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News |  31 Mar 2010 18:51 |  By chiragsutar

Review: Leaving Home - The Life and Music of Indian Ocean

For those who are familiar with Indian Ocean's music, Leaving Home will certainly give them an up-and-close peek into the band. And, for those who are not – it's pure inspiration nevertheless 

Directed by Jaideep Varma, a self confessed admirer of the band, Leaving Home - The Life and Music of Indian Ocean is an honest portrayal of the band and its individuals – if nothing else, it brings you closer to the band's music, and probably motivates you to listen to it with a fresh perspective 

Inarguably, Indian Ocean is India's only band to have put Indian indie music on a global map with their raw sound, but the journey to reach there was not a cakewalk - from rising through personal life crisis (and that of the band), to cutting through the commercial notions of the music industry, the film is an inspiring cut about its members rising through the highs and lows 

The narrative of the film is seemingly candid – it's almost like walking into the lives/jam room of Indian Ocean as the film is largely filmed at their jam-pad in Karol Bagh.

The film makes many revelations about personal lives of band members who bare their hearts out on the choices they make for themselves. While Sushmit Sen (guitars) is bullish about carrying on with the idea of a band irrespective of its line-up changes way back in 80's, IIT graduate Rahul Ram (bass) one day realizes that there is no connection between money and happiness and decides to comeback from US. After landing in India, he participates in the Narmada Bachao Andolan (which eventually gives him inspiration for Maa Rewa). On the other hand, percussionist Asheem Chakravarty, is someone who works round the clock in an advertising fimm, but finally decides to quit and pursue his musical inclinations. Drummer Amit Kilam, who comes in much later into the band, is the youngest of the lot who finds his life's philosophy in his mom's school book (she works as a teacher). Leaving Home speaks about how the four individuals from different walks of life meet, and unknowingly end up writing a new chapter for Indian music 

The film also speaks about how their band was rejected by several major music labels, and so called A&R veterans. Due to rejection, guitarist Sushmit Sen finally chooses to work with a music label (HMV) to understand the functioning of the industry. The documentary also features opinions of filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap (with whom the band worked on Black Friday), Shubha Mudgal, Rabbi Shergill and Palash Sen on the indie scene and the role that Indian Ocean has played so far.

Not surprisingly, Varma gets all the ingredients right for this documentary. He traces how the band was formed, speaks to the ex-members (one of the highlights), and delves into how the band made some of those cult songs like Maa Rewa, Bandey and Jhini among others. In addition, the documentary also features some full length concert versions of these songs. Leaving Home largely stands out as Varma does not restrict himself to interviewing just the members of the band, but goes ahead and interviews parents and spouses of the band members who openly share their apprehensions. While some excerpts from the interviews are candid, others can bring a lump in your throat 

Incidentally, the documentary was in the making for a long time, and one of the altering changes the band faced last year was the loss of percussionist and vocalist Asheem Charavarthy - to whom the film is now dedicated 

This film is highly recommended for all music lovers.


Director: Jaideep Varma

Send in your comments to: chirag.sutar@indiantelevision.co.in

 

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