EUPHORIA:Here’s to the Dreamers & Music Makers
In life, music occupies that place of unutterable fulfilment which just words cannot express. But, when words and storytelling interlace themselves with the power of music, the experience shoots to a new level of experience. And, when a man trained to heal embarks upon this journey, there is bound to be constant and unending ‘’euphoria’’.
To be valid and vitally so, today, after initially hitting the music scene in 1998, speaks volumes of the calibre, dedication, and passion of Palash Sen and his band of merry men that make up the Indie rock group ‘’Euphoria’’. As one listens to them while they strum the chords of their heart and tell immaculate stories, our somewhat strained spirits in these distressing times are soothed
The founder of the group is Dr. Palash Sen. His parents are both doctors too; interestingly, he hails from a family of “Rajvaidyas’’ and actually is the 17th generation physician of his family.He was active in THEATRE & SINGING, right from his school days in St Columbus, Delhi. He studied medicine at the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, New Delhi. Only if one fulfils the exacting demands of medicine and exceptionally takes in stride the discipline’s rigors is the MBBS degree conferred-- the young doctor passed this test. But, the truth of Thoreau’s words that “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however, measured or far away” throw light on what happened next. A chance meeting with DJ Bhaduri and an instant connection of energies resulted in ‘ Euphoria’ being formed. The duo has been working together ever since, and Palash regards DJ as the backbone of the band.
Euphoria's first release in 1998, 'Dhoom Pichuck Dhoom,' was a major commercial hit and received rave reviews; along with"Maeri" in 2000, the band’s whimsical music videos depicting stories of the heart and phenomenal musical scores made them hugely successful. Overnight, they became the biggest Indian band, with five successful studio albums and 17 music videos, television shows like MTV, FameX, NDTV, collaborated with other composers/musicians.
The rather good looking doctor -turned-rockstar, Palash Sen made a Bollywood debut with “Filhaal’ (2001) directed by Meghna Gulzar and also appeared in the "And It Rained" segment of the anthology film,” Mumbai Cutting”. However, his deep roots in music and commitment to his band surpassed any other distraction, even if it was Bollywood. He says “I’m a performer, and my life is all about getting on stage and rocking it in front of a live audience. When my band performs 100 concerts across the country every year, why would I beg to a Bollywood producer to give me a song?”
The Indie pop culture that revolutionised the music scene from the mid-1990s to early 2000s however, took a beating after some time. With the passage of merely ten years, independent musicians struggled to stay relevant and the changed scenario sounded the death knell of many talented artists and their compositions.
In 2010, like the proverbial phoenix bird, Euphoria rose once again to compose the Commonwealth Games 2010 anthem.
There perhaps has been no looking back by Euphoria ever despite the lows and heartbreaks! This determination of the band, especially of Palash Sen, to do what they were born to do ie make music, urges them to reinvent/refuel/rejuvenate both themselves and their music to march ahead most gloriously into the future, delighting their loyal fan base and the new kids on the block too.
Today, Euphoria band members are perhaps the only independent artists from the 90's Indie pop music scene who are not just surviving but thriving with gems like “Jiya Jaye Na”, “Iktarfa”. Sen says “We (Euphoria) completed 21 years staying away from the film industry. We were not supported by them, but we had huge support from our fans”.
Must watch Iktarfa by Palash Sen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMhVDOm1Lko
The rocking, foot-tapping melodies apart, the lyrics and the imagery of their music videos continue to charm and connect with their audience. It’s a very continuous warm feeling, like the embers of the fire glowing on a riverbank long after the travellers have moved on of fragrance of incense and honey rising from a temple and of an infinite existential ache that one hopes to bewitchingly conquer.
We, here at Karuwaki Speaks, spanning two generations, are huge fans of ‘Euphoria’! So here’s a wish and lots of duas.
Hey ya, Palash Sen & your merry band of men! Rock on, guys, you are the dreamers of dreams, you are the music makers, continue to be the movers and shakers of the musical world forever. Dhoom Pichak Dhoom!
Must watch Dhoom Pichak Dhoom- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7WaIDm9MQ0
#Euphoria #IndieMusic #PalashSen #FusionMusic
