The Magicians

A few phone calls, a delayed flight and after searching around the D.Y.Patil college grounds in Nerul, I finally spotted Amit Kilam (Drums) on stage. The Band had just arrived from Delhi for the performance, the sound check had been delayed, the scene was typical of any college fest – organized chaos. Looking slightly knackered and a bit bored after the long Delhi – Mumbai flight and a further hour or more by road, he walks over and says ‘Hello..’ seemingly quite relieved at my arrival. Rahul Ram (Bass guitar) and Susmit (Guitar) are nowhere in sight, when asked he says “Oh it would be difficult for all three of us to do an interview together during a show, sorry.” Apologies accepted.

Indian Ocean just finished their seventh tour of the US, spread over 45 days and 11 venues including the Jesuit High in New Orleans, a stage where Elvis Presley and Pink Floyd have performed! “Ours was the first show on that stage after hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, it was submerged under water but thankfully they managed to restore it back to how it used to be” he tells me. They also played at the famous Ashkenaz, a world and folk music venue in Berkeley, California.

Having often visited the US over the years, they have plenty of friends there who helped them organize shows and make merry off stage! “It’s almost like our second home, Rahul has studied there for three years, me and Susmit have got a few friends too, so now we have two bases – New Delhi and New York!” Amit quips coolly. The tour was a success, something they must probably be used to by now, seventh tour of the US, remember? Although, Amit feels this one was the best “Because in terms of performances I thought we were better than on previous occasions, the venues were good and the tour on the whole was a breeze!”

Asheem Chakravarty: Percussions & Vocals

However, the breeze turned into a dark storm for the men from Delhi and all their loyalists around the world. Band Percussionist, the man whose sonorous voice sounded like it emanated from the center of planet earth and darling of Indian Ocean, Asheem Chakravarty suffered a heart attack in Doha while the band were on their way back from the tour. He was hospitalized in a comatose state. The prayers, wherever they came from surely were heard when he managed to come out of coma, but, the joy was short lived. Nearly two months after the attack, it was Black Friday indeed. On the 25^th of December 2009, Asheem Chakravarty passed away. Christmas will never be the same again for the band and its legion of fans.

Amit Kilam: Drums

Asheem was multitalented in every sense of the word, so much so that the band may ultimately need two members to fill in for him. His ability to play the Tabla and sing along made him one of a kind, which makes it tougher for them to find a like for like replacement. “We are now officially on the lookout for a new member or maybe two” Amit informs. It looks like the band wants to focus on its future now; perhaps Asheem may have wanted that too. After all, it was him and Susmit Sen who founded Indian Ocean and ensured they stuck around until they hit upon the right line up, which upto the 25^th of December 2009 was – Amit Kilam, Rahul Ram, Susmit Sen and Asheem Chakravarty. It shall remain that way for generations to come, their work together has been immortalized by the numerous songs they’ve composed and the cornucopia of emotions they managed to evoke throughout the journey. Rest in peace, Asheem da. You will be missed.

“Everything happens for a reason, probably something else might evolve out of this disaster” Amit adds optimistically. They now have percussionist Gyan Singh filling in on the Tabla and singer Sudhir on vocals. This arrangement however is likely to be temporary, Indian Ocean hope to find a permanent member. They are prepared to wait for the right person to come along though. “If we find a suitable replacement now, its obviously good, otherwise probably in the next six months” he says.

Rahul Ram: Bass Guitar

Songs for their long awaited album have been ready for a while and they hope to release the album by March 2010. “What will be appearing on the album are songs that we have been playing over the last couple of years or so, a few of the songs had been leased out to films but we retain their rights.” Indian Ocean songs have been part of many a film that haven’t managed to see the light of the day “That’s the way it works in Bollywood I guess, Aaj hain toh kal nahin hain” says Amit. Not that he’s rueful about it “Its lucky in a way, this means they are first heard on our album rather than in a movie and also thanks to these movies, a lot of work has happened in the last two or three years”. As we discuss about the album, he reminds me of another important fact “Asheem is very much a part of it! Most of his work in the recent past might feature on this album.”

Numbers will make a difference for Indian Ocean, they hope to generate more hits on their website through active marketing and of course by using their live shows as a platform to attract a sponsor who can fund the production cost of this album. “It won’t matter too much if we don’t manage that, we’ll still release the album anyway. However, it helps when we get support from the fans, media, etc. and perhaps it might interest someone.” Each month, one song from the upcoming album will be made available for free download through their website, a truly unique marketing strategy designed to suit their needs. “Seven months, seven songs by the end of which we’ll release a special CD with a few extra songs or maybe different versions and videos too.” says Amit. They will only be making 10,000 copies of this premium CD which will also be signed by the band members. That number is miniscule when you consider the 5 lakh copies their previous album Kandisa sold. “Ultimately most of the people will hear these songs for free which for us is not a problem at all, whomever wants to buy the albums and support us can do that too!” he adds.

Susmit Sen: Guitar

Indian Ocean has also provided music for an Aamir Khan produced movie called ‘Peepli Live’ and no, this movie won’t be shelved. It is ready and is a satirical take on rural life in India. “The song ‘Darte ho’ from this movie was the final song recorded by the original line up” says Amit, with a hint of nostalgia in his voice. They were one of the first bands to be approached by Bollywood way back in 2003 when Anurag Kashyap wanted songs for his movie Black Friday and now Amit feels that Bollywood is certainly more receptive to new music “There is no monopoly now, new composers have come in and more bands are doing music too! All of which means there certainly is a change.” So maybe a KJO movie in future then? “Why not?! We’re open to anything too!”

They plan to tour the US twice next year. “In the US we will be playing at the world famous Carnegie Hall this time, so fingers crossed. We’re hoping for a good tour!” There have been a few complaints from their Indian fan base though, as people feel Indian Ocean play more abroad than in India. That accusation is brushed off “It might seem that way but we do play a lot more in India, in fact we plan to do a tour within India after the album is launched. We’ll probably play in 8 to 10 cities around the country.”

The band and Amit have simultaneously managed to finish the sound check during the course of our conversation. They’re a jolly bunch back stage, interacting enthusiastically with a few old friends, while also clicking pictures and signing autographs with their fans. As the sun sets, lights go on, the crowd

I got Lucky. I caught them LIVE !

On the 20^th of January, DY Patil College Nerul played host to renowned fusion band Indian Ocean who in prime form headlined the final day of the three day annual fest, playing to a relatively large crowd, their fourth time around at this prestigious university. Heavily publicized, this was also notably the first show since the passing of percussionist, vocalist and all around remarkable performer, the beloved Asheem Chakravarty. Nonetheless after the demise of the iconic singer, questions were visibly raised whether the band would be able to continue. All these questions were undoubtedly laid to rest as soon as the band stepped on stage to the deafening applause of students and fans that had waited eagerly for hours to witness this prolific band at work.

Indian Ocean - live in action

Clearly an emotional performance for the band, the crowd reveled in their poignancy as they dealt with the grief with what they do best, performing a string of songs which may be safely described as classics. The mood was however anything but somber as the band decided to forgo the clichéd mourning instead celebrating the life of its founding member, playing one exemplary song after another.

“They managed to move the audience in completely different ways, some to their feet; while others more affectingly to tears.”

Those lucky to be in attendance were able to witness first hand two unreleased songs ‘Baundhu’ dedicated to Asheem Da and ‘Zindagi se darte ho’ soon to be featured in an Aamir Khan production. By the time ‘Bandeh’ came up, even the most cynical of observers were swept up by the natural charisma of the group.

The original three members appeared in great form filled with passion and fervor playing Ma Rewa, Jhini, Hille Re giving the attitude of a jam session, the band feeding of each other’s energy, demonstrating the technical prowess they have come to be known for. Jugalbandi saw the utilization of eclectic instrumentation especially in the form of a ‘gabgubi’ by drummer Amit Kilam.

Ending the show on a high note with the ever popular ‘Kandisa’, the band although restricted to a short span of time, managed to move the audience in completely different ways, some to their feet while others more affectingly to tears.

• Shaleen Sharma on drums and Indrajit Dutta & Anirban Roy on bass, were a part of Indian Ocean before the band arrived at its final line up
• Kandisa, released in March 2000, went on to acquire cult status, becoming one of the most important, best-loved albums of contemporary Indian music
• Jhini, won the AVMax Award for the best produced album of 2003
• Desert Rain was a landmark album for its time and today, almost a decade later, still continues to sell. In 2006, it was no. 2 on the iTunes UK world music charts.
• Jaideep Varma of Cartwheel Features has directed a movie called ‘Leaving Home’ which is based on the life and music of Indian Ocean. The film is expected to be released in mid 2010

Article by Vignesh Iyer & Shikher Chaudhary
Images Courtesy: Indian Ocean

Alternative was cool. At that time we didn’t know that alternative isn’t quite alternative. That alternative fed off the mainstream. That alternative existed because mainstream required it to. That was the time when I discovered Indian Ocean. They played live at the Ramjas College grounds, in 2001 if I remember correctly, at a concert sponsored by British Council and I listened to their rendition of Gorakh Pandey’s Hille Re and folksy Maa Rewa. These two songs then meant the world for me. Poetry of resistance set to alchemy of earthy sounds. The following years were spent chasing Indian Ocean across Delhi. Somewhere during these years the dreamer, the rebel, the volunteer inside me died. But my fascination with Indian Ocean didn’t. I’d still go to their concerts and see familiar faces in the crowd. We’d not really know each other but we’d give each other a nod of recognition when our eyes met. Though the meaning of some of their songs eluded us, for they borrow material freely from as diverse traditions as Kabir and Syrian Christian hymns in Aramaic, we’d sing along at the top of our voices. Together, it was a community cemented by our passion for Indian Ocean’s music.

"Rahul is the face of Indian Ocean. Sumit, the blood and Amit, bones." And Asheem, I asked? "He's the soul saale!"

Indian Ocean is a different band in that it loves to perform live and connect with the audience. The energy levels of their performances are directly related to that of the crowd. Seeing us losing our heads they’d improvise and pull off some really mind blowing sessions. Amit would come out with his gubgubi and jam with Rahul, or Asheem would get up and use Rahul’s guitar as if it was a percussion instrument. Once during a concert at Hamsdhwani at Pragati Maidan, Asheem even invited Shubha Mudgal up on the stage for an impromptu jam session. A song would never sound the same ever in their concerts. They’d introduce a new instrument; infuse new lyrics (Aara hile, Chhapra hile, Baliya Hile lag; Dilli ki saari sundariyaan hile to saara jagat hile lag) and just go with the flow. Their banter in between the songs just added to the experience. A friend whom I was trying to initiate into the music of Indian Ocean once said that he could sense ‘homoerotic tension between the four members. They’re playing as if they’re making love!’

We were/are all Indian Ocean junkies. I and some of my closest friends used to kick start all our drinking sessions with their music. Songs from Desert Rain, Kandisa and Jhini were put on loop and would play till the wee hours. We couldn’t really bring ourselves to like Black Friday soundtrack somehow, perhaps because we’d associated a different imagery with its music. That of the film.

I heard them live earlier this year in Mumbai and the performance was awful. They were playing to the top executives of the Indian automobile industry at the Autocar Awards ceremony. They looked quite out of place. As soon as they took on the stage a lot people got up and headed towards the bar. Those who stayed apparently couldn’t really connect to the music. I walked up to the stage, stood right in front of it, and sang along for old time’s sake. I remember Asheem smiling at me. I’d like to believe that he recognized the crazed out fan from Delhi. Perhaps.

Last night I got a message from a friend informing me of Asheem’s death. I reached home late and longed to hear Asheem’s massive voice, especially in the title track on Jhini. Since I have just shifted into a new place I couldn’t locate the disc. But, while I was going to sleep I remembered an exchange that I had with another friend years ago after getting sufficiently drunk.  He said, ‘Rahul is the face of India Ocean. Susmit, the blood and Amit, bones.’ And Asheem, I asked? ‘He’s the soul saale!’

Article by Faiz Ullah