Indian Ocean’s Kandisa

Indian Ocean are a genre by themselves. A style of their own, and an outlook to life as beautiful as their music. Kandisa would be their first studio album, but their third release to hit the shelves. It uses traditional literary works and infused them with new life. 

Kya Maloom, opens up with a typical Jazz-fusion like drum intro. Rahul Ram’s Entwistle style bass work is fabulous and is in good company with Susmit’s wizardry. The instrument work on this number is so good that the vocals are almost overlooked after the first half of the song is through.  

Ma Rewa, is based on a shloka describing the Narmada river which orginates from the Amarkant peak. The Puranas describe the river as flowing from Lord Shiva’s body and hence is considered sacred. Susmit opens the track with Asheem close behind his tail. The slashing intro is interrupted by an innocent tune around which Susmit revolves throughout the song. Ram and Asheem alternate their vocals, punctuated by Susmit’s acoustic playing. Susmit also takes off on a lengthy solo, with Ram occasionally joining in, matching him note for note. Amit is present almost evenly on the track. Using the ‘khamak’ before making sure his presence felt on the drums as well.

Leaving Home is a largely instrumental track. The initial strumming has a very cheerful feel to it. Asheem’s tight tabla work really grows on you on this track.

Hille Re is a poem in Bhojpuri by Bihari poet Gorukh Pande. The intro is almost like a tribal calling. Written at a time when India was under the colonial rule, the poem calls for a democratic rising of the people against any sort of oppression. Indian Ocean have managed to give a modern edge to the patriotic theme of the poem, thus making it more accessible to today’s youth, who are far removed from the sacrifice of the freedom fighters. The song has been presented in a fairly light manner. 

Khajuraho, the fourth track derives its name from the temple city of the same name. There has been extensive use of chanting like backing vocals which may not hold everyone’s interest for long. The highlight of the track would be the minute and a half climax. One has to appreciate Asheem again for his dual duties on the tabla and behind the microphone. 
The lyrics to Kaun have been written by Indira Kilam, drummer Amit’s mother. Fused with elements of sufi music the track is symbolic of the band’s diversity. The song has a very intoxicating feel to it. Susmit in particular is brilliant on this number. 

The title track is an adaptation of a prayer in Aramaic. It is one of the band’s most popular numbers and rightly so. The hymn completely fills the atmosphere beautifully giving a choir like effect. Amit’s simple but effective approach to drumming works well here. A proverbial case of music transcending the language barrier. 

Kandisa is a must have for any Indian Ocean fan and an excellent introduction to someone new to their music. It is quite possibly one of the best albums released by an Indian band, clearly a result of experienced musicians with extremely creative minds at work.