Omkar Salunkhe Honors Indigenous Spirit with Land of Maasai, Out Now!

Single celebrates World Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the birthday of Guru Ustad Taufiq Qureshi

Mumbai, 9^th August 2025: Mumbai-based percussionist, rhythm arranger, and producer Omkar Salunkhe steps into a deeply personal new chapter with his latest single Land of Maasai, today, a date that holds double significance: World Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the birthday of his Guru, Ustad Taufiq Qureshi.

Marking his first solo release since 2021’s Cuba Groovin’, Land of Maasai is a tribute to the strength, dignity, and spirit of Indigenous communities. The track draws inspiration from the vibrant culture of the Maasai people of East Africa, sparked by Omkar’s encounter with the powerful photographic work of Jimmy Nelson, whose portraits of Indigenous tribes stirred a primal connection.

Stream the song here:

“Jimmy Nelson’s images made me feel something very primal,” Omkar reflects. “They made me hear a sound in stillness, rhythm in silence. That’s what I tried to capture here.Land of Maasai is my offering to rhythm, heritage, and the stories that live in our bones”, says Omkar.

The single blends earthy percussion, layered tribal chants, and cinematic textures to create an ancient-meets-modern soundscape that is at once raw and refined. Featuring Prathamesh Kandalkar and Avadhoot Phadke, with mixing and mastering by Chinmay Mestry, the composition bridges heritage and contemporary sensibilities.

Known for collaborations with A. R. Rahman (Atrangi Re, Chamkila, Why? – The Musical), Ustad Zakir Hussain and Mickey Hart (In the Groove), and live performances alongside Shankar Mahadevan, Niladri Kumar, Ranjit Barot, Sukhwinder Singh, and others, Omkar has spent years honing his craft across genres and continents. Yet Land of Maasai is a release he intentionally held back until the right moment, making it both timely and timeless.

Land of Maasai will be available on all major streaming platforms from today.