Madhukar C. Dhas

Madhukar grew up in Madras (now known as Chennai), India, where he was raised in a strong Christian tradition. His father expected him to become a doctor but he was influenced by, and played covers of the music of The Troggs, The Turtles, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Electric Prunes and The Doors among others, when in school.

He formed a band, "The Voodoos",{{cite news |last=Barokh |first=Amanda |date=13 March 2012 |title=Mumbai Nights: Atomic Forest Interviewed |magazine=The Quietus |department=Features |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/08236-atomic-forest-interview |url-status=live |accessdate=14 October 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140406084057/http://thequietus.com/articles/08236-atomic-forest-interview |archive-date=2014-04-06}} with classmate Sukumar Nambiar, son of actor M. N. Nambiar at MCCS and while attending Madras Christian College. With The Voodoos, Madhukar played in college festivals and competitions. He also became interested in art at this time which led to his Advertising career later.

File:Madhukar in Jesus Christ Superstar.jpg

After school and college, he moved to Bombay, working for advertising agencies such as Interpub and Lintas:India as an Art Director.

While continuing to work in advertising, Madhukar led one of India's premier Rock and Roll bands of the day, Atomic Forest in 1972 as their male vocalist, with Neel Chattodpadyaya on lead guitar, Keith Kanga on bass guitar and Valentine Lobo on drums.{{cite journal|title=Reissues: Diggin' in the Crates for Untold Treasures|journal=Spin|date=March 2011|volume=27|issue=2|page=85|author=Andrew Hultkrans|issn=0886-3032}}{{cite web |last=Sarabia |first=Tony |date=11 July 2012 |title=Unearthing the strange sounds of Indian psych |url=https://www.wbez.org/stories/unearthing-the-strange-sounds-of-indian-psych/8980637d-51ce-4d8d-b303-599200f0102a |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220920182442/https://www.wbez.org/stories/unearthing-the-strange-sounds-of-indian-psych/8980637d-51ce-4d8d-b303-599200f0102a |archive-date=2022-09-20 |accessdate=14 October 2013 |website=The BEZ – WBEZ 91.5}}{{cite journal|last=Fernandes|first=Naresh|title=Jungle book: Take a trip to 1970s Mumbai|journal=Time Out Mumbai|date=30 March 2012|url=http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/music/featuresfeatures/jungle-book|accessdate=14 October 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513222521/http://timeoutmumbai.net/music/featuresfeatures/jungle-book|archivedate=13 May 2012}} in 1972.

Atomic Forest performed at The Sneha Yatra Festival{{cite web |last1=Silgardo |first1=Dustin |date=28 February 2015 |title=Music festivals: In search of the vibe |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/0z4b43qbrqZUOQunYhI1KJ/Music-festivals-In-search-of-the-vibe.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220920182041/https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/0z4b43qbrqZUOQunYhI1KJ/Music-festivals-In-search-of-the-vibe.html |archive-date=2022-09-20 |accessdate=3 August 2019 |website=livemint.com}} (aka) 'The Indian Woodstock' and were regular fixtures at prominent clubs and discos such as Slip Disc,{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=James |title='Loads of illicit substances': the night Led Zeppelin invaded an Indian dive-bar |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/loads-illicit-substances-night-led-zeppelin-invaded-indian-dive/ |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=10 November 2021 |access-date=23 November 2021}} Blow Up at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Hell at Hotel Hilltop in Mumbai. Their album Obsession '77 was re-released in 2011.{{cite web |last1=Egon |title=Unearthing Five Lost Gems From Psychedelic India |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/02/02/130588826/unearthing-five-lost-gems-from-psychedelic-india |date=18 October 2010 |publisher=NPR Music |access-date=23 November 2021}}

After leaving Atomic Forest, he began performing solo at 5-star hotels in India as a spot singer and overseas at Oberoi Lanka and then on to Hotels in South East Asia en route to the USA. Madhukar sang in the presence of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Mumbai.

He also sang jingles in a vast array of commercials one of which was for Close-Up toothpaste{{cite web |title=Recording: Madhukar Chandra Dhas – Close-Up | via=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quN8HK55ghM |accessdate=4 July 2020}} that played across India at all movie houses for 8 years.

The Creative Director of his at Lintas:India, Alyque Padamsee, who was also a theatrical producer, cast Madhukar in the title role{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/timothy-sheaders-jesus-christ-superstar-opened-at-the-barbican-london/article28649381.ece | title=Timothy Sheader's Jesus Christ Superstar opens in London | date=22 July 2019 | newspaper=The Hindu | first=Nikhil | last=Raghavan | accessdate=3 August 2019 }}{{cite web|last=Arnesh|first=Ghose|title=JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR: AN ORAL HISTORY|url=http://www.mansworldindia.com/features/jesus-christ-superstar-an-oral-history|work=Man's World India|accessdate=7 April 2014|year=2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208053030/http://www.mansworldindia.com/features/jesus-christ-superstar-an-oral-history|archivedate=8 February 2014}} of his 1974 production of the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar' as Jesus{{cite web |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/the-informer/reddy-steady-hitched/articleshow/29172926.cms |website=Mumbai Mirror |access-date=21 February 2021|title=Reddy, steady, hitched }} opposite Nandu Bhende's Judas. The show ran to packed houses at Birla Hall.

Madhukar performed the role for a year and a half,{{cite book|title=A Double Life: My Exciting Years in Theatre and Advertising|year=1999|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=9780140240719|pages=156, 160, 161, 172|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWsdGDA2j8EC|author=Alyque Padamsee|edition=Illustrated|authorlink=Alyque Padamsee|author2=Arun Prabhu}} which shot him to stardom as India's leading Male Vocalist. Madhukar and Nandu were selected from over 100 singers who auditioned for the roles. This production is considered a hallmark in Indian Rock Opera and theatre performances in general, and the director is working on a new production to commemorate 40 years since the original.

Sidharth Bhatia's book on Indian Rock music{{cite news|last=Kusnur|first=Narendra|title=India Psychedelic|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/india-psychedelic/15195099|accessdate=16 April 2014|newspaper=Mid Day|date=1 April 2014}} in the 1960s and 70s, entitled "India Psychedelic – The Story of a Rocking Generation{{cite book|last=Bhatia|first=Sidharth|title=INDIA PSYCHEDELIC – THE STORY OF A ROCKING GENERATION|date=24 January 2014|publisher=HarperCollins India Original|isbn=9789350298374}} " has quite a few pages dedicated to Madhukar Dhas.

In 1978, he moved to the United States, settling in New York, where he again worked in advertising with agencies such as Bozell Worldwide and Deutsch Inc., while also pursuing his musical interests. He seasonally performed at Beatlesfests across the U.S. and Canada.

In 2002, he self-released his first album, 'This Day Is Forever', containing "The 9/11 Memorial Song".

He produced his 2nd album under indie label MADOOO Records, a Beatles tribute disc called "To the 'Fab Four' from Liverpool ... A Tribute from India", in 2004.{{cite news|last=Krishnan|first=Chitra|title=Rhythm and roots|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/29/stories/2004092900190300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050122121132/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/29/stories/2004092900190300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 January 2005|accessdate=14 October 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=29 September 2004}}{{cite news|title=Blowing in the wind Tribute tunes|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/blowing-in-the-wind-tribute-tunes/cid/1658607|accessdate=23 November 2021|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=27 November 2004}}

Some of his original songs can be heard on his 1st album, 'This day is forever'. His original songs and The Beatles tribute CD are all re-arranged in a unique fusion style of Western Rock n' Roll and Indian percussion sounds. His originals are written and performed again with that same fusion of Indian and Rock n' Roll music.

1. This Day Is Forever – Radio Mix
2. America Forever
3. The Times They Are A-Changin' (Bob Dylan)
4. A Dose of You
5. I'll Be Myself
6. With a Little Help from My Friends (Lennon-McCartney)
7. Follow Me
8. "Love Me Do" (Lennon-McCartney)
9. I'll Be By Your Side
10. I Need You Baby
11. "Got to Get You into My Life" (Lennon-McCartney)
12. I Only Want to Say (Gethsemane) From Jesus Christ Superstar
13. Help Me Get Home
14. This Day Is Forever – Extended Mix

1. Norwegian Wood 4:59
2. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away 3:38
3. Ob-la-di Ob-la-da 3:53
4. If I Needed Someone 2:57
5. You Can't Do That 3:39
6. Love Me Do 3:27
7. Got To Get You into My Life 4:51
8. Across The Universe 3:52
9. With A Little Help From My Friends 3:56
10. I Saw Her Standing There 4:27
11. Things We Said Today 3:23
12. John Lennon Tribute-Imagine/GivePeace/Watchin' the Wheels 5:23
13. Norwegian Wood – Radio Edit 3:58
14. Got To Get You into My Life – Radio Edit 4:08
15. I Saw Her Standing There – Radio Edit 3:39
16. John Lennon Tribute – Radio Edit 4:33

1. Obsession '77 (Fast) – 5:49
2. Locomotive Breath – 3:58
3. Mary Long – 3:45
4. Sunshine Day – 5:01
5. I Saw Her Standing There – 5:37
6. Obsession '77 (Slow) – 3:22
7. Butterfly Version 1 – 3:30
8. Theme From The Godfather – 4:34
9. Windmills of Your Mind – 2:57
10. Theme From The Fox – 4:48
11. Butterfly Version 2 – 3:28
12. Booboo Lullaby – 6:19
13. Man, You're Not Number One – 3:05
14. Travel On – 4:09
15. Jeff Beck Excerpt – 1:16
16. Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) – 3:46
17. Foxy Lady – 7:01

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.madooo.com/ Madhukar C. Dhas's official website]
• [https://www.madooo.com/press.html Press page on Madhukar's Website]
• [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/madooo/4377350 Madooo on iTunes Music]
• [https://music.apple.com/us/album/to-fab-four-from-liverpool/16020792 "To The 'Fab Four' From Liverpool ... A Tribute From India" on iTunes Music Store]
• [http://www.nowagainrecords.com/atomic-forest-obsession/ "Atomic Forest – Obsession" Now-Again records]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140416180523/http://www.harpercollins.co.in/BookDetail.asp?Book_Code=4621 India Psychedelic – The Story of a Rocking Generation]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dhas, Madhukar C.}}

Category:Musicians from Chennai

Category:Musicians from Tamil Nadu

Category:Singers from Chennai

Category:Indian male musicians

Category:1949 births

Category:2024 deaths