Indian Ocean, NO, I am not here to talk about the geography of this
planet earth, but about this band. from the name it seems just another
rock band in the town. I don’t know about you all, but that’s what was my
view of them until I came across the first album (which was in fact
their third album), ’’Kandisa’’. It has 7 tracks and I must admit, once you
listen to them, you’ll get addicted to them. At least to 4 songs if not
all. So lets start with the first song of the album.
- Kya Maloom - I dont know why this song has been named so,
probably even they could not find anything suitable so they said ’’Kya
Maloom’’. Excellent music and lovely guitar in this one. A
couple of shlokas majestically open the this track. Ita a reflection on
the Lord of Dance Shiva ruminating after the tandava.
- Me Rewa - An utterly beautiful track, based on a traditional
hymn about the Narmada river. The guitar work is superb, conveying the
feeling of a river flowing peacefully, not knowing what travails its to
face.
- Leaving Home - Its a beautiful mix of the guitar and the
tabla. You can almost feel the melodious harmony. Mostly instrumental, this
track catches their versatile and adroit fingers on their instruments.
Overall its a lovely track.
- Hille Re - At frist when I listened to this song, I didnt
like it much, but slowly and gradually I changed. As it is correctly said
’’The only thing constant in life is Change. So I searched
the net for what this song is all about, but that was not of much use.
i came to know that this track is based on a poem by revolutionary
Bihari poet Gorakh Pandey, and an old favorite of JNU dharna-bums. The song
kicks in with a punchy almost African-sounding combination of pre
vocals and catchy rhythm.
- Khajuraho - Invoking the Hindu trinity is part of this
mellifluous rendition. The track prompts you to conduct a reality check
within world of maya. The interesting thing is, because often you don’t know
the language the lyrics are in, the focus on the music is total. But
somehow its somewhat difficult to find that magic in this song that is
there in the others.
- Kaun - Kaun, the track with a distinct sufi touch and rhythm,
has excellent lyrics and vocals. Shut your eyes and seek Moksha,
it actually gives you food for introspection. The lyrics of this one
are majorly in Hindi (for a change).
- Kandisa - A fitting finale to this alum is its title track.
Kandisa is based on a Syrian Catholic hymn which is a
1, 000 year old Aramic prayer sung in Aramic, a language that Jesus spoke.
Performed marvelously, it gets deep inside the very depths of one’s
soul. Amit Kilam on the drums in this one is fantastic!
By the way, Kandisa means Praise and I guess
there could not have been a more perfect title for this album. The
lyrics of the title track are given here. I got them after a long search.
Kandisa Alahaye Kandisa Esana Aalam Balam Aalam, Amenu Aamen,
Sliha Mar Yose, Almaduba Kudisa, Aangen Dhanusa Nehave Dukharana, Kandia
Alaha Kandisa Esana Kandisa La Ma Yosa Isaraha Malem.
Indian Ocean, the band comprises of four Delhi based equally talented
musicians, plays what they describe themselves as ’’Earthy, Fluent and
Free music’’. A jazz rock band with tabla. Kandisa is their
third album and now even their fourth album is out. its called
’’Jhinni’’. I have not yet had a chance to listen to that yet
because the place where I live, is somewhat not aware of this type of music.
I have somehow got Kandisa, but I don’t see any chance of
getting Jhinni in the near future. This album is a must have for all
the music lovers. If you want to listen something lively, then get you
own copy of this album.
You might have problems understanding the lyrics at first, but you can
refer to various sites for the https://lyrics.