Whistling Through the Dark: “Golden Oriole” and the Magical World of PankhiPari

If you ever wandered through a certain garden in Ahmedabad years ago, you might have heard Disney soundtracks drifting down from the treetops. That wasn't a movie set; it was just Pankhi and Pari. Fast forward to today, and the sisters have traded tree branches for recording booths, but that same childhood magic remains the heartbeat of their music. Their latest release, “Golden Oriole,” is a breathtaking Indie ballad that proves some of the most powerful stories are the ones shared between sisters.

Pankhi and Pari’s origin story is as "Indie" as it gets. Homeschooled and inseparable, they spent their early years playing pretend and improvising melodies while perched on high branches. They didn't just pick up instruments; they grew into them. Before they were even out of their teens, they were the "café kids," performing covers and writing anniversary songs for their parents. Now, at 24 and 22, they’ve evolved into a multidisciplinary powerhouse, starting their days with the disciplined rhythm of Kathak riyaaz and ending them on a terrace swing, chasing new song ideas as the sun dips below the Ahmedabad skyline.

But don’t let the whimsical background fool you—their new single, “Golden Oriole,” carries heavy emotional weight. Written while Pankhi was supposed to be studying for her college finals, the song was born from a place of profound vulnerability. It’s a tribute to their father during his battle with a terminal illness, capturing that paralyzing feeling of watching a loved one suffer while being unable to stop it. To make the tribute even more personal, they wove whistle notes into the intro that mimic the literal call of the Golden Oriole bird—a haunting, beautiful bridge between nature and grief.

Recording the track was a slow-burn process that took years to perfect. When they finally hit the studio at Compass Box, they worked with a dream team including Raag Sethi and Anuj Ajsara. Despite the years of preparation, the magic happened fast: the vocals were captured in just three intimate sessions. Influenced by atmospheric giants like Hozier and Sufjan Stevens, the sisters have managed to create a sound that feels both grand and incredibly private, like a secret whispered between family members.

At its core, PankhiPari is a celebration of the "things we cannot do without." For them, that list is simple: creating art, that terrace swing, and each other. From meeting in the hospital (a perk of being sisters) to navigating the complex world of Indie music, their bond is their greatest instrument. “Golden Oriole” isn't just a song you listen to; it’s a song you feel. It’s a reminder that even when we are helpless to change the circumstances, we can always find a melody to carry us through.