MUMBAI: The recently launched Rhythm of BLR is more than just music—it is a sonic identity that embodies the cultural essence and cosmopolitan energy of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. At its core lies the BLR Anthem, composed by Grammy Award-winner Ricky Kej, which served as the foundation for BrandMusiq to build a soundscape that is both rooted and modern.
“The anthem composed by Ricky Kej was a beautiful starting point, an evocative musical expression of Bengaluru’s spirit,” shares Rajeev Raja, Founder & Soundsmith at BrandMusiq. The task for his team was to transform this composition into a versatile sonic identity that could adapt seamlessly across the airport’s touchpoints. By studying its motifs, rhythm patterns, and instrumentation, they created a MOGOSCAPE®—a sonic brandprint that serves as the blueprint for the brand’s musical identity. From this, a MOGO®, or Musical Logo, was distilled, capturing the feeling of BLR Airport in just three seconds.
For Raja, the goal was to ensure the music echoed the duality of Bengaluru—its deep cultural roots and its global, forward-looking identity. “Capturing the essence of the airport meant celebrating both its cultural heritage and its cosmopolitan energy,” he explains. The score is anchored in Raag Shankarabharanam, one of Carnatic music’s foundational ragas that aligns with the Western major scale, making it emotionally resonant for both Indian and global audiences. Traditional instruments like the mridangam and Carnatic-style guitar add a South Indian texture, while layers of synths and chimes highlight the airport’s modern, tech-driven persona. “It’s a confluence of the classical and the contemporary, much like Bengaluru itself,” Raja adds.
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Emotional depth was woven into the composition using the Navarasa framework. The sonic identity draws particularly on Shringara (warmth and belonging), Hasya (delight), and Veera (inspiration). “Shringara came through in the warmth of acoustic guitars and layered harmonies, Hasya in a hummable melodic line, and Veera in bold, dynamic rhythms,” notes Raja. These cues were translated across multiple ‘earpoints’ in the airport, ensuring that “the BLR sonic identity isn’t just heard, but felt throughout the journey.”
For frequent travelers, avoiding repetition was critical. Shalini Rao, Chief Marketing Officer at BLR Airport, highlights adaptability as the key: “The power of a well-crafted sonic identity system lies in its ability to adapt. We’re integrating the sound across the passenger journey to make the experience immersive, while ensuring it never feels intrusive.”
With Rhythm of BLR, Bengaluru Airport has introduced a sonic identity that is layered, memorable, and uniquely its own—an experience that resonates with the heart of the city and welcomes the world with music.
MOGOSCAPE® and MOGO® are registered trademarks of BrandMusiq.
