PQRS1 at 19:23, 8 April 2026

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{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Madhukar C. Dhas
| image = Madhukar C Dhas Atomic Forest Vocalist.jpg
| alt = Madhukar C. Dhas was the original singer of one of India's premier Rock and Roll bands, The Atomic Forest
| caption = Madhukar C. Dhas was the original singer of one of India's premier Rock and Roll bands, Atomic Forest
| birth_name = Ebenezer Madhukar Chandra Dhas
| alias = Madhukar Dhas, Madhu Dhas, Madooo, Madhukar Chandra Das
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1949|10|25}}
| birth_place = India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|04|17|1949|10|25}}
| death_place = Philadelphia, USA
| module =
{{Infobox musical artist
|embed = yes
| origin = [[Chennai|Madras]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| genre = [[Rock and Roll]], [[Psychedelic rock]], [[Gospel Music|Gospel]]
| associated_acts = [[The Voodoos]], [[Atomic Forest]], [[Jesus Christ Superstar]]
| occupation = Singer, songwriter, record producer, art director
| instrument = Guitar, Singing,
| years_active = 1960s–present
| label = [[MADOOO Records]]
| past_member_of = [[The Voodoos]], [[Atomic Forest]],
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20240423161012/https://www.bigdooker.com/ bigdooker.com archived]
}}
| relatives = Sophia Chandra Dhas (wife), Aiesha Chandra Dhas (daughter), Devasahayam Manohar Chandra Dhas (brother), John Sudhakar Chandradhas (brother), [[Dheena Chandra Dhas]] (brother)
}}

'''Madhukar C. Dhas''' aka Madhu Dhas & [[Madooo]], born Madhukar Chandra Dhas (25 October 1949 - April 17, 2024), was a singer, songwriter and performer of Indian origin, based in New York City. He was best known for his performances as lead singer of the Indian Rock band [[Atomic Forest]] in the 1970s,<ref>{{cite news |title=Seventies Obsession: Mumbai's Atomic Forest and the Original Hipster Era |first=Rahul |last=Verma |url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/seventies-obsession-mumbais-atomic-forest-and-the-original-hipster-era/ |magazine=Rolling Stone India |date=21 April 2012 |department=Features |accessdate=14 October 2013}}</ref> and for his portrayal of Jesus<ref>{{cite web |last=Bhende |first=Nandu |title=JCS-Excerpts from reviews |url=http://members.tripod.com/nandu_bhende/theatre/jcs/jcs_03.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305072022/http://members.tripod.com/nandu_bhende/theatre/jcs/jcs_03.html |archive-date=2016-03-05 |accessdate=14 October 2013 |website=Nandu Bhende}}</ref> in [[Alyque Padamsee]]'s production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

He was the elder brother of singer and actor, [[Dheena Chandra Dhas]].

== Biography ==

=== Early Years – Madras, India ===
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]]",<ref name="af-int">{{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}}</ref> with classmate [[Sukumar Nambiar]], son of actor [[M. N. Nambiar]] at [[M. C. C. Higher Secondary School|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|thumbnail|left|Madhukar as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Bombay, 1974.]]

=== Move to Bombay – Atomic Forest ===
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> in 1972.

Atomic Forest performed at ''The Sneha Yatra Festival''<ref>{{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}}</ref> (aka) 'The Indian Woodstock' and were regular fixtures at prominent clubs and discos such as ''Slip Disc'',<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''Blow Up'' at ''[[The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel]]'' and ''Hell'' at ''Hotel Hilltop'' in Mumbai.<ref name="af-int" /> Their album Obsession '77 was re-released in 2011.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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<ref>{{cite web |title=Recording: Madhukar Chandra Dhas – Close-Up | via=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quN8HK55ghM |accessdate=4 July 2020}}</ref> that played across India at all movie houses for 8 years.

=== Acting ===
The Creative Director of his at Lintas:India, [[Alyque Padamsee]], who was also a theatrical producer, cast Madhukar in the title role<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref name="mansowrld">{{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}}</ref> of his 1974 production of the musical '[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]' as Jesus<ref>{{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 }}</ref> opposite [[Nandu Bhende]]'s Judas. The show ran to packed houses at Birla Hall.

Madhukar performed the role for a year and a half,<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="mansowrld" />

Sidharth Bhatia's book on Indian Rock music<ref name=mid-day-india-psy>{{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}}</ref> in the 1960s and 70s, entitled "India Psychedelic – The Story of a Rocking Generation<ref>{{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}}</ref> " has quite a few pages dedicated to Madhukar Dhas.

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

== Solo albums ==
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.

== Discography ==

=== As Madooo ===

==== This Day is Forever (2002) ====
# This Day Is Forever – Radio Mix
# America Forever
# The Times They Are A-Changin' (Bob Dylan)
# A Dose of You
# I'll Be Myself
# With a Little Help from My Friends (Lennon-McCartney)
# Follow Me
# "[[Love Me Do]]" (Lennon-McCartney)
# I'll Be By Your Side
# I Need You Baby
# "[[Got to Get You into My Life]]" (Lennon-McCartney)
# I Only Want to Say (Gethsemane) From Jesus Christ Superstar
# Help Me Get Home
# This Day Is Forever – ''Extended Mix''

==== To The "Fab Four" From Liverpool ... A Tribute From India (2004) ====
# Norwegian Wood 4:59
# You've Got To Hide Your Love Away 3:38
# Ob-la-di Ob-la-da 3:53
# If I Needed Someone 2:57
# You Can't Do That 3:39
# Love Me Do 3:27
# Got To Get You into My Life 4:51
# Across The Universe 3:52
# With A Little Help From My Friends 3:56
# [[I Saw Her Standing There]] 4:27
# Things We Said Today 3:23
# John Lennon Tribute-Imagine/GivePeace/Watchin' the Wheels 5:23
# Norwegian Wood – Radio Edit 3:58
# Got To Get You into My Life – Radio Edit 4:08
# I Saw Her Standing There – Radio Edit 3:39
# John Lennon Tribute – Radio Edit 4:33

=== With Atomic Forest ===

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

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20240423161012/https://www.bigdooker.com/ bigdooker.com archived]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20240809001411/https://www.madooo.com/ Madooo.com (official site) archived]
* [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]]

Madhukar C. Dhas - Revision history

PQRS1 at 19:23, 8 April 2026