Malayalam Rock
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Like a lot of other Keralites I know, I grew up enjoying hard rock and heavy metal (especially during a phase in the late ’80s) and I still enjoy a good head-banging song. But apart from a band called 13 A.D. (which was semi-decent), I don’t know of any good Kerala rock bands. 13 A.D. sang in English. Then of course there’s Kim Thayil of Soundgarden but he doesn’t count as he was born in Seattle (to Keralite parents).
Now comes an interesting band tantalizingly named Avial. (Avial is a mixed vegetable curry that’s a specialty in Kerala.) They sing in Malayalam. Check out the stylish video of their debut song called “Nada Nada” (walk, walk):
[via occasional rantlust commenter Sanu]
I think the video is too pretentious. In fact the video should have been called avial, too, the way it mashes together images from English music videos.
This attention reminds me of how lots of Indians like crap-assed Indian movies, but the same level of American movies, or even better movies, will get crapped on by the same people. I guess something to do with identifying with one’s own country and its ways.
Very slick. I really enjoyed it, especially the bleeding color montages with the old mud shacks. Thanks for sharing. Maybe they’ll have Kathakali set to rap next. Head-banging is an integral part of some of the more arcane Kerala art forms. Think Krishnattom, Thullal, Pakkanar-kali etc. No wonder Mallus love hard rock. Interestingly enough, head-banging has been practised since ancient times as a means to attain an elevated state of consciousness, an out of body experience. Sufi mystics used to do it, the whirling Dervishes did it, and now rock musicians do it.
Are these guys out in stores here?
addi polli. this is gangsta!
I don’t think they have even released anything in India. But some demo songs are available online.
That was pretty cool. From what I hear some very innovative stuff coming from the home country. I will be there for a week next month and will as usual scour a few CD/DVD stores.
I sent the song to someone very close to me who’s familiar with Malayalam literature. She was blown away by the song, and offered the following erudite analysis of the lyrics. Enjoy!
Wow. Thanks for sharing. I wasn’t even trying to listen to the lyrics. I was impressed with the style and the music.
13 A. D. was “semi-decent”? From all of my north-eastern friends from India (who also have rock for food :)) the only band they respected was 13 A. D. Eloy Isaacs is one of the best lead guitarists in India.
I agree that Isaacs (was that his name?) is/was a good guitarist. I especially liked his emulation of David Gilmour on some of the Floyd classics. But being good in India on a western instrument doesn’t make you good on an international scale. I liked them but there are/were no comparison to the real deal. Hence… semi-decent. Of course, this is subjective.
A Mallu Christian Rock band from Philadelphia: ZOA (two of the members are cousins of a former classmate of mine). They just released a CD. (They sing in English and not in Malayalam.)
Thank You
Halley’s Disciples’ from calicut is an Iron Maiden inspired band who were active in the late 80 to early 90s.
They were formed in the year of the comet by the same name. They release a album with EMI called “EMA”
tanx……………
man maange more…..
bakhi songs evide kittumm………..
hiiiiiii that was marvalous and amazing. and too interesting also but there is an attempt to imitate the rock band “splip knot”.
its about Halley’s Disciples’ , i grew up listnening to their songs. they were instrumental in popularising metal in calicut during 80s. the band had front man shahu mathew as vocal thej guitars and dennis on drums. Running free and big city nights were thier fav numbers which we sang along with them. sadly all r settled in US.
To the best of my knowledge their first ablum ‘extra marital affair’ was indias second album released by a record company and their label was music india. indias first rock album was by Rock Machine presently known as indus creed.
EMA album was rather slow one wih mother and terrroist attack as fast number which has iron maiden influnce
Is there any chance to form a new band in kerala.We have a band.But thongs are not working out.
Thongs? Or are you referring to the elastic around the waist when you say “band?”
@bapin.
No. Slipknot is terrible and all they do is scream. I hate rock songs with screaming. Ilike bands like Breaking Benjamin and Alter Bridge which use heavy metal but with good vocals so it sounds rly good.
Can any one send me songs of Halley’s Disciples????