India's First Rock Act :: Mohiner Ghoraguli

I just spent the entire week of my Mid Term in effort to apprentice several Topsy-turvy equations of motions, ten hours a day while listening in loop to the Unsung Horses of Indian Rock scene — Mohiner Ghoraguli. Yes, the famous "Bheegi Bheegi" from Gangstar was originally composed by the Ghoras in 1980s, 20 years before its latest version.
The essence of counter culture revolution mixed with the Indian folk acts, made me operative in the openness of the life. While all of us go gaga over international musical artists and groups, we tend to forget the immensely talented ones closer 

to our soil.Mohiner Ghoraguli (translated as Mohin's Horses) is surely one of those musical groups that had heralded a new beginning in Bengali music by breaking all established musical themes. For ardent music lovers, this name would definitely not be a new one. Mohiner Ghoraguli was an independent( in fact the fist) rock music group of Calcutta that was established in the 1970s.

During a period of stagnation in Bangla music, when commercial film songs were the dominant market force, the lyrics (and to some extent the compositions) of leader Gautam Chattopadhyay were radically new. The personal yet social nature of their act, were a reminiscence to the urban folk movement led by Bob Dylan, John Denver in the 60s. Though they were almost unknown in their time, in recent years they have undergone a critical re-evaluation much like the Velvet Underground. Without any exaggeration it can be said that the Group was decades ahead of its times. The then milieu could not grasp the mettle of Mohiner Ghoraguli. 

In such a conservative climate, Moheener Ghoraguli, with its unorthodox musical compositions and strange choice of song themes, failed to gain much of a fan base. Its songs dealt with everyday topics -politics, poverty, injustice, revolution, love, loneliness, even begging and prostitution, unlike the mainstream romantic theme. Gautam Chattopadhyay had strong political beliefs; in common with many intelligent and idealistic young men of his generation, he was involved in socialist/communist politics during the 1960s and 1970s. According to former bandmate Abraham Mazumdar, Gautam may have been involved in the Naxalite movement as well (Citation Needed). This political outlook was reflected in the musical output of the band.

The 1970s were the heydays of classic Bengali singers like Shyamal Mitra and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay. At that time the Group could not achieve what it deserved. The maverick Group did not get much prominence as the songs were not only about love; the songs dealt with mundane topics such as politics, poverty, technology and even prostitution. Many say that the Group's songs had the elements of Jibonmukhi Gaan (songs of ordinary life) that became famous two decades later thanks to the likes of Kabir Suman. In recognition of this renewed interest, Gautam released a compilation of Mohiner Ghoraguli covers by contemporary artists, Aabaar Bochhor Kuri Pore in 1995. They have since come to be considered an unrecognized pioneers of the jibonmukhi style and ethics, decades ahead of their times.

The Horses of Mohin have stood the test of time and galloped across the hearts of millions, symbolising to be forefront of Bangla political and social dynamics of that era. The present must recall the temperament of the chords which were played to define a new revolution, a new Jibon. In times when technology exemplify our music needs, where people are plugged in ears and get aloof from each other and cut off from music. We should try and look towards the Horses and learn the  gallop towards the estuaries of life. 







Acknowledgements:

Mr. Tameem Salman Choudhury, to introducing me to the Ghoras.
To wikipedia, for making , facts easily available, so that wannabes like me can write.