Times of India Hyderabad is gracious enough to allow common people to attend their annual festival in which they organize live music concerts and plays .
Last time the most I enjoyed was Hans Raj Hans's performance. And this time it was Indian Ocean which is hardly any surprise:)
This was the third gig of Indian Ocean that I attended in Hyderabad and they seem to keep growing on me day by day. I have been listening to them for more than a decade now and it's like I have imprinted to their music in Twilight's terminology. It's very hard to explain this insane liking but it's like a drug to me which takes to a high where you forget everything else. Those two hours can't be counted as humanly hours of my life.
OK, I must admit I am running out of adjectives in praise of Indian Ocean. As if they were not enough on their own, they collaborated with Mohit Chauhan to create this magic called "Maaya". Either they are here to make sound which haunts me or I am here just to worship their music. Either way their music is one of "high" in my very normal life.
Those who know me personally or through my blog are probably aware how crazy I am about music of Indian Ocean. Given that it's more than two months since my last post, it seems nothing else apart from awesome ocean can motivate me to write a post these days.
I have been on high since last few days on their latest song Sone Ki Nagri and kept on talking about it with friends who are not even too much inclinded to music. But, what can I do? This is such an amazing composition that my OCD for music has revived. Already listened to this number for god knows how many times and probably will go on for next few days.
Sone ki Nagri arose out of a collaboration Indian Ocean did with three Rajasthani folk musicians one summer. The guitar play by Susmit is simply mesmerising. Long live the band and let their music keep flowing.
Sone ki nagri ke sau sau hai raja Andhe rajaaon mein kana maharaja
Daku ki rakshaa daroga karey merey bhai Aur gundey malang hain minister ke ghar jamaai Sone ki nagri ke sau sau hai raja
Andhe rajaaon mein kana maharaja Bey sir pair ka tantar hai mere bhai Aur Bandar madari ke asar hain mer bhai
Bhhrashtan ke hum hain aur Bhhrassht hamaare Ek hi thaali ke chatte batte sare Jungal mein mangal ki reet hai mere bhai Aur Kalyug mein kalki sambhalenge naiya hamari.
Note: The band is kind enough to release one song from album Aye Khajoor free every month. It can be downloaded at http://www.indianoceanmusic.com/download-song.php
I am amazed to see how this hard hitting piece of poetry by Noon Meem Rashid can at all be composed and that too in such a energetic way. But, that's Indian Ocean for you. Free flowing, rustic and unadulterated music.
Zindagi se darte ho Zindagi to tum bhi ho Zindagi to hum bhi hain Aadmi se darte ho Aadmi to tum bhi ho Aadmi to hum bhi hain Tum abhi se darte ho
Aadmi zabaan bhi hai Aadmi bayaan bhi hai
Harf aur maani ke rishta haaye aahan se Aadmi hai waabasta Aadmi ke daaman se zindagi hai waabasta Us se tum nahin darte ho
Ankahi se darte ho Jo abhi nahi aayi Us gharri ki aamad ki Aagahi se darte ho Tum abhi se darte ho
Pehle bhi to guzre hain Daur na rassai ke Be-riya khudaai ke Phir bhi yeh samajhte ho Hech aarzumandi Yeh shab e zubaan bandi Hai rah e khudaawandi Tum yehi samajhte ho
Tum mager yeh kya jaano Lab agar nahi hilte Haath jaag uthte hain Haath bol uthte hain Subh ki azaan ban kar
Roshni se darte ho Roshni to tum bhi ho Roshni to hum bhi hain Tum abhi se darte ho
Raah- e- shauq mein jaise rahru ka khoon lapke Ek nayaa junoon lapke Aadmi chhalak uthe Aadmi hanse dekho shaher phir base dekho Tum abhi se darte ho
Translation:
Afraid of Life, are you You too are life We too are life Afraid of Man, are you You too are human We too are human Afraid already are you
Man is speech Man is expression too
To the iron bond Uniting utterance and meaning Man is joined Tied to his sleeves is Life Not afraid of that
Afraid of the unsaid Afraid of the moment That has not yet arrived Afraid of the awareness Of the coming of that moment Afraid already
We have seen the times Before Of inaccessibility Of guileless divinity And yet you believe To desire is worthless This night of silenced tongues Is the path To divinity
How will you know though That if lips don’t move Hands begin to stir Hands begin to call Like the Azan at dawn
Afraid of Light You too are light We too are light Afraid of light
As in the journey of love The traveler’s blood soars A new passion leaps Man boils over Man laughs, look The city is reborn Afraid already
Movie : Peepli Live Music : Indian Ocean Lyrics : Noon Meem Rashid Translated By: Mahmood Farooqui with inputs from SR Faruqi
I have always been in awe of Indian Ocean since I heard them a decade ago. But, two back to back posts about them is very unlike of even me. May be it's the after effect of the live show.
It's very difficult to explain if someone asks me why I like their music so much. Because I don't know. It's like some kind of charm which just possesses me.
They played an yet to be released track "Bula Raha Hai" in the show and it's sheer magic. This is a redording from last year concert when Asheem was there.
Indian Ocean Performed Live At Hard Rock Cafe Hyderabad
I wonder how music, art or sports can elevate normal people in flesh and bones to appear as godly. As if they have been handpicked by god and gifted the talent to come down to this earth, perform and make people's life a little exciting.
Indian Ocean performed live at Hard Rock Cafe Hyderabad yesterday. Despite HRC's sincere effort to pack every inch of space and suffocate people to death, it was awesome experience to witness them playing live. Every single drop of sweat was worth it. Their unique sound, intensity, stage presence and the little jugalbandi within the song make the live performance mesmerising.
They started with "Bandeh" and ended with "Kandisha". I don't understand why people just keep on asking to play Kandisha. Agreed that it's one of their best but I think it's disrespectful to them to ask always about one song as if they haven't done anything better. I personally rate "Khajuraho", "Bhor" and "Nam Myo Ho" much higher and to my disappointment they didn't play any of them. Anyway Khajuraho will remain soulless and incomplete if played without Asheem's rendition of sloka with his heavy voice. Those who have witnessed Asheem playing tabla and singing simultaneously will always sense a void.
Given that I haven't not liked a single of their song till date, it's hard to pick few numbers during the show. Still, I will go with Boll Weevil, Ma Rewa, Leaving Home, Bula Raha Hai (yet to be released) and Jhini.
It feels sad to come down to reality from the alien euphoric world they take you to. But, there will be always next time and I wish it won't be too long.
I am deeply pained to know that Asheem Chakravarty, the lead percussionist and singer of Indian Ocean band is no more. He was one of those rare percussionists who could sing while playing the tabla. Most of the compositions by Indian Ocean have minimal vocals but Asheem and Rahul give soul to them and you can feel the words coming straight out from the heart.
I was fortunate to attend one of their concert in Hyderabad and I can vouch that no band or singer even comes a distant close to their live performance and on stage presence. Khajuraho is my favorite song and every time I will listen to it, Asheem playing the tabla, will flash in front of my eyes.
Indina Ocean will not be the same anymore and you will be missed Asheem.
The one music band I am in awe of is 'Indian Ocean'. I just can't stop listening to them and talking about them with anyone and everyone whenever I get the slightest of chance. When I was in college (REC Rourkela then, now NIT Rourkela), Varun (my immediate neighbor in hostel) gave me the album 'Kandisha' saying it's something dedicated to Indian rivers.
Some events just stay in your memory forever and I can still visualize that evening as I am writing this. It was that day when I was introduced to the amazing world of Indian Ocean. Words fail me to praise them enough. You won't find such original and free flowing music anywhere.
Anyone who has listened the background score of movie 'Black Friday' will think if these guys don't deserve a Golden Globe or Oscar then who else. Anyway many other things work in the nomination and it's loss of these awards that they are missing the name 'Indian Ocean' from their list. I like them all but here are few of my favorites.
Check out this haunting number from "Indian Ocean" band. More than the lyrics, it's the singing and composition which makes it one of my all time favourite. The song gradually picks up and you will just get hooked up to the awesome guitar play. Unfortunately no video available for this song but found an extract on youtube which will give some idea about this song. Enjoy!!
Update: Thanks to Deep who uploaded the song in YouTube.
Bhor bhor bhor bhai ek udta panchi Ja baitha ek daal, ja baitha ek dal Khusboo daal ki manhar le, gayee manhar le gayee Khusboo daal ki manhar le gayee gajab tha rang jama
Saans saans chadhe ishq ka jadoo, ishq ka jadoo Saans saans chadhe ishq ka jadoo reh reh kare kamal
Saans saans chadhe ishq ka jadoo reh reh kare kamal Are Saans saans chadhe ishq ka jadoo reh reh kare kamal Saans saans chadhe ishq ka jadoo reh reh kare kamal
Kaun ghadi mein..
Are chuni daal thi chuni daal thi chuni daal thi
Kaun ghadi mein chuni daal thi, chuni daal thi koshe sudh budh har
Bhor bhor bhor bhai ek udta panchi Ja baitha ek daal, ja baitha ek dal Bhor bhor bhor bhai ek udta panchi Ja baitha ek daal, ja baitha ek dal
Panchhi kahe kis gagan udu mein, gagan udu mein
gagan udu, gagan usu, kis gagan udu mein
Panchhi kahe kis gagan udu mein behtar jo is daal Panchhi kahe kis gagan udu mein behtar jo is daal
Pankh sunehriii...
Sehad chadh gaya Sehad chadh gaya Sehad chadh gaya
Pankh sunehri sehad chadh gaya Pankh sunehri sehad chadh gaya Pankh sunehri sehad chadh gaya
Antar tham gayee chal
Bhor bhor bhor bhai ek udta panchi Ja baitha ek daal, ja baitha ek dal Bhor bhor bhor bhai ek udta panchi Ja baitha ek daal, ja baitha ek dal
Qatal bhi aisa hua ke panchhi marke malamal Qatal bhi aisa hua ke panchhi marke malamal Malamal hua aisa qatal bhi hua Qatal bhi aisa hua ke panchhi marke malamal Katra katra aasman hai bujhi asal udan
There are very few songs which I can listen to anytime.These songs just take me to some other world.The song 'Khajuraho' by Indian Ocean is one of them.
This song is musical celebration of life, of sensuality, of procreation, of recreation, of exuberance...flowing into eternity!!!
