In the early nineties, the average Bengali youth was restless with the farcical social β political system, the apprehensions of globalization and a sense of alienation. In 1990, the music scene in Bengal was a complete contrast to the present one. Moreover, the average Bengali was not used to the idea of Bangla rock. A very small percentage of the mass would listen to rock music which was essentially in the English language. There was also a severe lack of identification with the local music culture which was only doing English rock music. This led to a sense of dissatisfaction, leaving the youth disoriented and confused. The band name "CACTUS" was derived "from the fact that the music scene was then devoid of life as in a desert". Cactus was formed in 1992. The band has named the likes of Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and many others as their inspiration. Cactus is one the first professional Bangla rock band. The professional debut of the band occurred on 6 March 1993 at Aban Mahal, Kolkata. Cactus have had several line-up changes.
Early years and self-titled debut album (1992β1999)
The self-titled debut album, released in 1999 from HMV, became a rage with a touch of blues and psychedelic rock. With numbers like Brishti, oooh Ma! and Icchamati this album portrayed psychedelia in Bengali music for the first time. Halud pakhi, on the other hand created a long lasting sensation in the contemporary Bengali music scene with its nostalgic feel being perfectly accompanied by Shudhu Tumi Ele Na and Amra Bhishon Eka complimenting the overall mood of the album. They tasted some success when their first self-titled album was released in 1999 by HMV. Line up β Sidhartha Sankar "Sidhu" Ray , Sibaji "Baji" Paul , Sanjay , Kanishka Sarkar ,Shubayan Ganguly , Rajesh Lahiri
In 2002, Cactus composed and performed the score for the Bengali movie Nil Nirjane. The song "Mon" from the soundtrack became extremely popular and is still a crowd favourite. A Hindi version of the song was used as the intro song for Love Story, a TV series in SAB TV. Line up β Sidhartha Sankar "Sidhu" Ray , Sibaji "Baji" Paul , Sanjay Bhattacharya , Kanishka Sarkar , Shubayan Ganguly , Abhijit Barman
''Rajar Raja'' (2002β2004)
The band released its second album titled 'Rajar Raja' in 2004. The band with this album moved ahead and incorporated new sounds. Different genres of music were experimented within the album. Buddho Heshechhen and Lash Kata Ghore being examples of classic rock, flirting with folk rock in 'Bodhu re', while Rajar Raja portrays influences from funk rock. Though this album had new sounds, the nostalgic quotient was very much there with songs like Udaaner Gaan, Krishti, Ude Jete Chay and Kamalar Swami representing blues and the psychedelic facet of the band sound. Line up β Sidhartha Sankar "Sidhu" Ray , Sibaji "Baji" Paul , Sanjay Bhattacharya , Kanishka Sarkar ,Sandip Roy , Abhijit Barman
''Tuchho'' (2004β2008)
The band released its third album, Tuccho, in 2008. The band with this album moved ahead and has incorporated new sounds. Different genres of music were being experimented with in the album. Traces of hard rock was clearly visible. They were then featured in the Rock Street Journal's February 2009 issue. Tuccho contained the hits "Bhalo Theko" and "Rater Pari". line up β Sidhartha Sankar "Sidhu" Ray , Sibaji "Baji" Paul , Allan Ao , Sudipto Banrejee ,Sandip Roy , Sayak Bandyapadhay
"Blah Blah Blah" (2013)
Blah Blah Blah was their fourth album. It was considered a very experimental album for them. Asha Audio produced the album and it was published on 3 October 2013. line up β Sidhartha Sankar "Sidhu" Ray , Sibaji "Baji" Paul , Ritaprabha "Ratul" Ray , Sudipto Banrejee , Sandip Roy , Dibyendu Mukherjee
Musical style and influences
The self-titled album and the two later albums combine soft rock, blues and psychedelic rock. But their last album Tuchho which was known to be the best selling album produced by them had the traces of hard rock although two songs Bhalo Theko and Shabdhane Raasta Perio were more like soft rock.
Band members
;Current members:
Siddhartha Sankar "Sidhu" Ray β vocal, from inception
