Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 16: Veteran Indian rock guitarist Mahesh Tinaikar, a founding member of pioneering rock band Rock Machine, later known as Indus Creed, passed away on October 15 at the age of 63. Reports said he died following a heart attack.

Tinaikar played a significant role in the development of Indian rock music after co-founding Rock Machine in 1984. The band featured vocalist Uday Benegal, keyboardist Zubin Balaporia, bassist Mark Selwyn, guitarist Jayesh Gandhi and drummer Mark Menezes.

His demise has prompted tributes from across the music and entertainment industry, with filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and musician Vishal Dadlani among those remembering the veteran guitarist.

Akhtar shared a monochrome photograph of Tinaikar on Instagram with the message, “RIP brother #maheshtinaikar.”

Dadlani also paid an emotional tribute, describing Tinaikar as a legend whose contribution had inspired generations of rock musicians in India. He credited Tinaikar and his fellow band members with helping pave the way for Indian rock music and expressed gratitude for having shared the stage with Indus Creed.

Dadlani also extended his condolences to Tinaikar’s family and bandmates, including Uday Benegal, Mark Selwyn, Zubin Balaporia and Jayesh Gandhi.

Other musicians associated with the band and the Indian music industry, including Shantanu Hudlikar and Farhad Wadia, also paid tribute to the guitarist.

Tinaikar was associated with several popular tracks from the band’s repertoire, including Pretty Child, Trapped, Top of the Rock and Fireflies. His contribution to the pioneering rock group helped shape the Indian rock music scene.