Indian Ocean ropes in contemporary musicians for new album

Issues like displacement and political awakening are issues that occupy centre stage in Indo-rock fusion band Indian Ocean's new album 'Tandanu'.
The seventh studio album of Indian Ocean, touted as one of the most ambitious projects of the band so far reflects on the political tumult in the country.
"Our new album has a fair amount of social messages. As musicians we cannot be cut off from the times we live in or even be blind to social environment," Amit Kilam, band's drummer told PTI in an interview.
The first track of the album released last Saturday is the band's collaboration with Hindustani Classical singer Shubha Mudgal titled 'Gar Ho Sake'.

The song highlights issues of communalism and divisive politics which have dominated the political discourse in the country with the poll process underway.
"Nafrat faila rahe hain ye mazhab ke naam pa, satta ke bhookhe logon se mazhab bachaiye (They are spreading hatred in the name of sects. Save the country from power-mongers)" reads the lyrics of 'Garv Ho Sake'.

The band, which has become synonymous with being the voice of contemporary music in India, has roped in renowned musicians as collaborators for the seven songs in the new album .
Collaborators include classical to contemporary musicians including Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Vishal Dadlani, Selva Ganesh, Karsh Kale, Shankar Mahadevan, Shubha Mudgal and Kumaresh Rajagopalan.

Although the album comprises tracks imbued with social messages, the idea to make music of social significance was not the first thing on their mind at the time of composing music.
"For us the composition comes first, it is of paramount importance and later when lyrics are added, everybody interprets it differently. Once the piece is complete, we try and rope in the lyrics reflecting the times," says Kilam.