Indian Ocean has lost its beat, voice and laughter

The Indian music scene lost one of its finest vocalists on Friday, December 25.

The Indian music scene lost one of its finest vocalists on Friday, December 25.

HT Image

Asheem Chakravorty, who sang and played the tabla for Indian Ocean was popular not just for his almost unique music sensibilities but also his affable nature.

Asheem da, as he was called by his friends and fans, went into a coma while on tour in Doha, Qatar, in October.

He is survived by his wife Sunita and 13-year-old son Ekaansh.

The band was formed back in 1984 by guitarist Sushmit Sen, who met Asheem at a concert. The two hit it off instantly.

Asheem was by far responsible for Indian Ocean’s signature sound. The one thing that he’ll be most missed for, apart from his music, was his infectious energy and zest for life, on stage and off it too.

Sen said it was tough for him to even think of Asheem in the past tense.

“It’s almost like a marriage… we’ve been together for 28 years now. Asheem’s a wonderful and very warm person. We’ll miss him for his companionship, his voice, his music, everything. No one can ever replace him.”

A documentary of the band titled Leaving Home, directed by Jaideep Verma, among many other things talked about Asheem’s difficult growing up years. At the same time, it also highlighted his spirit to fight. The band’s manager and friend Dhruv Jagasia recalls Asheem as the ‘youngest 52-year-old’.

“Of course, I can’t say that anymore, but I’d say he went his way… he fought till the last moment.

With him, there was never a generation gap. He’s one of the kindest and most hilarious people known to us. His left-of-the-centre humour and unique take on everything made him a stand out.

His difficult life in the early half ensured that today he was unfazed by anything; there’s never been a time when he’s thrown a tantrum even at the worst of shows,” he said.

Asheem was also very spiritually inclined. Said Jagasia, “Astrology, numerology or meditation… he knew so much.

All his habits were eclectic, from the music he heard to the books he read and even the movies he saw.

He inspired me to live my passions and even today his name brings a smile to my face, he did it his way.”