Folk Masti: A Music Band that Rhymes its Rhythms to the Roots of India!

Strums from the roots of rural India, beats from the bylanes of towns, and hymns from hills— that’s the sonic palette of Folk Masti, a Mumbai-based folk-fusion that has been redefining independent music since 2014. With singer-songwriter Vipul Panchal at the helm, and joined by Sachin Guldagde on keys and Saket Rao on drums and percussion, the trio brings together melodies that feel both timeless and contemporary.

Rooted in folk traditions but unafraid to experiment, Folk Masti crafts songs inspired by real-life stories, street corners, and heartfelt conversations. “We wanted to create something real—something that connects with people across ages and backgrounds,” Vipul shares. Their music is a delightful confluence of instruments and genres, where the dholak and khartal sit comfortably alongside jazz grooves, reggae rhythms, and rock-inspired progressions. And with songs in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and more, the band taps into India’s linguistic and emotional diversity. “There is something honest and raw about folk music that we always want to portray,” says the band’s founder. 

Language Has a Sound Too 

This honesty is beautifully put out in diverse forms by the trio—sometimes sonically, sometimes lyrically. “Every language has a sound, and we try to make that music resonate with the topic we choose. Like one of their songs, "Aur Tum Kya Chahte" captures the vibrant essence of Goa with the beaches, vibes and a few lines in Konkani. “Sometimes, it's the place that brings out the stories in you,” says Vipul. Their songs, being shot in locations like Himachal, bring out the best of that place in the form of melodies. Whatever the medium is, the music needs to bind people together. In the early years, building an audience wasn’t easy. But the trio persisted, driven by the warmth and validation of people who found joy in their songs. “When someone walks up and says, ‘Your song reminded me of home,’ that’s everything,” says the founder.

Along this journey, the community has also played a vital role in promoting the ideology of music by Folk Masti. They have collaborated with artists and bands like Kabir Cafe, Vasu Dixit and Gladson Peter aka One Man Band to produce some soulful and notable music. But their forte is not limited to music releases; they perform live as well. Whether it’s a college fest, a street gig, or an intimate baithak, Folk Masti adapts effortlessly, curating setlists that resonate with the space and spirit of the audience. “We personally love performing live, as it gives a sense of community to spread our homegrown music to the masses,” says Panchal. 

In a landscape of ever-changing trends, Folk Masti stays rooted, letting real stories, real sounds, and real smiles lead the way.