If there’s one band that embodies the vibrant, eclectic spirit of India’s music scene, it’s Thaikkudam Bridge. Born in Kerala in 2013, this multi-genre musical powerhouse has been rocking the stage—both literal and metaphorical—since their breakout hit ‘Fish Rock’ took the internet by storm. Blending rock, folk, classical, and even a touch of heavy metal, the band has carved out a unique space in the industry, performing over 600 shows across 25 countries by 2024.
The band’s origin story is as colorful as their music. Co-founded by Siddharth Menon and Govind Vasantha, Thaikkudam Bridge made their mark on Kappa TV’s ‘Music Mojo’, where their debut composition ‘Fish Rock’ quickly went viral, thanks to its infectious blend of local folk melodies and head-banging rhythms. The quirky name? It’s an ode to a bridge in Kochi, where the band’s journey began.
Their success didn’t stop at ‘Fish Rock’. In 2015, Thaikkudam Bridge released their first album, ‘Navarasam’, a hard-hitting collection of multilingual tracks that explored themes of political satire, social inequality, and history. Songs like ‘Aarachar’ and ‘Chathe’ resonated with fans, making the album a critical and commercial hit.
Fast forward to 2024, and Thaikkudam Bridge continues to captivate audiences, including their electrifying performance at Red FM’s ‘South Side Story—an annual celebration of South India’s diverse heritage. Sharing the stage with luminaries like Khatija Rahman, Sean Roldan & Friends, and Agam The Band, Thaikkudam Bridge brought their signature genre-blending sound to this year’s festival, further solidifying their place as one of India’s most beloved and dynamic bands.
Sitting down with News 18 Showsha, the band opened up about being a regular at Red FM’s South Side Story, their musical evolution, and the chaos and creativity that come with being in one of India’s most celebrated contemporary bands.
Red FM’s South Side Story: A Second Home?
It seems Thaikkudam Bridge can’t get enough of Red FM’s South Side Story. Every year, they return to the stage, and fans can’t help but wonder: what keeps them coming back?
“We feel like it’s family,” says Ashok Betty Nelson. “From the very first Southside Story, we’ve been a part of it. Sometimes we wonder, ‘Are we doing too much?’ But the love from the audience is just overwhelming. The vibe in Delhi and Mumbai, where the festival happens, is something we crave. The audience is always energetic, and we keep coming back for more.”
From Fish Rock to Navarasam: Embracing Change
Many fans first heard of Thaikkudam Bridge through their breakout hit ‘Fish Rock’. But while ‘Fish Rock’ put them on the map, their sound soon evolved into something darker and more experimental. So how did their fans react to the change?
Mithun Raju explains, “’Fish Rock’ started as a one-off thing for a TV show in Kerala—Kappa TV. We had no big plans. After the love we got on YouTube, we decided to give it a shot. Over time, as we toured, we realized we needed to create original material. That’s when ‘Navarasam’ came about—a dark, heavy album that was a complete departure from ‘Fish Rock’.
“As artists, we can’t keep giving people the same thing over and over. Fans may ask for another ‘Fish Rock’ or ‘Nostalgia’, but if we’d stuck to that, there would be no ‘Navarasam’ or ‘Chathe’. Being an artist means pushing boundaries and trying new things.”
The Making of Navarasam: A Journey Through Society and Identity
For many, ‘Navarasam’ wasn’t just an album—it was an experience. Delving into themes of history, identity, and social issues, it marked a turning point in the band’s creative journey.
Mithun elaborates, “The album deals with socially relevant topics, and the music had to reflect that weight. Each song had its own story. ‘Aarachar’, for instance, is politically driven, while ‘Chathe’ is written from the perspective of someone who has committed suicide. The title track, ‘Navarasam’, is about the fading art form of Kathakali. Every song had a purpose, and we wanted the lyrics to remain as impactful as the music itself.”
But not every song fit perfectly into the album’s concept. Ashok jumps in to recall, “We had a song called ‘Nee’ that didn’t quite fit the theme of ‘Navarasam’. So, we saved it for ‘Namah’. Each song in ‘Navarasam’ had a specific role, and that’s why we made sure everything aligned with the overarching message.”
Speaking in Tongues: Multilingual Magic
One of the unique aspects of Thaikkudam Bridge’s albums is their multilingual nature. So how does incorporating multiple languages help the band reach a broader audience?
Vian Fernandes, a non-Malayali member of the band, shares his thoughts: “From the start, we’ve been playing songs in multiple languages, with different singers bringing their own styles. Personally, even though I don’t speak Malayalam, I connect with songs like ‘Khwaab’. The multilingual approach allows us to reach a global audience because music transcends language. Our fans appreciate that we sing in different languages—it gives them something to connect with, even if they don’t fully understand the lyrics.”
Music Videos: More Than Just Visuals
Thaikkudam Bridge’s music videos are a feast for the eyes, with each one intricately crafted to tell a story. But how do they approach visual storytelling?
Ashok credits their background in Indian cinema. “Growing up in India, movies are a huge part of our culture. Everyone in the band has some connection to the film industry, whether it’s Govind or Mithun. We see music videos as a way to enhance the listener’s experience. ‘Navarasam’ was about Kathakali, while ‘One’ was about unity among different people from various social and economic backgrounds. And then there’s ‘Sultan’, where we experimented with animation—something not many Indian bands have done. Videos give an extra layer to the music, and while we’d love to make more, financial constraints often hold us back.”
Mithun adds, “A great music video multiplies the impact of the song. It’s like how ‘Navarasam’ and ‘Chatte’ hit harder because of the visuals.”
Collaboration Nation: Building the Album Namah
Their album ‘Namah’ saw collaborations with musical giants like Marco Minnemann, Guthrie Govan, and Ustad Rashid Khan. So, how did they convince these legends to join the project?
Ashok laughs, “Honestly, it was pretty easy. Most of the artists were quick to agree, except for Anand and Ram Narayan. We had trouble reaching Anand, but we managed to contact his wife through Facebook, and after a year of waiting, we got him onboard.”
Govind played a key role in coordinating these collaborations, and as Ashok mentions, “We even had some happy accidents, like running into Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater at an airport in Colombo. These connections just fell into place, and before we knew it, we had this massive lineup for ‘Namah’.”
From Studio to Stage: The Live Performance Challenge
With such an intricately produced album like ‘Namah’, how does the band bring that magic to the stage?
Mithun explains, “Most of the featured artists have small parts in the songs, but for performances like ‘Inside My Head’, our drummer just nails it live. We don’t face too many challenges because everyone in the band is so skilled. We take it upon ourselves to ensure the live experience does justice to the studio version.”
However, they admit they don’t rehearse much as a full band. “We rarely practice together,” says Ashok. “But somehow, when we come together, it just clicks. Even we’re surprised at how it works!”
Creative Differences? Too Lazy to Fight
With a band as large as Thaikkudam Bridge, creative differences are bound to arise. So how do they manage that?
Ashok chuckles, “We’re too lazy to argue!”
Mithun adds, “Our tastes are so diverse that it’s easy to explore different ideas. When we worked on ‘Navarasam’, we had a clear direction—it was going to be dark and heavy. But with ‘Namah’, we said, ‘Let’s do whatever we want.’ There were no restrictions, and that freedom allowed us to create something unique.”
The key, it seems, is mutual respect. “We respect each other’s musical instincts,” says Ashok. “Even if we don’t agree right away, we give it time and try to understand each other.”
What’s Cooking in Thaikkudam Bridge’s Future?
As for what’s next, the band is playing their cards close to the chest. Ashok jokes, “We’ll release the next album when it’s ready!”
Mithun adds, “Right now, we’re still in the early stages. We have ideas, but we’re not quite sure what we’re going to do. It’s like we’re on our way to the market to buy ingredients, and we’ll decide what to cook once we get home.”
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