The Casteless Collective

The Casteless Collective is an anti-caste indie band based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The band was formed in 2017 by Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam (Neelam Cultural Center), an initiative of filmmaker Pa. Ranjith.[1][2][3]

The Casteless Collective
OriginChennai, India
GenresTamil- Indie
Years active2017 - present
LabelsIndependent
MembersTenma
Muthu
Bala Chandar
Isaivani
Arivu
Chellamuthu
Dharani
Sarath
Gautham
Nandhan Kalaivanan
Manu Krishnan
Sahib Singh

Early years and band formation

The name of the band was inspired by a phrase – "jaathi bedha matra Tamilargal" – which was coined by Tamil anti-caste activist and writer C Iyothee Thass. He had used it for the first time in his Tamil Journal Tamizhan (1907-1914), in the early twentieth century.[4]

The Casteless Collective's music is socio-political, and their songs rebel against inequality of the caste system, the oppression faced by women and minorities.[5][6][7] The band has thirty-five original songs to its credit, most of which are a blend of Gaana, hip-hop, rock, rap, and folk. [8]

The current lineup consists of 19 members including music producer Tenma, singers Muthu, Bala Chandar, Isaivani, Arivu and Chellamuthu, Dharani (Dholak), Sarath (Satti), Gautham (Katta molam), Nandhan Kalaivanan (Parai and Tavil), Manu Krishnan (drums) and Sahib Singh (guitar).[9][10]

In 2020 Gaana singer, Isaivani, who is the only woman in the band was recognised for her role by the BBC. She was included in the BBC's 100 Women lister, for her pathbreaking role in creating space for women in Gaana, which is otherwise predominantly dominated by men.[11]

Singles
  • Jai Bhim Anthem - 2018
  • Quota - 2018
  • Magizhchi - 2018
  • Vada Chennai - 2018
  • Thalaiva - 2019
  • Dabba Dabba - 2019

Albums
  • Magizhchi - 2018

References
  1. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Pa Ranjith, says music director Tenma". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  2. Kannadasan, Akila (2019-10-26). "One love". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  3. Govindarajan, Vinita. "The Casteless Collective: A music band's debut has caught the attention of Chennai and the internet". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  4. Leonard, Dickens. "The Caste-less Community". Academia.org. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  5. "The Casteless Collective is breaking caste boundaries with its music". Vice.
  6. Rao, Manasa. "Pa Ranjith's 'The Casteless Collective': A coming together of rock, rap, and gaana". The News Minute.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. Daksnamurthy, Aananth (2019-02-22). "IAS aspirant to auto driver — how Chennai's gully boys & girls fight inequality with music". ThePrint. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  8. "Wake-up songs: Across the south, bands are using folk to rock the boat". Hindustan Times. 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  9. T.M, Krishna. "Our music is about raw, primal instinct: The Casteless Collective". The Hindu.
  10. Senthalir, S. "An anti-caste collective challenges oppression through music". The Caravan. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  11. "Gaana singer Isaivani of The Casteless Collective on BBC's '100 Women 2020 list'". The News Minute. 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
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