Special Projects
Original works and collaborations by Rushil Ranjan for orchestra, choir, voice, dance and film.
A. R. Rahman × Rushil Ranjan
Rangreza co-composed by A. R. Rahman & Rushil Ranjan
Orchestral arrangements by Rushil Ranjan
Royal Albert Hall · April 2026
Two composers bring their musical languages together in Rangreza, a new commission for orchestra, choir and solo voices. The programme also presents A. R. Rahman’s existing compositions in Rushil Ranjan’s orchestral arrangements.
With Abi Sampa, Sarthak Kalyani, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Voices. Conducted by Melvin Tay.
Orchestral Qawwali Project
Created by Rushil Ranjan & Abi Sampa
Orchestra, choir & South Asian musicians
The poetry and spiritual intensity of qawwali take on a symphonic scale. Rushil composes the orchestral scores and directs the music; Abi is the project’s co-founder and central voice. Together they have brought OQP to international audiences and sold-out performances at the Royal Albert Hall, Roundhouse and Birmingham Symphony Hall.
Ruhaniyat
Original composition by Rushil Ranjan
Manchester International Festival · 2025
An orchestral Sufi work exploring the meeting of devotional singing and the expressive range of the orchestra. Created for Manchester International Festival, Ruhaniyat premiered at Aviva Studios on 10 July 2025.
With Jyoti Nooran, Abi Sampa, Sarthak Kalyani and Manchester Camerata. Conducted by Melvin Tay.
Khwaa-ish
Original choral work by Rushil Ranjan
Southbank Centre · 2025
A work for choir and Indian classical musicians exploring the human voice as a means of spiritual expression. Choral writing, South Asian vocal traditions and dance meet in a work premiered at Queen Elizabeth Hall on 18 May 2025.
With the National Youth Choir, Abi Sampa, Sarthak Kalyani, London Voices and Aakash Odedra.
Songs of the Bulbul
Original score by Rushil Ranjan
Aakash Odedra Company · 2024
Inspired by the Sufi story of a captive songbird, this solo dance work follows a journey through beauty, loss and release. Rushil’s score brings orchestral writing and South Asian musical traditions into close conversation with movement. Premiered at Edinburgh International Festival in 2024.
Performed by Aakash Odedra. Choreography by Rani Khanam. Score recorded with Manchester Camerata.
The Absence of PRESENCE
Original symphonic score by Rushil Ranjan
NCPA commission · 2026
A score for Aditi Mangaldas’s production exploring childhood, loss and hope amid conflict. Kathak, contemporary movement and symphonic music meet in a work premiering at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, Mumbai, on 31 October and 1 November 2026.
With the Symphony Orchestra of India. Commissioned by NCPA; produced and presented by the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company and The Drishtikon Dance Foundation.
Explore The Absence of PRESENCE →
Shikwa
Symphonic poem by Rushil Ranjan
Bradford Literature Festival · 2023
A symphonic interpretation of Muhammad Iqbal’s Urdu poem, placing its questioning, devotional text within an orchestral setting while keeping the voice at the centre.
Created with Abi Sampa and Manchester Camerata for Bradford Literature Festival.
Royal Enfield
Original campaign music by Rushil Ranjan
Royal Enfield · 2025
Two scores exploring the brand’s British and Indian heritage through orchestral writing and South Asian musical traditions.
The Ballad of the Bullet
Composition, arrangement & production by Rushil Ranjan
Created for the global launch of the Bullet 650, the score pairs the Royal Albert Hall’s Grand Organ with South Indian percussion, orchestral textures and a veena solo by Abi Sampa.
House of Classic
Composition, production, arrangement & piano by Rushil Ranjan
Music for Royal Enfield’s House of Classic campaign, featuring Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur. Rushil’s score brings orchestral colour to Abi Sampa’s vocals and harmonium.
With the Orchestral Qawwali Project, Janan Sathiendran on tabla and dhamma, and additional vocals by Sarthak Kalyani.
