Susmit Sen is a pioneer. When he founded Indian Ocean in 1990, there was no pan-Indian band writing original music. Over the next few years, Indian Ocean's musical sensibility was led by Sen's compositions and a unique guitar playing inspired by Indian classical and folk. In 1993, came the eponymous first album: once again, the first such nationally released album by an Indian band. What followed was a sensation. Indian Ocean toured more than twenty countries, produced six albums over the next two decades and played a kind of music never heard before: an Indian expression using mostly Western instruments, anchored by Susmit's self-taught guitar. By the time he came out with his first solo album in collaboration with some of the most renowned musicians in India (Depths of the Ocean, 2011), and then parted ways with Indian Ocean, Susmit had inspired a generation. Susmit has recently founded a new group, Susmit Sen Chronicles.***Sehba Imam did her master's in mass communication from the MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia. She is a media professional with a number of programmes to her credit, including Great Indian Tamasha, Gustakhi Maaf and Galli Galli Sim Sim. She lives in Gurgaon.
Bhushan Korgaonkar is a multilingual writer, director theatre producer and translator. Celebrated for his engaging…
Shahu Patole, a distinguished Marathi-language writer and retired government officer, has a master's in economics…
Rohit Manchanda spent his childhood in the coalfields of Jharkhand and did his doctorate from…
Prakash Patra began his career as a journalist in 1980 and has worked with National…
Upamanyu Bhattacharyya is an animation director based in Kolkata. He co-directed the award-winning animated short…