Parchaiyan: Hindi Emo Meets UK Drill On QARAN Ft. Vilen's Latest Single

Published on:

26 May 2025, 11:00 am

2 min read

Emerged from the streets of South London, UK drill is usually paired with harsh truths, fast-paced flows, and the raw cadence of underground rap. It’s gritty, cold, and ominous. And hence the bars rested upon it have also been menacing and vainglorious. Vulnerability is something that you associate with UK drill.

But what happens when they are paired not with sharp-edged bars but with somber Hindi poetry? When the adrenaline of drill meets the emotional ache of heartbreak, self-doubt, and inner battles? You get a strangely fascinating single like 'Parchaiyan'.

Crafted by Bollywood hitmaker QARAN, known for his polished pop anthems like 'Tareefan' and 'Haye Oye', and Vilen, the indie torchbearer of India’s dark pop wave, Parchaiyan is a haunting confession that leans into emo territories dressed in bass-heavy, UK drill-inspired production.

“When envisioning 'Parchaiyan', I needed a voice that could capture raw emotion and depth. Vilen’s music felt like the perfect fit. I saw this as a chance to reveal an untapped side of his artistry.”

Qaran

Thematically, 'Parchaiyan', which translates to 'shadows' is about wrestling with the parts of ourselves we tend to hide. The lyrics spiral into a space of emotional exhaustion and self-confrontation. QARAN’s brooding beats underscore every fragile line about grappling with darkness, turning vulnerability into something almost cinematic; equal parts pain and power. Vilen’s commanding voice, trembles and rises, painting images of a man trying to stay afloat in his own storm.

"This track captures that feeling of being lost in the dark, weighed down by it, and constantly reaching for something brighter — until it hits you… sometimes, the light you’re searching for is already within."

Vilen

The lyrics hint towards an internal fog and a surrender to despair. There’s a palpable sense of being overwhelmed by one’s own mind. But self-aware as he is, there's also a shift from victimhood to accountability. He admits to being the architect of his own ruin. The use of the word 'meherbaan' (merciful) suggests a complex form of self-compassion, where despite his flaws, he’s choosing not to abandon himself.

This interplay between self-blame and self-forgiveness comes through like a right of passage for self-hood. Recorded in a late-night session in Paschim Vihar and written in Mumbai, Parchaiyan feels like it belongs to the night and speaks to the dark night of the soul one goes through, where meaning and purpose collapse. But from this crisis also comes the beginning of a deeper search for renewal and a new becoming.

Follow Qaran here, Vilen here, and listen to the song below: