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Making waves

The band Indian Ocean fuses diverse genres to strike a distinct note

PHOTO: SHANKER CHAKRAVARTY

FUN WITH FUSION Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean will perform on November 12, 7.15 p.m. at The Music Academy

As television bombards us with images of frothy entertainment and light-headed entertainers, and reality shows change our concept of success, reality checks are offered by groups like Indian Ocean. Popular with audiences today, with briskly selling albums, the foursome does not belong to the generation of instant fame. When vocalist Rahul Ram states that they have a lot of fun making music, you have to believe it, otherwise what would explain their undimmed enthusiasm over the first five years of existence as a band, when they are reputed to have presented just four concerts?

Indian Ocean came into being in 1990 as a result of the collaboration between acoustic guitar player Susmit Sen and tabla player and percussionist Asheem Chakravarty. Teaming up with drummer Shaleen Sharma and later with bass guitarist Rahul Ram in 1991, they went on to produce their first album, brought out by HMV. In 1994, Amit Kilam, then in college, joined the group as a drummer in place of Shaleen. Vocals were added to the compositions, and in the range of fusion, the band's identity was shaped.

Indian Ocean started making waves from the eve of 1998, when the group played before a rapturous crowd at New Delhi's Mandi House, the city's most happening locale for the performing arts. An album, "Desert Rain", was later made of the live recording of this show. "Kandisa" was the next album, brought out in 2000. The title song, based on a Syrian Christian devotional song, remains a big hit. Then came "Jhini" in 2003.

Apart from incorporating a range of musical influences in their songs, from Indian rhythmic concepts to folk music, jazz, rock and reggae, and an uninhibited use of different languages, the band members have, individually and in combination, performed with a number of eminent musicians known for their contribution to world music. These include violin wizard L. Subramaniam, ghatam maestro Vikku Vinayakram, American folk singer Pete Seeger, Japanese trumpeter Terumasa Hino and others.

Rahul Ram

`Nothing can replace the

power of a good voice'

Has growing technology been all good for the music industry?

I think it has lowered some musicians' ability to play. I attended an Ilaiyaraja recording when I was 15. He had a 15-member orchestra and two tracks. Everyone had to be perfect. Now you can do take after take and choose the one you want. On the other hand, it has democratised music. I can sit with a PC in my house making music. Also music-listening. Also, there is a lot of growth in local music, which otherwise could have been heard only live. (But) I think 95 per cent of music produced is bad.

What makes good music?

You need to be passionate. Have a certain level of technical competence. But nothing can replace the power of a good voice.

Is it possible to define fusion music?

No. To me Hindi film music is (also) fusion. There are sounds from all over the world but, the minute you hear it, you know it is Hindi film music.

But Indian film music also confuses inspiration with plagiarism.

What is the harm in giving credit? Why should you claim it is yours? Either they don't have ideas or they don't have honesty. I think if you must get inspired, at least you have to give the credit!

What do you plan to present in Chennai?

We will do our normal, natural concert. But we would also like to play some of the (softer) songs we don't normally get to play in the colleges.

Presenting sponsor: Geojit Financial Services Ltd.

Associate sponsors: Bose, Kingfisher Airlines, RmKV, AVT Premium

Hospitality sponsor: Taj Connemara

Event manager: Show Space

For tickets

Season tickets: Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 1,500. Daily tickets: Rs. 500, Rs. 300 and Rs. 100. Available at Landmark (Nungambakkam, Spencer Plaza, Citi Center). To book online: log on to www.thehindu.com/novemberfest

ANJANA RAJAN

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