the middle room, Murugan, Vinyl Souk, and Gaya held down intimate listening sessions, the music shifted into slower, more thoughtful grooves that met bursts of energy.
Around the music, the NB Marketplace was buzzing with all srts of beautiful people. Wine in Progress poured glasses, Subko kept everyone fueled with coffee, Khushi did back to back tattooes and Maachis filled the space with their match boxes. Annie’s Pickles came down with theeir tastiest homemade pickles, not just bijoux showed off their orchid jewelry, the Aravani Art Project brought prints, Mokae Beauty Bar brought 90s looks, and the Quick Take photobooth helped take home keepsakes.
We also had Murugan’s in-house collection of vinyls and tapes, hand-painted t-shirts from Bakr, totes and T-shirts from Manjapai, hot sauces from Kaaram OK, prints from Akshita Sinha, Gauri Elisa's palestine prints, No Borders homemade Cookies, Pankh Jewellery, NB Merch, and tote bags and 90s board games from Daak, all bringing their own spark to the mix.
By the end of the night, it all came together the way No Borders always hopes for: layered, collaborative, and alive with people just being themselves.
We sat down with each of the performers to reflect on their practice, their experience at No Borders, and what it means to be part of a community that celebrates art without borders.
Sakre
Q1. Your sound feels experimental and layered, what inspires you to push the edges of electronic music?
If I have to do the same thing again and again, I tend to get bored. As a result of which, I keep trying new ways to surprise myself with new sounds, arrangements etc.I enjoy that a lot and it makes me happy, that itself is an inspiration.
Q2. How has your practice as Sakré evolved over time, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
I evolved from being a guitar player to being a producer. Along the way I picked up sampling as a main method of production. Since then, my sound has constantly been evolving ranging from jazz inspired boom bap to funk to borderline dance music, I can’t quite describe. I hope whoever listens to my music feels the same way I feel listening to those songs.
Q3. How was the experience of bringing that sound to a No Borders audience?
“It was absolutely amazing, it is very encouraging to play to an audience that is open for newer sounds.”
“Performing at No Borders felt like being surrounded by people who genuinely want to listen, not just to the music, but to the emotion behind it.” - Sakrè
Q4. Was there a moment during your set where you felt especially in sync with the crowd or the space?
The crowd caught on to the groove and jived along through out, it was fun!
Q5. Since so many of us are from North Karnataka, how was it just hanging out, performing, and repping our roots together in Bangalore?
This was pleasantly surprising! Also a proud feeling that something profound is coming out of that place. I never thought that would happen, but it is happening and I’m glad!
Q6. To you, what does being part of No Borders mean, both personally and for the independent scene in Bangalore?
It’s such a warm, loving community of people, we need more such events and spaces for artists to express themselves freely.
“For me, returning to roots isn’t about going backwards, it’s about carrying where I come from into every experiment I make.” - Sakrè
VINYL SOUK DXB - JAYESH VERALKAR
Q1. What first drew you to collecting and playing vinyl, and how did that evolve into Vinyl Souk?
I’ve always been collecting music across different formats—starting with CDs and cassettes while growing up. My journey with records began during the pandemic, when my partner gifted me a turntable for my birthday. From there, it spiraled into a deeper exploration of sound and culture.
Vinyl Souk grew very organically out of that passion. The idea was simple: to build a community-driven platform where like-minded collectors, music lovers, and creatives could come together. A no-frills space dedicated to sharing, discovery, and celebrating independent art & culture.
Q2. This was your first time playing in Bangalore, how did it feel to bring Vinyl Souk to this city?
I’d actually played in Bangalore before, in 2023 with Dynamite Disco Club, but this was the debut of Vinyl Souk in India. And I couldn’t have asked for a better city or a collaborator. Bangalore has always felt genuine—open to fresh sounds and new ideas.
With No Borders, it felt effortless because we share the same passion and vision for arts and culture. That synergy made this debut feel an epic ‘return to our roots’ experience in a true sense.
“Sharing records at No Borders reminded me why I started digging in the first place: music always connects people across lines.” - Jayesh Veralkar
Q3. Playing at No Borders, how did the space and crowd influence the flow of your set?
The theme ‘Return to our Roots’ was such a beautiful anchor. The courtyard, the Bangalore weather, and the buzzing creative marketplace created the perfect backdrop. From the start, we set the tone with Arabic jazz-funk, Afro, cumbia, disco, and South Asian sounds, slowly building the energy into an open-air dance floor.
Later, at the Middle Room, I had the chance to play a strictly 45s funk & soul set. The space and crowd gave me the freedom to move between deep listening and pure groovy energy.
Q4. Was there a moment during your set when you felt a strong connection with the crowd through the music?
Honestly, the entire evening felt like a community celebration. But what stood out were the live sets—Sakre Music with his unique take on South Indian classics and hip-hop, followed by Dubai/Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Gaya. Both had the crowd completely tuned in.
Our conversation with Mr. Murugan was so well received. Seeing how attentive and engaged the audience was during those performances made the night feel extra special. It reminded me why these exchanges matter—the connection goes beyond DJ and crowd, it becomes a shared moment of culture.
Q5. In your view, what role can spaces like No Borders play in keeping vinyl and diverse music cultures alive?
Spaces like No Borders are vital because they act as cultural connectors. They give room for experimentation, for artists and audiences without the pressure of commercial formats. By hosting markets, live sets, listening sessions, and collaborations, they keep diverse music cultures alive in a very tangible way.
For vinyl specifically, it’s about more than nostalgia—it’s about slowing down, engaging deeply, and valuing music as a shared experience. Platforms like No Borders ensure those values continue to have a home. Our first release ‘Made in the Emirates - Volume 1’ is available on No Borders Shop which makes this collab even more relevant.
“I loved how the courtyard turned into this open living room — everyone moving, talking, listening, without barriers.” - Jayesh Veralkar
GAYA
Q1. Your music often feels deeply personal and emotional, what themes inspire your songwriting the most?
The process of songwriting has always been extremely immediate for me, connected to my experiences and the people I meet. It tends to be about love, self-love, acceptance, and walking your own path. I also focus on small details, conversations, joys, challenges. The more specific something is, the more universal it becomes. Sometimes the simplest word can explain the biggest thing in the truest way.
Q2. This was your first time performing in Bangalore, what was the experience like sharing your music with this audience?
It’s one of the most memorable performances I’ve ever had. The audience was so receptive and fully there for the music. Performance is always a dialogue, and that day everyone was participating. The room sounded perfect for a singer-songwriter, and I really felt the energy, joy, and acceptance of the audience.
“Singing at No Borders let me slow down and just be — it felt like the music was holding space for everyone, including me.” - Gaya
Q3. Performing at No Borders, did the space and community shift how you shared your songs that evening?
What I really enjoyed about No Borders is the shared experience. Everyone was there for the same reason, and it gave me permission to be as vulnerable as I wanted. Performing in that space, with an audience that genuinely cares about art and storytelling, made me feel free. Even after the performance, people stayed back to share what they connected with, that was really moving.
Q4. What was the most memorable connection or moment you had with the audience during your set?
There were two moments that stood out. One was when someone in the audience recognized my Tamil song Anbe — that reaction was so beautiful, it gave me a visceral response. The second was during a sneak listen of my song Tamilish. Everyone danced and got into it, and sharing unreleased music with them felt vulnerable yet joyful. I’ll never forget both of those moments.
Q5. No Borders celebrates art without boundaries, what does that idea mean to you in your own creative journey?
Art without boundaries is central to my journey. Growing up in Dubai and traveling a lot, I’ve been part of projects that bring together people from different cultures. Music and art transcend language and geography. When it comes from a true place, you don’t need a shared language to connect. No Borders embodies that through its community and events, and I’m really proud to be part of it.