Motherjane is back with a brand new album and we gotta talk about their best songs since their humble inception!
There are rock bands, and then there’s Motherjane. For a lot of Indian rock lovers, this band is personal, given they were one of the OG modern rock legends from the country. And from the very beginning, they were on a completely different level compared to other contemporary artists of that time. Heavy riffs, Carnatic influences, poetic lyrics, and solos that could genuinely give you goosebumps. The Kochi-based progressive rock maestros built a sound that felt global while owning its Indian roots.
From college festivals to legendary live shows, Motherjane became one of the defining names in Indian progressive rock. Their 2008 album “Maktub” is still considered a landmark release in the scene.
And now that they are back with a whole new record, “Dobāreh“, it has once again become a watershed moment in the history of prog rock in India.
If you’re diving into their discography for the first time, or revisiting them after years, here are a few Motherjane songs that absolutely deserve a spot in your playlist.
1. “Fields of Sound”
This song established Motherjane for who they are for many fans. The opening riff alone feels like a movie, and eventually it completely takes over your brain.
The song is the epitome of how true balance between technicality and “playing with feeling” sounds like. Baiju Dharmajan’s guitar work is out of this world but still not heavily dependent on technical wankery, while Suraj Mani’s vocals glide over the controlled chaos like some spiritual hymn.
This is what makes Motherjane special. Progressive rock that still feels human.
2. “Mindstreet”
“Mindstreet” off their 2001 debut ‘Insane Biography,’ is hypnotic in other words. The song lulls you into its world with dreamy melodies before hitting you with explosive instrumentals. The lyrics are deep and kind of surreal. If existential crisis had a sound, this song would probably be it.
Fans still talk about the Carnatic-inspired guitar slides in this track because honestly, they sound magical.
3. “Broken”
“Broken” is technical but enchanting. It talks about heartbreak, regret, and vulnerability in a way that feels relatable years later.
The music video, featuring Kathakali imagery, added another layer to the song’s identity and became one of the reasons Motherjane stood out visually as well as musically.
The chorus is perfect for screaming into the void during a bad week.
4. “Maktub”
The title track from their best album had to make this list (at this point, I apologize to my readers if I sound too biased towards this album in this article).
“Maktub” is emotional, spiritual and mysterious. The word itself roughly translates to “it is written,” and the song feels like surrendering to fate while still fighting your inner demons.
There’s a beautiful push and pull between calm sections and heavy instrumental bits. This song sounds even better with headphones on during a long car ride.
5. “Chasing the Sun”
One of the brighter and more uplifting tracks compared to some of Motherjane’s heavier material.
This song has an almost adventurous energy to it. It sounds like the soundtrack to leaving your hometown with no plan except figuring life out along the way. The riffs are sharp, the drums are ecstatic, and the chorus stays stuck in your head for hours.
It’s also one of the easiest songs to introduce to someone who’s never heard Indian progressive rock before.
6. “Jihad”
“Jihad” shows Motherjane at their angriest and most politically charged.
The song tackles religious extremism and conflict while mixing aggressive rock sections with Indian musical textures. It’s intense, dramatic, and fearless. Very relatable till date.
What makes it work is that the band never treats the subject superficially. The emotions feels raw, and the instruments add to that tension instead of distracting from it.
7. “Karmic Steps”
This track has some of the best guitar riffs Motherjane has ever produced.
“Karmic Steps” sheds limelight on their progressive side with layered instrumental harmonies and shifting moods. It’s complex and that’s what makes it so fun to listen to. Every section feels purposeful, and the payoff at the end is genuinely satisfying.
Editor’s Pick
Maya
“Maya” was the track Motherjane used in their debut LP, to set the cornerstone for ‘ethnic progressive rock’ music in the country. A gritty bass tone keeps the music moving from one section to the next. A fix of prog rock veiled in the sweet emotions of Indian classical.
“Maya” is a treat you shouldn’t miss as a Motherjane fan! Here is a live rendition played by the band in 2025 at New Delhi’s The Piano Man Jazz Club.
30 Years Later, and They are Still Killing It!
Indian rock might have changed massively over the years, but Motherjane still feels novel because they never chased trends or tried to belong. They laid down the stepping stones for a sound that shaped many of today’s bands. They were the rebels, they were doing it before anyone else and that is their cool quotient. They created a sound that was ambitious and sui generis.
Even now, younger bands across India get inspired by their style, whether it’s the fusion of Indian classical textures with heavy rock or the willingness to make music that’s risky with a satisfactory pay-off and technically daring all at once.
And honestly, few things in Indian rock history still hit harder than hearing a Motherjane guitar solo at full volume.
Read More: Motherjane Returns After 18 Years With New Album ‘Dobāreh’ and Nationwide Tour
