Moheener Ghoraguli or Mohiner Ghoraguli ( translation: Moheen's Horses) was a Bengali independent music group from Kolkata. It is difficult to classify them into a musical genre, as their music was a mixture of a wide variety of influences, including the Baul and folk traditions of Bangla and rock. Established in the 1970s during a period of stagnation in Bangla music, when commercial film songs were the dominant market force, the lyrics (and to some extent the compositions) of leader Gautam Cha...
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Moheener Ghoraguli or Mohiner Ghoraguli ( translation: Moheen's Horses) was a Bengali independent music group from Kolkata. It is difficult to classify them into a musical genre, as their music was a mixture of a wide variety of influences, including the Baul and folk traditions of Bangla and rock. Established in the 1970s during a period of stagnation in Bangla music, when commercial film songs were the dominant market force, the lyrics (and to some extent the compositions) of leader Gautam Chattopadhyay were radically new. They were of a very personal or social nature, similar to the urban folk movement led by Bob Dylan in the 60s. Though they were almost unknown in their time, in recent years they have undergone a critical re-evaluation much like the Velvet Underground. This can not be understood without a little background on the Jibonmukhi movement. In recognition of this renewed interest, Gautam released a compilation of Mohiner Ghoraguli covers by contemporary artists, Aabaar Bochhor Kuri Pore in 1995. They have since come to be considered an unrecognised pioneers of the jibonmukhi style and ethics, decades ahead of their times. They are sometimes also credited as the pioneers of the flourishing of Bangla bands in the new millennium. This is debatable as their songwriting was strongly rooted in Bangla folk and also American urban folk, while modern Bangla bands like Fossils and Insomnia are influenced by grunge. Their signature song is Prithibita Naki, a reflection on how television creates urban alienation. It has been covered by many artists. Band members Original lineup: * Gautam Chattopadhyay (Manik a.k.a. Moni-da to his younger siblings) - voice, lead guitar, saxophone, lyrics * Abraham Mazumdar - piano, violin * Pradip "Bula" Chattopadhyay - bass guitar, flute * Ranjon Ghoshal - lyrics, emcee, visuals, media relations * Biswanath "Bishu" Chattopadhyay - drums, bass violin * Tapas "Bapi" Das - voice, guitar * Tapesh "Bhanu" Bandopadhyay - voice, guitar (till 1978) Later Members: * Raja Banerjee - Guitar (1978 onwards) After Tapesh Bandopadhyay left the band in 1978, he was replaced by Raja Banerjee. Raja went on to record the third Moheen album Drishyomaan Moheener Ghoraguli with the band and performed in numerous concerts till the band was disbanded.
