Author : Aarohi Agarwal
Despite the constant evolution in the music industry, one thing that listeners can never get is Bengali Rock Music. Bengalis were always hooked into the musical diet of Rabindrasangeet, Nazrul Geeti, and songs by RD Burman, Manna Dey, and many others. Amid these, Kolkata witnessed a new music scene rising with distorted melodies and that is how Bengali Rock Music took birth. Mohiner Ghoraguli is considered the pioneer of the rock scene as the band literally embarked on the rock journey for all the other rock bands and musical groups in the coming days.
The rock journey that started around the ‘70s is still continuing with many other bands emerging. However, there is no denying that some bands always stay on the hot chart when it comes to the top 10 bands. With the ups and downs, the Bengali music scene might have changed a lot with the audience being overly obsessed with the film music and other musical works in web series. Let’s take a better look at the top 5 Bengali Rock Bands that offered listeners timeless powerful numbers.
1. Mohiner Ghoraguli
As mentioned before, Mohiner Ghoraguli is the greatest pioneer of the Bengali rock scene and first made the audience realize that with their album ‘Ajaana UDonto bostu ba Aw-Oo-Baw.’ The leading track from this album, ‘Sono Sudhijon’ took over the music scene in 1978 and its popularity spread all over the state as well as the country. It is also considered similar to the urban folk movement led by Bob Dylan in the ‘60s.
With Gautam Chattopadhyay’s encouragement and a group of highly talented music artists; Mohin Magic did not take much time to win millions of hearts. Their other albums like ‘Shangbigno Pakhikul O Kolkata Bishayak (1977)’ and ‘Drishyomaan Moheener Ghoraguli (1979)’ are the greatest examples of their united musical effort and songs are even taught in musical schools as they are like anthems. Mohiner Ghoraguli created not only songs but philosophical pieces that talk about poverty, injustice, revolution, love, loneliness, begging, and many other aspects of life which are known as ‘Jibonmukhi’ songs.
Though it was disbanded soon, it made a comeback with the album ‘Aabaar Bochor Kuri Pore (1995)’ which was released as a part of “Moheener Ghoraguli Shompadito Bangla Gaan” by a group of music artists from various groups. ‘Maya’ in 1998 is also one of the timeless creations. With all these musical contributions, social and cultural movements, as well as actively raising voice for the common people; Mohiner Ghoraguli stays eternally in every Bengali’s heart and playlist.
2. Krosswindz
It is one of the earlier rock/folk fusion bands in Bengal that helped urbanize folk music with a twist in the musical approach. The band was established back in 1990 and soon it took over the Bengali Music Scene. It is also one of the fewest rock bands in India that featured female lead vocals in their music. Vikramjit Banerjee and Chandrani Banerjee were the main members of the band along with many other musicians participating in various projects. The band has worked with many internationally acclaimed names like Herbie Hancock, Sky High, Tizian Jost, and many others around the world.
Their first rock album ‘Poth Gechhe Benke’ created a huge buzz in the industry and established their presence in the Bangla rock in Kolkata’s live music circuit. For their immense dedication and fusion styles of folk-rock, the band has been nominated for the Just Plain Folks 2009 Music Awards in Nashville. Some of their musical works like, ‘Jhiko jhiko’, ‘Dhoan’, ‘Phire Dekha’, etc are still close to Bengali listeners.
3. Cactus
When it comes to the rock scene in Bengal, the Cactus will always be on the top for blooming its flowers. This band was established back in 1992 and since then, the band has brought experimentation to the rock scene. Inspired by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, and many others; this band was able to introduce the flavors of blues and psychedelic rock through their music.
While Bengali listeners could enjoy psychedelia for the first time through the songs like ‘Brishti, oooh Ma!’, ‘Icchamati’, etc; ‘Halud Pakhi’ remains to be that timeless creation that took to listeners back to their childhood, drenched in nostalgia. Each of their album like Cactus (1999), Nil Nirjane (2002), Rajar Raja (2004), Tuccho (2008), Blah Blah Blah (2013), etc helped take the Bengali rock scene forward.
In the 2000s, when Bengali Rock Scene was boiling, Siddhartha Ray or better known as Sidhu, the lead singer of the band said, “We hosted the Band-e-Mataram competition from 2005-2007. As far as the eye could see, there were long-haired, young boys with guitars on their shoulders. The venue was flooded!”
4. Fossils
Just like its name suggests, this band dug up all the flavors of rock, hard rock, and blues with the influence of the lead singer and main man behind the band, Rupam Islam. Established in the late ‘90s, this band is well revered for enhancing the rock acts in Kolkata while inspiring other bands and music artists to participate and collaborate. Comprised with power, agitation, rebellion, love, depression, loneliness, and many other feelings; the band soon becomes the voice of the youth.
The debut album by the band ‘Fossils 1’ was released back in 2002 but the tracks inside the album are still buzzing in the playlists today After two long decades. Songs like, ‘Aro Ekbar’, ‘Ekla Ghor’, ‘Hasnuhana’, etc are youth anthems that are played again and again by many other artists. The following albums like Fossils 2 in 2004, Mission F in 2006, and Fossils 3 in 2009; of them offered listeners a handful of Bengali rock tracks that resonated with the mass audience and the youth. Rupam Islam is also famous for its charity events and advocacy for the welfare of HIV-positive people.
5. Lakkhichhara
Formed in 1999, this band originally started by playing at college fests, pubs, and other concerts. Later on, in 2001, they recorded their first-ever album Megh Mallar (2001). This album quickly captivated the band and music lovers in Kolkata with the tracks like “Care Kori Na”, Shudhu Chai Tomay”, “Kemon Acho Shohor”, etc many others. Their second studio album was Jibon chaichhe aro besi which dropped in 2003. The leading namesake track “Jibon Chaichhe Aro Besi” was a huge hit. The band has consistently released two other highly anticipated musical projects namely Eka in 2005 and Bisesh Bisesh Ongsho Birotir Por in 2009.
Rajiv Mitra, Bodisatwa Ghosh, John Paul, Sanket Bhattacharya, Debaditya Chaudhury, and others were the members of the band along with Gaurab Chatterjee as the drummer, the son of Gautam Chattopadhyay. It does not require to say, that Lakkhichhara has offered some of the most exciting and mischievous rock tracks just like its name.
Wrapping Up
Bengali Rock Music Scene witnessed its peak in the ‘70s to ‘90s and with its inspiration, the wave of rock scene also came followed by some powerful bands like Eeshan, Prithibi, Alienz, and many others. Whether it is the college students or an office goer, the alternative and progressive flavors of Bengali rock music prevail widely among all. However, the rock scene in Bengal is not prospering very well now. However, with many emerging bands in the industry; perhaps the golden days of Bengali rock music will be back again!
