Gar Ho Sake to Ab Koi Shamma Jalaiye: Indian Ocean ft. Shubha Mudgal

हो गई है पीर पर्वत-सी पिघलनी चाहिए,
इस हिमालय से कोई गंगा निकलनी चाहिए।

-दुष्यंत कुमार

My ears, heart and soul share a relationship with the music of Indian Ocean, which is immensely deep and energizing. Every time I play a song of theirs, something in it reaches into the deep dark well, which is my consciousness, and pulls out wispy strands of glowing light. I can't but help hit the re-play button, again.The fathomless depth, the soul-stirring rhythm, the poetic selection of lyrics, the mature political consciousness, and the fantastic fusion of energy and harmony- there is nothing in Indian Ocean's music which doesn't elevate you to be a better version of yourself...

 
(The full song Gar Ho Sake)

  One of the many priceless songs the band can boast of is Gar Ho Sake, which courses thick and hot through you, as if it was your very own blood thawing. You can feel a straightforward, pulsating, metallic energy of this Hindustani-metal rock fusion which robs you of your beloved apathy and political lethargy. It is a song which has powerful lyrics, but speaks through its invigorating rhythm which beats down on your conscience and compels you to do its bidding.

 
(The making of Gar Ho Sake)

It is a song of protest and resistance. It is impossible to resist being swept off by Shubha Mudgal's deep voice when she sings,

ये जंग है...
इस जंग में ...
ताकत लगाइये...

and the chorus follows her up. One is transformed the moment one sings alone, and one naturally feels one wants to. The dead MUST walk! One wants to act upon-

गर हो सके तो अब कोई शम्मा जलाइए
इस दौरे सियासत का अँधेरा मिटाइये 

The band doesn't spell out that they are pointing fingers at any particular party or endorsing any other. But like true artists, their mission is lighting up the candle of love, courage and resistance. It is a devouring flame which consumes hatred and speaks steadfast against injustice-

नफरत फैला रहे हैं ये मज़हब के नाम पर
सत्ता के भूखे लोगो से मज़हब बचाइए

Rings true in today's world of communal, divide-and-rule democracy, ain't it? Keep resisting. Keep singing.