Cactus (Indian band)

Cactus (Bengali: ক্যাকটাস) is an Indian Bangla rock band from Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Since inception they have played on over 2500 stages.

History

Cactus was formed in 1992. Inspired by the likes of Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and many others, they started the journey with the purpose of doing rock n' roll in a language closer to their soil, thereby expanding the vistas and erasing all existing limitations. Cactus went on to become the first ever professional Bangla rock band in India.^[1]

The professional debut of the band saw the light of the day on March 6, 1993, at Aban Mahal (CLT), Kolkata.

1999-2002: Beginnings and self-titled album

The first self-titled album, released in 1999 from HMV, became a rage with a touch of blues and psychedelic rock. With numbers like Brishti, Icchamati and Oooh! ma this album portrayed psychedelia in Bengali music for the first time. Halud pakhi, on the other hand created a long lasting sensation in the contemporary Bengali music scene with its nostalgic feel being perfectly accompanied by Shudhu tumi ele na and Amra bhishon eka complimenting the overall mood of the album.^[2]

They tasted some success when our first self-titled album was released in 1999 by HMV.

In 2002, Cactus composed and performed the score for the Bengali movie Nil Nirjone.

Rajar Raja (2004)

The band released its second album titled 'Rajar Raja' in 2004. The band with this album moved ahead and incorporated new sounds. Different genres of music were experimented within the album. Buddho Heshechhen and Lash Kata Ghore being examples of classic rock, flirting with folk rock in Bodhu re while Rajar Raja portrays influences from funk rock. Though this album had new sounds, the nostalgic quotient was very much there with songs like Udaaner Gaan, Krishti, Ude Jete Chay and Kamalar Swami representing blues and the psychedelic facet of the band sound.^[3][4]

Tuchho (2008)

The band released its third album, Tuccho, in 2008. The band with this album moved ahead and has incorporated new sounds. Different genres of music were being experimented with in the album. Traces of hard rock was clearly visible. They were then featured in the Rock Street Journal's February 2009 issue.^[5][6][7]

Discography

Cactus (1999) (Saregama India Limited)

Tracks

• "Shudhu Tumi Ele Na" (শুধু তুমি এলে না)
• "Amra Bhishon Eka" (আমরা ভীষণ একা)
• "Halogen" (হ্যালোজেন)
• "Tumio Bojho Amio Bujhi" (তুমিও বোঝো আমিও বুঝি)
• "Icchamoti" (ইছামতী)
• "Brishti Oooh Ma" (বৃষ্টি উঃ মা)
• "Bhoy" (ভয়)
• "Chai Shudhu Tomay" (চাই শুধু তোমায়)
• "Holud Pakhi" (হলুদ পাখি)

Nil Nirjone (2002) (Sunnyo Media Pvt. Ltd)

Tracks

• "Nil Nirjane" (নীল নির্জনে)
• "Noah" (নোয়া)
• "Telephone" (টেলিফোন)
• "Mon" (মন)
• "Dukho Medley (1st)" (দুঃখ মেডলি)
• "Medley (2nd)" (মেডলি)
• "Nil Nirjane - Music Track" (নীল নির্জনে - সংগীত)
• "Dialogue - Cactus and Raima" (সংলাপ - ক্যাকটাস ও রাইমা)

Rajar Raja (2004) (Asha Audio Company)

Tracks

• "Buddho Heshechhen" (বুদ্ধ হেসেছেন)
• "Udaaner Gaan" (উড়ানের গান)
• "Bodhu Re" (বধু রে)
• "Ude Jete Chay" (উড়ে যেতে চায়)
• "Lash Kata Ghore" (লাশ কাটা ঘরে)
• "Krishti" (কৃষ্টি)
• "Kamalar Swami" (কমলার স্বামী)
• "Rajar Raja" (রাজার রাজা)

Tuccho (2008) (Asha Audio Company)

Tracks

• "Bhalo Theko" (ভালো থেকো)
• "Kobita Hobo - Kobi Dao" (কবি দাও)
• "Moshiha" (মসীহা)
• "Phire Chawa" (ফিরে চাওয়া)
• "Pokhiraaj" (পক্ষীরাজ)
• "Raater Pori" (রাতের পরী)
• "Tuccho Ami" (তুচ্ছ আমি)
• "Shabdhane Raasta Perio" (সাবধানে রাস্তা পেরিয়ো)

References

External links

• Official_Website
• Official_Twitter_Page
• Official_Myspace_Profile
• Official_Orkut_Community
• Official_Facebook_Fanclub