he second coming into my life. Don’t get confused with the album by Induscreed. Have been listening to this for the last two days; and I can’t stop listening to it. Uday Benegal and Jayesh Gandhi formed the band with some of the best musicians from India like Taufiq Qureshi, Rakesh Chaurasia. Mostly classical. Though this was the most popular track they came out with, there was another video ‘Super Bowl’. That did the rounds on the charts as well.

The band Induscreed though hugely successful, parted ways since each member wanted to pursue his own goals. Uday and Jayesh stuck on and came up with this. The sound can be best described as Indian rhythms and melodies melded with rock and funk grooves. The lyrics can be summed up in two words: cynical optimism.

Its been many years since they came up with an Album and I am really looking forward to one. Romour has it, that are working on a new album. But then again, I am just waiting. You can check their website but I reckon its not been updated for a long time now (Official Website).

This album, they are very vocal about one thing. Record companies may ask you sing shit but one must never compromise the quality for the sake of popularity. Released in 1999 during the peak of indipop, they stuck on. The album was produced with their own money. I really respect these guys for that.

Kashmakash (Hindi Version)

Alms for Shanti: Kashmakash

kashmakash hai talaash hai sadiyon purani yeh pyaas hai
chale us raste hum haste jab tak hai josh aur dum
chhal hai chal bola yeh man, doob jaane ka yeh jatan
jaana hai, paana hai, gehraiyon mein khone ki lagan

is parvaz mein hai kai raaz, rang, ras, reeti rivaj kuchh ujhle
kuchh dhundale kuchh simte kuchh bikhare se
chalne ko hai raah, hai chaah, yeh nadiyan, yeh dariyan
tez paani ka bahaav, moksh hai haath ke daav

kho gaya hai mera sapna
bharam toota mera
lut gaya jo thha apna
kadam behke zara

guru dakshina shant atma paisa diya mila parmatma
shraddha saiyyam door hua bhram, lambe kash se bas nikla dum
ab woh dhuan kahaan mit gaye sab nisha, kaisa yeh samaah
khali khali hai yeh jahaan

kho gaya hai mera sapna
bharam toota mera
lut gaya jo thha apna
kadam behke zara

dekho khatam hua yeh khel, pathhri par se uthri yeh rail
maro kaato aahein baaton ilzam do dharam ko
dharam tho hai sachchi neeyat, sachchi neeyat hai insaniyat
mutthhi mein hai apni kismat

kho gaya hai mera sapna
bharam toota mera
lut gaya jo thha apna
kadam behke zara

Varanasi Trail (English Version)

Alms for Shanti: Varanasi Trail

Wanderstruck, at sea without a sail, tokin’ guru on the varanasi trail,
renounce the world,
denounce the forces, courses that wend their ways to collision
subterfuge! cries the subconscious mind, i need to go, i need to seek and find the meaning,
the feeling of reaching deep into the heart divine

mystical misadventures in elixirs and blessed tinctures, rituals and frankincense in the pursuit of transcendence
walk the path, the line, the road, the riverbank, at every flank a godman with a handbook – “10 Quick Steps To Nirvana”

somebody’s been driving my karma
somebody ran over my schemes
someone took a piece of my dharma
and left me severed at the knees

guru-dakshina – salve for the soul, god for 3 pieces of gold
faith, patience, a vial of pills, the swami’s off on a delivery of thrills
oh, this emptiness inside, I need substance to feel alright, smoke the pipe, the peace pipe, boom shankar, BOOM!

somebody’s been driving my karma
somebody ran over my schemes
someone took a piece of my dharma
and left me severed at the knees

wonderlust, belief without a veil, ridin’ shotgun on the Varanasi trail, face the world, deface the girl – the churl, oh put it down to religion
sacred remains sacrosanct, to believe in god is to do good to man, your destiny’s in your own hands

somebody’s been driving my karma
somebody ran over my schemes
someone took a piece of my dharma
and left me severed at the knees