Thaikkudam Bridge

The band was conceived by Siddharth Menon and Govind Vasantha in 2013. The band’s name, proposed by band member Piyush Kapoor (ex-member), is derived from a bridge located in Kochi, Kerala.{{Cite web |date=2015-10-29 |title=Unity in diversity: How Cochin-based band Thaikkudam Bridge made it big |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/unity-in-diversity-how-cochin-based-band-thaikkudam-bridge-made-it-big/story-c8I0KYqtrcOMQ18vcjt17N.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} Prior to forming Thaikkudam Bridge, the members had individual careers as musical artists. The members of the band Siddharth Menon and Vian Fernandes were previously part of a band. Soon after, they formed as a band, beginning with performances in Music Mojo sessions in 2013.{{Cite web |last=Das |first=Brinda |date=2019-11-30 |title=Building bridges with genres |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2019/Nov/30/building-bridges-with-genres-2069073.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}

Following the band's commercial breakthrough and increased demand for live shows, members put their individual careers on hold and focused on the Thaikkudam Bridge.{{Cite news |date=2014-10-16 |title=Let the music play |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/let-the-music-play/article6506833.ece |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

Formed in 2013, They began making songs with the music Television channel Kappa TV. Their first YouTube release was the cover for Michael Jackson's song "Beat It" which was performed by their former member Piyush Kapoor tribute to Michael Jackson's birthday. Later, Along with Kappa TV's Music Mojo, they released Nostalgia, featuring melodies of the popular 80s and 90s Malayalam Movie Songs "Mandara Cheppundo", "Panchakkarikkaaya Thattil", "Allimalarkavil", "Chinkarakinnaram". The track Nostalgia first went viral on social media.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Anu |date=2017-01-20 |title=AR Rahman, Kamal Haasan, other celebs all praise for Thaikkudam Bridge's new Navarasam video song |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kamal-haasan-other-celebs-all-praise-thaikkudam-bridges-new-navarasam-video-song-712900 |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.ibtimes.co.in |language=en}}

On 30 August 2013, Their debut original composition, "Fish Rock," was released on, during the Kappa TV's "Music Mojo" session. The song is also popularly known by the lyrics "Ayela, mathi, choora, kaari...".{{Cite news |date=2013-09-25 |title=A different kettle of fish |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/a-different-kettle-of-fish/article5167510.ece |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} The song gained significant popularity on social media, particularly on YouTube, which led to achieving their first commercial success. They were soon invited to perform at colleges and major events.{{Cite web |date=2013-10-10 |title=Listen: "Fish Rock" By Thaikkudam Bridge |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/listen-fish-rock-by-thaikkudam-bridge/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}

Following the success, They released their first debut studio album Navarasam in 2015, featuring nine songs, on various themes such as political satire, social inequality and historic stories from the Mughal era. It is a multi-lingual studio album where the songs are in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi languages.{{Cite news |date=2015-10-08 |title=The big debut |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/thaikkudam-bridge-on-their-debut-album/article7738818.ece |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |last1=beehype |last2=Mridul |first2=Akshit |date=2017-03-23 |title=India: Thaikkudam Bridge - "Navarasam" |url=https://beehy.pe/thaikkudam-bridge-navarasam-india/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=beehype – Best Music from Around the World}} The music videos for the tracks "Aarachar", "One", "Sulthan" and the title track "Navarasam" were released and became popular among audiences.{{Cite web |title=Thaikkudam Bridge's 'Aarachar' raises the bar for music videos |url=https://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/news/160219-thaikkudam-bridges-aarachar-raises-bar-music |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.radioandmusic.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-10-19 |title=Know your Track with Thaikkudam Bridge |url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/know-your-track-with-thaikkudam-bridge |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Red Bull |language=en}} Before the release of their debut album, they released their first independent single "Chathe" after the Music Mojo sessions with Kappa TV. Later, It was included in the album Navarasam.{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Chokita |date=2023-06-23 |title=From the hearts of Thaikkudam Bridge: Exploring discography, eclectic legacy, and unforgettable melodies |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2023/Jun/23/from-the-hearts-of-thaikkudam-bridge-exploring-discography-eclectic-legacy-and-unforgettable-melo-50256.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Indulgexpress |language=en}}

Later in 2015, The band composed the song "Theevandi" to the soundtrack of the film "Haram". This marked their debut in composing music for a Fahadh Faasil starring feature film "Haram" which was released on 20 February 2015.{{Cite news |date=2017-01-16 |title=Siddharth Menon excited about Haram |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/siddharth-menon-excited-about-haram/articleshow/44995815.cms |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

In 2017, the band's co-founder, Siddharth Menon, took a hiatus from the group. This was followed by an official announcement of his departure to pursue a solo career.{{Cite news |date=2017-02-26 |title=Siddharth Menon of Thaikkudam Bridge plans to take a break from performing for a while! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/siddharth-menon-of-thaikkudam-bridge-plans-to-take-a-break-from-performing/articleshow/57107980.cms |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

In March 2018, the band were invited to perform live at YouTube FanFest in Bangalore, an event featuring Indian YouTube creators hosted by YouTube, alongside Kappa TV.{{Citation |title=Thaikkudam Bridge with Kappa TV @ YouTube FanFest Showcase Bengaluru 2018 | date=17 July 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnLksBoyokw |access-date=2024-03-24 |language=en}}

Following the success of their first album "Navarasam", The band's second studio album, "Namah", was released in 2019. Recording began in 2017. "Namah" is a concept album conceived as a tribute to the various artists who influenced the band's music.{{Cite web |title=Inside Thaikkudam Bridge's new album Namah, a collaboration-heavy tribute to their musical influences |url=https://firstpost.com/entertainment/inside-thaikkudam-bridges-new-album-namah-a-collaboration-heavy-tribute-to-their-musical-influences-7904591.html |website=Firstpost}} The album release coincided with the promotional concert from the band held at Forum Shantiniketan Mall in Bangalore.{{Cite web |last=Shefeek |first=Afrin |date=2019-11-30 |title=Namah, saluting the luminary |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/music/301119/namah-saluting-the-luminary.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}

In late 2019, the band received the "Most Popular Musical Band" Award at the Behindwoods Gold Mic Music Awards. The band also included a live tribute performance by the band in honor of A. R. Rahman.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-07 |title=Thaikkudam Bridge {{!}} Behindwoods Gold Mic Music Awards - Winners who bagged laurels! |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/winners-at-the-behindwoods-gold-mic-music-awards-2019/thaikkudam-bridge-wins-award-for-the-most-popular-musical-band.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Behindwoods}}

The same year, They won the Best Band Award in the World Music Stage Category and Best Emerging Artiste at Summerfest 2019 Edition.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-22 |title=Forum Shantiniketan presents Thaikkudam Bridge who will be performing live and launching their new album "Namah" on 30th November 2019 at 7PM at Forum Shantiniketan Mall, Whitefield Bangalore. |url=https://indiannewz.wordpress.com/2019/11/22/forum-shantiniketan-presents-thaikkudam-bridge-who-will-be-performing-live-and-launching-their-new-album-namah-on-30th-november-2019-at-7pm-at-forum-shantiniketan-mall-whitefield-bangalore/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=INDIAN NEWZ |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ferreira |first=Verus |title=Musicunplugged.in : interviews |url=https://www.musicunplugged.in/interviews/interviews_info/148/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.musicunplugged.in |language=en}}

The 2022 Kannada movie Kantara has a track named Varaha Roopam, which garnered a lot of publicity and popularity for its compelling music, visuals, and folk fusion. Social media users started noticing and pointing out this track had a resemblance to the 2017 track Navarasam.

Critics have referred to the musical and thematic similarities of the two tracks. Members of the band took notice as well, to quote one of the band members:
"Initially, we were okay with it as some songs do have similarities at times. However, the comments, messages and calls didn’t stop. In fact, thousands of comments were deleted on Varaha Roopam’s video. We still gave it time, listened to it a number of times and made sure of the similarities." {{Cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/music/kantara-song-row-thaikkudam-bridge-frontman-speaks-up-101667203020289.html | title=Kantara song row: Thaikkudam Bridge frontman speaks up | newspaper=The Hindustan Times | date=2022-10-31 | first=Aayushi | last=Parekh}}

They filed a legal copyright lawsuit against the makers of Kannada Film ‘Kantara’, Hombale Films, on the allegations of plagiarism against the song "Varaha Roopam". The band’s management claimed that Varaha Roopam had infringed copyright laws by copying tracks from their debut album Navarasam.{{Cite news |date=2022-10-25 |title='Kantara' makers face allegations of plagiarism, Kerala band Thaikkudam Bridge to sue for copyright infringement |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/kantara-makers-face-allegations-of-plagiarism-kerala-band-thaikkudam-bridge-to-sue-for-copyright-infringement/article66052469.ece |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} Later, The Kozhikode District court passed an injunction order against Hombale Films based on a suit filed by the band leading to prohibiting from playing its song Varaha Roopam in theaters, and on OTT and digital platforms.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-14 |title=Kerala court prohibits use of Varaha Roopam in theatres, digital streaming platforms |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/kerala-court-prohibits-use-of-varaha-roopam-in-theatres-digital-streaming-platforms-8556373/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

The Band has 15 members consists of musicians from various parts of India who contribute their own style and influences to the ensemble.{{Cite web |title=Profiles – Thaikkudam Bridge |url=https://thaikkudambridge.com/profiles/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Know Your Artists-Thaikkudam Bridge |url=https://events.kushlosh.com/know-your-artists-thaikkudam-bridge/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=KushLosh - Media & More |language=en-GB}}

• Peethambaran Menon - Vocalist
• Govind Vasantha - Vocalist, Violinist, Music Producer & Founder
• Mithun Raju - Lead Guitarist
• Anish TN - Drummer
• Ashok Betty Nelson - Rhythm Guitarist
• Vian Fernandes - Bass, Vocals
• Ruthin Thej - Keyboard
• Anish Krishna - Vocalist
• Krishna Bongane - Vocalist
• Nila Madhav Mohapatra - Vocalist
• Vipin Lal - Vocalist
• Christin Jose - Vocalist
• Amith Bal Kenath - Sound Engineer
• Rajan K.S - Sound Engineer
• Hemanth K - Sound Engineer

• Siddharth Menon - Founder, Vocalist
• Piyush Kapoor - Vocalist
• Abin Thej - Drummer

The band is managed exclusively by Wonderwall Media Pvt. Ltd., a creative entity based in Kochi.{{Cite web |title=Artists |url=https://www.wonderwall.media/artists |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Wonderwall |language=en}} The band’s management team includes Sujith Unnithan, and Lakshmi Venugopal.

They have performed live in over 25 countries and having played more than 600 shows as of 2024 ^{as per the band's website}.{{Cite web |title=Thaikkudam Bridge - Events |url=https://thaikkudambridge.com/events/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |language=en-US}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://thaikkudambridge.com/}}
• [https://www.instagram.com/thaikkudambridge/ Instagram]

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Category:Indian rock music groups

Category:Musical groups established in 2013

Category:Music bands from Kerala

Category:2013 establishments in Kerala

Category:Indian musical groups