Mumbai: Spanning across three decades since its launch in 1990, Indian music band, Indian Ocean has given a number of masterpieces comprising of an eclectic mix of Indian folk, classical and rock music. This seamless amalgamation of various musical genres creates one the most sought after fusion sound. With 6 studio albums, contributions to a number of movies, and countless live performances, Indian Ocean continues to be inspiring and entertaining. It is not an easy task to pick the best, but here are few of the most popular tracks by the band.
Bandeh:
Released in 2004 ‘Bandeh’, one of the most popular Indian Ocean tracks, featured on the soundtrack of the movie ‘Black Friday’. Indian Ocean also composed the background score for the movie and created this massive hit that to peaked #2 position on film charts. The track has a sorrowful feel with vocals by Rahul Ram and late Asheem Chakravarty adding to the anguish. Sushmit Sen’s lead guitar on the track is also mesmerising.
Kandisa:
‘Kandisa’ was the third album released by Indian Ocean in 2000. The album comprised of 7 tracks with the title track ‘Kandisa’. ‘Kandisa’ is an ancient prayer in Aramaic that means holy or divine praise and was one of the greatest hits of its time. The track has a groovy drum/tabla rhythm pattern that lays the foundation with bass adding to the thump. Late Asheem Chakravarty’s vocals on this track add to the serenity created by Rahul Ram in the opening chant. The guitar improvisation lends a unique flavour that flows throughout the song.
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Tandanu:
Tandanu (2014) is a special collaborative album that features legends like Shubha Mudhgal, Shankar Mahadevan, Selvaganeshan, Kumaresh Rajagopalan and Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. Other contemporary musicians like Pentagram’s Vishal Dadhlani and Karsh Kale have also contributed to the album. This is the most beautiful and the best Indian Ocean album, which truly defines musical genius, with such a powerful line up it has to be. The title track ‘Tandanu’, which features Shankar Mahadevan with his classical vocals, is a musical treat and is also the most popular track of the album. This is the first album without the original members Sushmit Sen and the late Asheem Chakravarthy.
Zindagi Se Darte ho a.k.a Darte Ho:
‘Darte Ho’ was a part of ‘16/330 Khajoor Road’ (2010) Indian Ocean’s sixth studio album. The track was also associated with the satirical movie ‘Peepli Live’ that explores the issue of tragic farmer’s suicides in India. Known for the deep and meaningful lyrics, the song is actually a Pakistani poetry. This is one of the few tracks in which distortion is used in the guitar. The distorted riff does come in as a surprise for Indian Ocean fans.
Des Mera:
Also composed for ‘Peepli Live’ (2010), ‘Des Mera’ is a feel good track with lot of folk elements. Extensive use of the Gabgubi, a rare instrument, along with the Tabla infuses the folk flavour to the track.
The vocal arrangement is something to watch out for here, with most of the song sung in chorus, and the vocalists singing various pieces together towards the end. ‘Des Mera’ featured on the trailer for the movie.
