There’s something slightly terrifying about performing an original song.

Cover songs come with a safety net. People already know the lyrics. They know when to clap. Sometimes they even sing along. Original music? That’s a completely different game.

At Jai Hind Music Café’s On Beat, Shashank Chandel walked on stage with nothing but a guitar and a song that existed entirely in his own head until he decided to share it with a room full of people.

No pressure, right?

What we love about this performance is how little it tries to impress you. There are no flashy solos, dramatic pauses, or attempts to force an emotional moment. Shashank simply sits down and lets the song do what good songs are supposed to do: tell a story.

And somehow, that’s exactly what makes it so captivating.

The thing about original music is that it always feels a little more personal. Every lyric, every chord change, every tiny imperfection belongs to the artist. The audience isn’t connecting with a song they’ve heard a hundred times before. They’re hearing a piece of someone for the very first time.

That’s a vulnerable thing to do, especially on a college stage.

But Shashank carries it with a quiet confidence that keeps you listening. Before you know it, you’ve stopped thinking about whether it’s a cover or an original and you’re simply caught up in the performance.

Watching it back now feels like a reminder of what makes college music culture so special. Yes, the big band performances are fun. Yes, everyone loves a crowd favourite. But sometimes the moments that stay with you are the quieter ones.

Just a student. A guitar. An original song.

And a room that listened.