2. BIOGRAPHY
Bandish was formed in the year 2006 by one of India’s most respected drummer and
percussionist Christopher Powell. The band released their first album titled “KaiseKahoon”
with three music videos under a music label called Times Music. Their song “Goonj” held
No. 3 position for 10 weeks on the MTV World Chart Express in 2006, No. 2 on B4U Music
Charts and No.7 on Channel V- Top 20. Bandish was nominated for The Best Band of the
Year (2006-2007) at the Jack Daniel Rock Awards 2007.
The band released their second self-titled album featuring national and international
artistes, under the flagship of Universal Music with a three year contract and a three album
deal.
The title song “Bandish,” features world renowned U.K. based percussionist Pete Lockett.
The song went to No. 1 position on B4U Music charts.
3. Comprised of six musical Einsteins Bandish is a fire power live act. Specialists in
entertaining the crowd, they are proficient in the genre of Indi-pop, Classic Rock, Sufi
Rock, popular Bollywood songs, retro Hindi songs and prominent regional tracks.
Bandish entertains thousands of students and corporate heads every year throughout
India, Festivals & New Year gatherings in various 5 & 7 star hotels in India and
abroad, exclusive weddings and farm house parties. Every song performed is chosen
keeping their target audience in mind, rendering a version of their own which is both
entertaining and unique.
5. For more than two decades, Christopher(Chris/Kitty) Powell has developed and
maintained a reputation among fans, peers and the music community with his
incredibly dynamic, powerful & natural style of drumming. His artistic capabilities are
built on a solid foundation of knowledge, respect and love for music. He showcases
progressive and power packed drumming and innovative use of electronic and acoustic
drums, bringing him nationwide acknowledgment.
Christopher was the co- founder of his first band Nirvana in 1985, which won best band
awards throughout India. The band received accolades throughout their 11 yearlong
musical journey. In 1998 he joined the reigning Indian band Euphoria and was a part of
2 full albums and one single contributing to its huge success for six long years In 2006,
Christopher founded the band Bandish releasing their first album titled “KaiseKahoon”
with three music videos,where all songs were composed, arranged and produced by
him under the banner of Times Music.The album topped the charts on all major Indian
music television channels and was nominated for The Best Band of the Year (2006-
2007) at the Jack Daniel Rock Awards 2007. In 2010 Christopher again played the part
of composer, arranger and producer for Bandish’s second self-titled album featuring
national and international artistes, under the flagship of Universal Music. He featured
world renowned, U.K. based percussionist Pete Locket in the title track “Bandish.” With
this vast experience and thorough knowledge of the Indian live music
scenario Christopher formulated “the Big Band theory” in 2011, a unique blend of
aggressive music from North and the classic and distinct sound of South.
6. In his musical journey all around the world Christopher has shared stage with various
international acts like Australian Rock & Electronica outfit Nail Factory at the World
Music festival, India-China border; popular Pakistani Sufi rock band Junoon at the
UN General Assembly hall, New York and famous Pakistani pop band Strings
in Dubai.
Coming to his Indian collaborations, he released his first single titled “Namastasyai”
with Padma Shri Awardee and internationally acclaimed Indian classical vocalist
Shubha Mudgal, and also performed live with her band “Koshish.” He
performed various fusion concerts with Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan’s sons-
Aman&Ayaan.
Talking about the Bollywood connection, he recorded singles with Bollywood’s best
playback singers like KK, Krishna, Mohit Chauhan and Harshdeep Kaur for Bandish
albums.
Christopher judged various national level rock band competitions and television reality
shows like “Sing with A.R. Rahman contest,” selecting top 5 singers in the country and
the latest Zee TV reality show called “Zee Aspire: Music to Money Challenge.”
The best at what he does the best – “Live Performances,” Christopher’s music has taken
him around the globe entertaining people of different countries, culture and ethnicity.
8. Dean who holds a Bachelor's degree in Jazz and Pop music from the Johannes
Gutenberg University in Germany, has a 'voice range' to die for. After 12 years of doing
gigs with a number of Bands and collecting acclaim wherever he performed, crowds
would get hypnotized by his exuberance and stage presence. Dean also has a Band
called `Guru' in Germany, a runaway success who released their album 'Ghoom' with
Times Music(India) and won the famous South German Rock contest 'ROCKBUSTER'
in 2006.
Close on its heels, came `True Colors' with Dean on the Helm,belting out cover tracks
from `AC/DC', creating fire in Dimapur, in his tour of the North East, in 2000. As a
Stage performer, Dean is the typical boxer who spars around with the audience with
hooks and jabs, finally delivering the devastating 'Sucker Punch' which gets u in da
Solars!!!
It was no surprise for anyone when in early 2009 Deepak readily grabbed the offer to
join India's leading band BANDISH as the front man. Having already played and
rocked with Desmond in TRUECOLORS, Deepak knew the excellent line up that was in
store for him with BANDISH...and since the music had already appealed to him when
he had heard the album Kaise Kahoon 3 years ago....there was no doubt in mind...and
he imbibed the band’s sound.
10. Widely recognized as one of India’s most creative and prominent musicians, Desmond
mastered the explosive possibilities of the electric guitar, combining whammy feedback
and controlled distortions to create a unique musical appearance during his solos.
Entirely self-taught, he created a sound which he could entirely call his own. Following
his passion for years Desmond have won many prestigious “Best Guitar Player Awards”
in the country.
Desmond formed his first band Nirvana in 1985, which won best band awards
throughout India. The band received accolades throughout their 11 yearlong musical
journey. In 2002 he formed a band called True Colors which won best band awards at
various Battle of the Bands contests. In 2006 Desmond teamed up with his brother
Christopher Powell to form the band Bandish, releasing their first album “Kaise
Kahoon” with three music videos under Times Music.
12. Armed with a bow and the fiddle Manoj George C has made a mark for himself in the
Indian music arena as a composer, performing violinist and collaborator. He is a
Licentiate (LTCL) performer in Violin from the Trinity College of Music, London.
In 1996, he won scholarship from the HRD Central Government of India, New Delhi.
Highlights of Manoj's concerts and performances include sharing the stage with
renowned violin maestro Dr. L Subramaniam at the Miss World contest, opening for
Canadian rock star Bryan Adams with former band "Antaragni," headlining the
"Infected Mushrooms" and representing India at the "World Military Games."
Manoj has performed in India and across the world with various groups and artstes like Hari
Lucky Ali, Shankar Mahadevan & Dr. K.J. Jesudas.
Manoj also composed music for national award winning films like Kharaksharangal
(Malayalam), Aathmeeya (Kannada) and Vaadhyaar (Malayalam).
14. In his career spanning two decades, he has taught at all premier institutes of western
music in Delhi. Having completed Grade-8 in Solo Piano and Theory of Music from
Trinity College London, he co-founded the Gurgaon School of Music in 2003, in which
he served as a director and senior faculty member for theory of music, piano and
electronic keyboard for six years. In 2000, his passion for jazz earned him a
scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA. Over the years he has
performed with many professional rock and jazz bands such as Nirvana, Arth, Tyris &
Co. (Chicago based jazz trio) and Bluefunk to name a few.
He is the author of the Bridge to Music series of textbooks for public schools (the only
series of music textbook for public school in India). He is much in demand as a senior
music educator in many roles and is also the representative of the Associated Board of
Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in New Delhi and adjoining states. To realize his
vision of placing India high on the map of international music circuit, Ritesh
conceptualized the Bridge Music Academy in 2009. In just over 2 years Bridge Music
Academy provides quality music education to over 300 students studying under the
guidance of 35 professional musicians. After 3 centres in Delhi, the Academy recently
established it’s 4thcentre at The British School, Chandigarh.
16. Rohit is a topnotch recording artist and most sought after multipercussionist and plays
an active role in the Indian film music industry. With his unique style and technique,
Rohit has earned a special place and image. He plays Darbuka, Tabla, Dholak,
Timbale, Kanjira and a host of other Indian and world percussion instruments. He holds
a diploma at Trinity College, London as graded pianist. Rohit is also a
producer/composer and has produced music for many north India films and music
albums.
18. With Yanger there has never been a dull moment in his journey to fame. Rough
riding through 15 years of playing the bass guitar and touring across country from
Nagaland to New Delhi, Yanger can tame a 5 string bass like a Pro-Bull rider who
never gets thrown off on each and every gnarling slap and pop!
From his first band 'Cruise Missile' where he was adjudged The 'Best Bass Player' of
Nagaland(1996-1999) to winning the first place at IIT Delhi's coveted 'Blitkrieg' in
2001 with`True Colors'(1999-2003) to 'PUNKH' , and now Bandish; Yanger has
come a long way and surpassed boundaries in bass playing, developing his own
style which includes composition and clarity while shuffling through a variety of
genres.
