The Casteless Collective

The Casteless Collective is a Chennai based Tamil-Indie band. The band was formed in the year 2017, with support from the Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam started by Pa. Ranjith, and Tamil-Indie Musician and Composer, Tenma founder of the label Madras Records.[1][2][3] The band's name originates from the usage, Jaathi Illadha Tamizhargal, a phrase coined by 19th century anti caste activist and writer C. Iyothee Thass, who urged Dalits across Tamilnadu to register themselves without caste.[4] The band's music is political, and their songs rebel against the inequality of the caste system, and the oppression of women and minorities by the state.[5][6][7]

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

The current lineup consists of 19 members including Tenma, leader and music producer, singers Muthu, Bala Chandar, Isaivani, Arivu and Chellamuthu, Dharani (Dholak), Sarath (Satti), Gautham (Katta molam), Nandan (Parai and Tavil), Manu Krishnan (drums) and Sahib Singh (guitar).[4][8]

As of November 2019, the band had released thirty-five songs.[9]

Early years and band formation

Tenma, the leader and the music producer of the band was trying to put together a group of indie musicians and artists, the Madras Indie Collective, in 2017. At this time, he received a call from Neelam spearheaded by Pa. Ranjith, enquiring if he could train Gaana singers and musicians from the Gaana genre. Within a week, they put out calls for an audition and received about 150 applications. Since the band was embarking on a socio-political journey, the auditions were looking to understand the motivations of the performers, as much as their musical strengths. A blend of Gaana, hip-hop, rock, rap, and folk musicians were brought into the fold. About 19 singers were brought together to form the initial ensemble.[4][10]

Singles
  • Jai Bhim Anthem - 2018 [11]
  • Quota - 2018 [5]
  • Magizhchi - 2018
  • Vada Chennai - 2018
  • Thalaiva - 2019
  • Dabba Dabba - 2019

Albums
  • Magizhchi - 2018 [12]
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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. T.M, Krishna. "Our music is about raw, primal instinct: The Casteless Collective". The Hindu.
  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.
  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. Senthalir, S. "An anti-caste collective challenges oppression through music". The Caravan. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  9. "Wake-up songs: Across the south, bands are using folk to rock the boat". Hindustan Times. 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  10. "Want to add power to human dignity: Rapper Arivu on 'Vanakkam Virus' and his art". The news minute. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  11. Sriram, Abhinaya (2018-05-21). "Madras Medai: on stage, everyone's equal". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  12. Nath, Parshathy J. (2018-03-06). "The Casteless Collective: When equal voices sing for equality". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
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