The Casteless Collective

The Casteless Collective is an Indian indie band based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The band was formed in 2017, with support from the Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam started by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith and filmmaker and film composer Tenma, founder of the label Madras Records.[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

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 when he received a call from Neelam's Pa. Ranjith, enquiring if he could train Gaana singers and musicians from the Gaana genre. 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 among the ~19 singers who formed the initial ensemble.[4][5]

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 name of the band was inspired by a phrase – "jaathi bedha matra Tamilargal" – used by Tamil anti-caste activist and writer C Iyothee Thass.[6] Iyothee Thassa Pandithar (1845-1914) was the first to moot the phrase "Jaathi Bedha Matra Tamizhargal" in the early 20th century by publishing the same in his Tamil Journal Tamizhan (1907-1914).[7]

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.[8][9][10] 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), Nandhan Kalaivanan (Parai and Tavil), Manu Krishnan (drums) and Sahib Singh (guitar).[4][11]

As of November 2019, the band had released thirty-five songs.[12] 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 because she inspires others because she has sung and performed for a long time in a space that is dominated by men.[13]

Singles
  • Jai Bhim Anthem - 2018 [14]
  • Quota - 2018 [8]
  • Magizhchi - 2018
  • Vada Chennai - 2018
  • Thalaiva - 2019
  • Dabba Dabba - 2019

Albums
  • Magizhchi - 2018 [15]

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. "Want to add power to human dignity: Rapper Arivu on 'Vanakkam Virus' and his art". The news minute. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  6. Govindarajan, Vinita. "The Casteless Collective: A music band's debut has caught the attention of Chennai and the internet". Scroll.in. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  7. Leonard, Dickens (January 2017). "The Caste-less Community". Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Literature. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  8. "The Casteless Collective is breaking caste boundaries with its music". Vice.
  9. Rao, Manasa (27 December 2017). "Pa Ranjith's 'The Casteless Collective': A coming together of rock, rap, and gaana". The News Minute.
  10. 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.
  11. Senthalir, S. "An anti-caste collective challenges oppression through music". The Caravan. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  12. "Wake-up songs: Across the south, bands are using folk to rock the boat". Hindustan Times. 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  13. "Gaana singer Isaivani of The Casteless Collective on BBC's '100 Women 2020 list'". The News Minute. 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  14. Sriram, Abhinaya (2018-05-21). "Madras Medai: on stage, everyone's equal". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  15. 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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