Template:Infobox musical artist Antariksh is an Indian pop and progressive rock band with Hindustani classical elements,[1] founded and fronted by guitar player, singer and producer, Varun Rajput.[2] The band is known for the song "Quest" featuring former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman.[3] Based in New Delhi, their name roughly translates to "The Cosmos."[4]
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.[5] 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.Template:Citation needed 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.[6]
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.Template:Citation needed 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.Template:Citation needed 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.'[4]
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.[6]
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
- ↑ “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(18 March 2026). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ Interview: Progressive Rock Meets Indian Sounds on Antariksh’s Quest. ETV Bharat(December 24, 2024). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ Antariksh collaborates with former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. We speak to the artistes..., Maareesha, Anagha. Indulge Express. The New Indian Express Group (TNIE)(28 Jan 2021).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Antariksh charts a cosmic journey through its new concept album Rehguzar. The New Indian Express Indulge(27 March 2026). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ Antariksh. Platform Magazine(2020). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Delhi-based Hindi rock fusion band Antariksh performs in Texas. Telegraph India(11 September 2025). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 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. The Hindu(26 August 2016).
- ↑ 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(15 September 2015).
- ↑ Antariksh: A band devoted to making soulful melody in the times of mishmash Hindi music. www.nationalheraldindia.com. National Herald(13 September 2018).
- ↑ Hindi Prog-rock Band Antariksh Release Debut Album Titled Khoj. www.rsjonline.com. Rock Street Journal.
- ↑ Baiju Dharmajan Forms A New Band With Kolkata Musicians. Rolling Stone India(12 September 2013). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ 'Kaahe Re' by Delhi-based Hindi rock band Antariksh. www.ahumminggheart.com. A Humming Heart(20 August 2018).
- ↑ BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender: Meghalaya Hills Echo With Music of Varied Genres. The Sentinel(2 Nov 2019). Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ NH7 Weekender Shillong 2019: Happiest Music Festival in Meghalaya. The Sentinel(30 October 2019).
- ↑ Antariksh’s ‘Quest’: A Musical Odyssey of Self-Discovery. The Indian Music Diaries(January 15, 2025). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ Delhi Rock Band Antariksh Bring Marty Friedman On Board For Quality New Single. RSJ Online(January 21, 2024). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ Antariksh frontman Varun Rajput excited about his upcoming album: ‘All of this is me’. Hindustan Times(13 January 2026). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ New Delhi prog rock band Antariksh return with new single “Naaqis”. Front View Magazine(1 March 2026). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ Madagascar: Indian rock group performs at cultural event(Oct 22, 2019). Syndicated by Business Standard India.
- ↑ Indian evening music on 21st October, at 6:30 pm. Embassy of India, Antananarivo, Madagascar(October 17, 2019).