Himonshu Parikh On His Debut EP ‘Circles’ and ‘Dariya’ video

In the music video for Mumbai-based singer-songwriter and producer Himonshu Parikh’s “Dariya,” actors Ankush Bahuguna and Yukti Singh take us through different milestones in a couple’s life, but in reverse. Directed by Lendrick Kumar, the video for the buoyant pop song off Parikh’s debut EP Circles represents a journey through a full life— from old age to raising a family to young love, and all the way back to a marriage that almost didn’t happen.

Parikh—best known for his work with pop band The Yellow Diary, collaborations with artists like Anumita Nadesan, and film songs—is all praise for Kumar bringing “Dariya” to life with a visual narrative that feels so remarkably relatable. Himonshu says, “Lendrick and I had many discussions about what Circles is all about, what the four stages I’m talking about are, and how I feel relationships move around this path.”

As the credits roll, there’s a dedication from Parikh to his wife Dhani. This feels like an especially special nod given that the first song written for Circles—the heartfelt piano-led song “Kabhi Tu Ne Socha Tha” with singer-songwriter Kamakshi Khanna—came after Parikh and Dhani found out they were pregnant in March 2023. He recounts, “I think we had been together for almost 10 years, and I had just come back to India [from attending a wedding in Thailand] and was processing the pregnancy and realizing what was to come. I was sitting at the piano one day, just playing, and the words that came to my head were, ‘Did you ever think we would be here?’ which became ‘Kabhi Tune Socha Tha Hum Dono Honge Yaha.’ It was as simple as that.”

Across four tracks, Circles is thematically and sonically filled with motifs picked by Parikh—with an able assist from singer-songwriter Rajan Batra, his bandmate in The Yellow Diary—that start and close a loop about love and the paths it takes you on. He says, “I was just following my soul compass, so to say, and what felt right through most of the EP.” Those decisions led to groovy pop on “Dariya,” more wavy, club-friendly pop on “Udd Chala” and an understated, cinematic electronic cut like “Aisi Dooriyaan.” Songs like “Dariya” and “Udd Chala” open strong, bright, and playful, while there’s melancholy leading “Aisi Dooriyaan.” Parikh recalls that the intention behind “Aisi Dooriyaan” was to think about differences that arise in relationships, but not necessarily wallow in sadness. “It has a melancholic sort of energy because it’s a dark time in a relationship, and you have differences to navigate. But it’s not an out-and-out sad emotion, like ‘I’m crying about our differences.’ It’s more like, when did it happen, and how do we get out of this?” he says.

In “Kabhi Tu Ne Socha Tha,” Parikh closes the EP with an introspective take on the journey so far. Parikh says Khanna and he sat with Batra and found the right expression. “I basically had this entire metaphor of a cup — two people looking at their reflection in water, and the water changes over time. It’s cold, hot, rough, still, and it reflects their relationship, with the movement of the water representing the trials and tribulations it’s been through. The fourth song is about them just standing there and looking at their relationship and what it’s been through,” he explains.

The EP was released on Mar. 25, the same day the music video for “Dariya” came out as well as news of Parikh signing with Warner Music India for the project. It might seem like a lot all at once, but he says it was a long time coming. Parikh, however, adds, “I would be lying if I said there were no hints of nervousness or anxiety that come along with releases. As musicians, we really put a lot of ourselves into our music, so when we release something, it’s quite a vulnerable space. It’s like telling someone you like them and waiting for their response.”

The response has been great so far, with “Dariya” notching up over 250,000 views on YouTube and over 67,000 streams on Spotify. “Kabhi Tu Ne Socha Tha” is also picking up on streaming. Parikh adds that there are more “beautiful-looking” music videos shot in Goa, coming up for songs off Circles.

Additionally, the EP has also opened the tap for more solo songs. Then, we might just get Parikh performing his solo material with his Yellow Diary bandmates. He says, “I’m already working on a live set, and the boys from Yellow Diary have graciously agreed to perform with me. It’ll be drums and guitar-based, with Stu [DaCosta, bassist], Harsh [Gadhvi, guitarist], and Sahil [Shah, drums] on stage with me. My favorite part of being on stage is being with them, so I’m looking forward to that.”