Mandar Agashe is a well-known singer-composer in Hindi, Marathi and Western music circles. He started off as a music director when his song "Khulya Khulya Re" was sung by Asha Bhosale for the Marathi film "Hee Geet Jivanaache" in 1996. Hearing the legendary voice sing his tune was a breathtaking experience for him. The next year he worked on the album "Achanak", a pioneering effort in Marathi ghazals that he conceptualised with renowned poet Suresh Bhat. None other than Udit Narayan, Mandar's favourite singer, was happy to lend his vocals to a Marathi song, the first time ever! When asked why he chose Mandar, a 'new' music director to enter the Marathi field, Udit replied that an artist is either good or bad and never new or old. Udit liked Mandar's music, so he chose to sing "Haravale".
Mandar was catapulted to stardom when in 1998 he released the Indi-pop album "Nazar Nazar" in which he doubled as composer and singer. His video Nazar Nazar was a super hit in all major TV music channels and remains his most famous song. From the same album are the songs "Chhodo Janam" and "Jane Na Jane Na" that features Mahalaxmi Iyer on vocals.
In 2002, he surprised his Indi-pop fans by releasing the eponymous English album, a refreshing blend of modern musical textures and good ol' rock and roll. The songs in the album are simple and straightforward, with unpretentious vocals and a strong backbeat. "Oceans" is a poignant song that takes you back in time, when the music of bands like the Beatles was evolving into greater beauty.
With the recently recorded techno-trance "I Need Someone" and the rustic 'tapori' song "Chal Ga Pori", a duet with new talent Jiza, Mandar continues his eclectic forays in music.
You can visit his website www.mandaragashe.com to download some of his songs.