Moheener Ghoraguli

Moheener Ghoraguli, India’s first indigenous rock band, originated in Kolkata.

The band was active between 1975 and 1981. The founding members were:

• Abraham Mazumder

• ⁠Bishu Chattopadhyay (Biswanath)

• ⁠Pradip Chattopadhyay (Bula)

• ⁠Ranjon Ghoshal

• ⁠Tapas Das (Bapi)

• ⁠Tapesh Bandyopadhyay (Bhanu, 1975-78; later replaced by Raja Bandyopadhyay, 1979-81)

• ⁠led by Gautam Chattopadhyay

The name "Moheener Ghoraguli" was taken from a line in Jeebanananda Das's (post-Tagore modern Bengali poet) poem "Ghora" (Horse). The free spirit of the horses of Moheen (a character in the poem) was embraced as the band's approach to music.

In terms of music and lyrics, the band created a paradigm shift. For the first time Bengali music was presented with an ensemble of bansuri, guitars, keyboard, violin, cello, double bass, and drums, along with gubgubi, khawmok and other folk instruments. The urban soul of the songs, with a rural undertone, embodied the blending the represents. Though this unconventional combination was not immediately accepted by the Bengali audience, it won the hearts of some, resulting in a lasting impact on modern Bengali music.

Moheener Ghoraguli created three albums:

  • Shanbigno Pakhikul O Kolkata Bishayak (1977, Bharati)

  • Ajaana UDonto bostu ba Aw-Oo-Baw (1978, Hindusthan Record )

  • Drishyoman Moheener Ghoraguli (1979, Bharati)

Gautam Chattopadhay later directed, edited, and produced four more albums, calling them ‘Moheener Ghoraguli shampadita gaan’ which featured songs of Moheener Ghoraguli and other promising artists with whom he worked, duly crediting each singer, song writer, composer, and musician.

Those albums were:

  • Aabaar Bochhor Kuri Pore (1995, Asha Audio)

  • Jhawra Shomoyer Gaan (1996, Asha Audio)

  • Maya (1997, Asha Audio)

  • Khyapaar Gaan (1999, Asha Audio)

It needs to be mentioned that some songs from the ‘Moheener Ghoraguli shawmpadito gaan’ by other artists are appearing online with the claim that they are written by Moheener Ghoraguli. Similarly, there also exist social media accounts falsely claiming affiliation with Moheener Ghoraguli and misusing the band logo.