Antariksh

Antariksh
OriginNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Genres
Years active2012–present[1]

Antariksh is an Indian pop and progressive rock band with Hindustani classical elements,[2] founded and fronted by guitar player, singer and producer, Varun Rajput.[3] The band is known for the song "Quest" featuring former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman.[4] Based in New Delhi, their name roughly translates to "The Cosmos."[5]

History

Early years

From 2006 to 2008, during their college days, Varun Rajput and Mridul Ganesh played in a local Progressive Rock band called Feedback, with Gurtej Singh playing for Prestorika around the same time.[6] A few years later, both Mridul and Varun decided to quit their management consulting jobs around the same time in 2012 to work on more creative projects. During this time Varun and Gurtej had also been having conversations about starting a new project and were wanting to get back to music. The three of them then decided to get together and formally founded the band in 2012.[1]

They released their first song, ‘Dheere Dheere’ in January 2013.[7] This propelled the trio to record a full-length album and find a drummer and a bass player to begin playing live. To fill the role, they found Vipul Malhotra. Vipul was studying at NSIT at the time and was fit for the group. Finally, Varun asked his friend Raghav Verma to join the team.[7][8]

With the group finally complete, they recorded and produced an album during the summer of 2013 for their new band ‘Antariksh’.[9]

Debut album, 2013

After one year of the band coming together they released their debut album, titled Khoj, on 8 September 2013. The album was a blend of pop, rock, funk, and progressive sounds, featuring 11 tracks, mixed at the Quarter Note Studio by Gaurav Chintamani, and mastered by Steve Nagasaki at Nagasaki Sound, USA.[10] It included the song "Tum," a collaboration with guitarist Baiju Dharmajan.[11]

In November 2015, they were featured on Season 4 of Music Mojo, a popular music show on Kappa TV which features live renditions of 11 songs performed by the band.[7]

2018–2024: Quest

In 2018, Antariksh released their single ‘Kaahe Re’ in association with Mrrcury Studios and Anhad Music. Kaahe Re has received praise for its rhythmic syncopation, melodic prowess and anthem riffs. [12]

In 2019, Antariksh performed at the 10th edition of the Bacardi NH7 Weekender in Meghalaya.[13][14]

In 2024, they released their second album album Quest, which includes 'Kaahe Re' and a title song featuring Marty Friedman.[15][16]

2025–present

In late 2025, Antariksh dropped "Udaan," a single from their upcoming album Rehguzar[17]. In 2026, they released another single for the album, 'Naaqis' featuring Polish guitarist Jakub Zytecki.[18] Rehguzar is a 12-track concept album that takes its name from an Urdu word meaning 'the path one walks.'[5]

International presence

In October 2019, Antariksh went on its first international multi-city tour of Mauritius and Madagascar. They played at various venues in Mauritius, which included the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture, Centre de Flacq and Triolet. In Madagascar they performed for Indian audiences at an event organized by the embassy of India in the Ampefiloha Plaza in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.[19][20]

In September 2025, Antariksh went on a 3 city tour of the USA, performing a total of 6 concerts in Seattle, Houston and Dallas, drawing participation from the Indian-American diaspora and the wider community.[1]

Discography

Albums

  • Khoj (2013)
  • Quest (2024)

Singles

  • "Dastan-E-Dil (Shine Your Light)" (2023)
  • "Tasveerein" (2024)
  • "Karwaan" (2024)
  • "Sabki Kahani" (2025)
  • "Udaan" (2025)
  • "Naaqis" (2026)
  • "Aashayein" (Live) (2020)

References

  1. ^ a b c "Delhi-based Hindi rock fusion band Antariksh performs in Texas". Telegraph India. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  2. ^ Sharma, Sarthak (18 March 2026). ""You'd be blown away listening to Jakub in a completely new avatar" – In Conversation With Antariksh and Jakub on single 'Naaqis'". The Indian Music Diaries. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  3. ^ Fernandes, Kasmin (24 December 2024). "Interview: Progressive Rock Meets Indian Sounds on Antariksh's Quest". ETV Bharat. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  4. ^ Maareesha, Anagha (28 January 2021). "Antariksh collaborates with former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. We speak to the artistes..." Indulge Express. The New Indian Express Group (TNIE).
  5. ^ a b Kundu, Anoushka (27 March 2026). "Antariksh charts a cosmic journey through its new concept album Rehguzar". The New Indian Express Indulge. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  6. ^ "Antariksh". Platform Magazine. 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  7. ^ a b c Fatima, Syeda (26 August 2016). "Slow and Steady: Varun Rajput, the founder of Antariksh band, talks about the contemplative nature of their songs and why do they wear formals during performances". Metroplus. The Hindu. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  8. ^ Misra, Sudisha (15 September 2015). "Home Features In conversation with Delhi-based rock band Antariksh antariksh by Mridul Kumar IN CONVERSATION WITH DELHI-BASED ROCK BAND ANTARIKSH". www.dubeat.com. DU Beat. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  9. ^ Saxena, Pragati (13 September 2018). "Antariksh: A band devoted to making soulful melody in the times of mishmash Hindi music". www.nationalheraldindia.com. National Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  10. ^ Varma, Aditya. "Hindi Prog-rock Band Antariksh Release Debut Album Titled Khoj". www.rsjonline.com. Rock Street Journal. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  11. ^ Mahindru, Megha (12 September 2013). "Baiju Dharmajan Forms A New Band With Kolkata Musicians". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  12. ^ Bishnoi, Priyadarshani (20 August 2018). "'Kaahe Re' by Delhi-based Hindi rock band Antariksh". www.ahumminggheart.com. A Humming Heart. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  13. ^ Sentinel Digital Desk / A Reporter (2 November 2019). Written at Shillong, Meghalaya. "BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender: Meghalaya Hills Echo With Music of Varied Genres". The Sentinel. Assam?, North-East India: Omega Printers & Publishers Pvt. Ltd. Factiva SENTNL0020191103efb30002v (via Contify.com). Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  14. ^ "NH7 Weekender Shillong 2019: Happiest Music Festival in Meghalaya". The Sentinel. Assam state, India: Omega Printers & Publishers Pvt Ltd. 30 October 2019. Factiva SENTNL0020191031efau00005 (via Contify.com).
  15. ^ Odedara, Harita (15 January 2025). "Antariksh's 'Quest': A Musical Odyssey of Self-Discovery". The Indian Music Diaries. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  16. ^ Raman, Madhusudan (21 January 2024). "Delhi Rock Band Antariksh Bring Marty Friedman On Board For Quality New Single". RSJ Online. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  17. ^ Goyal, Samarth (13 January 2026). "Antariksh frontman Varun Rajput excited about his upcoming album: 'All of this is me'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  18. ^ "New Delhi prog rock band Antariksh return with new single "Naaqis"". Front View Magazine. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  19. ^ "Madagascar: Indian rock group performs at cultural event". Antananarivo, Madagascar. Asian News International (ANI). 22 October 2019. Factiva HNASNI0020191022efam001rz (via HT Digital Content Services). Syndicated by Business Standard India.
  20. ^ "Indian evening music on 21st October, at 6:30 pm". News. Embassy of India, Antananarivo, Madagascar. 17 October 2019. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025.
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