• Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Blacksonrise.com
DONATE
  • Home
    • Caribbean
    • African American
    • African
    • Australian
    • Papua New Guinea
  • Videos
    • Blacksonrise Interviews
    • Blacksonrise News
  • Ecourses
  • Herbs
  • Consultation
  • Login
    • LogOut
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • Caribbean
    • African American
    • African
    • Australian
    • Papua New Guinea
  • Videos
    • Blacksonrise Interviews
    • Blacksonrise News
  • Ecourses
  • Herbs
  • Consultation
  • Login
    • LogOut
No Result
View All Result
Blacksonrise.com
No Result
View All Result

12-member group is India’s largest ensemble political band- The New Indian Express

blacksonrise by blacksonrise
November 22, 2020
in African American News
0
12-member group is India’s largest ensemble political band- The New Indian Express
0
SHARES
233
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

You have seen movies and read books about Dr BR Ambedkar. But have you heard a rap based on the story of the jurist, economist, politician and social reformer? Meet The Casteless Collective. The 12-member band is India’s largest ensemble political band. In October, their first track—Jai Bheem Anthem—was released on Spotify. The hip-hop-styled track is a tribute to Ambedkar. Written and performed by rapper, lyricist and singer Arivarasu Kalainesan, simply known as Arivu, the song aims to “take Ambedkar to the younger generation”. “We wanted to do something more contemporary and relevant,” explains Tamil-indie musician and composer Tenma, co-founder and music producer of the band, who, like most of the other band members, uses only his first name.

The band, which performs in Tamil, was formed when filmmaker Pa Ranjith’s organisation, Neelam Cultural Centre, collaborated with Tenma’s label Madras Records. The name—Casteless Collective—comes from a term used by 19th century caste activist Iyothee Thass. The group has rappers, rock musicians and gaana singers—a form of music that is usually identified with funeral music as it is sung only in homes where someone has passed away. Later, this art form came to the stage, but has been much stigmatised for its close relationship with death. Ranjith’s aim was to provide a platform for such marginalised artists.

The Casteless Collective performing on stage

The song ‘Thalaiva’ is sung in this typical gaana way. In the song’s treatment, Tenma says he was inspired by one of his favourite songs—Queen’s ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’. “I wanted our song to be like a rock-folkish anthem,” he says. And, why not? The band borrows from the Black Arts Movement, and the politics of equality. The African American-led Black Arts Movement encompassed the works of a group of politically motivated black poets, artists, dramatists, musicians, and writers. This talented bunch emerged in the wake of the Black Power Movement, somewhere between the 1960s and 1970s.

The Casteless Collective’s next work-in-progress is a song called ‘Vantheri’, meaning immigrants. Tenma describes it as the next step as far as their idea, music and where they’re heading as a band is concerned. For the last year or so, the band has been ideating, brainstorming and building the song. “It is about how slums get displaced and people are left without land. The government wants the land, and the ones who can’t fight back end up being attacked. It’s a very emotional song that connects all of these stories,” says Tenma. Written by Arivu, the song will be performed by him along with Tenma.

Known for using music to question the caste system—and other forms of oppression or inequality—the band sings about Dalit assertion, rights of the LGBTQ+ community and honour killings. During the ongoing pandemic, it continued its mission, posting songs on social media and performing in virtual concerts. In August, the band had its first-ever virtual concert organised jointly by Virtual Now, Troque and Brown Post. For the members, it was a very unique and different experience. “Usually, we’re in front of thousands of people. This was the first time we were just 15 people, including the technical crew, videographers and the audio guys,” says Tenma. In the coming months, they hope to put out some more songs and new shows. 

Credit: Source link

Previous Post

Fremantle's historic Duykfen 'little dove' tall ship replica to relocate east for new chapter in Sydney Harbour

Next Post

Data reveals shocking CQ cervical screening rates

Next Post
Data reveals shocking CQ cervical screening rates

Data reveals shocking CQ cervical screening rates

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

HOT Updates

Cancer deaths down for second year in a row, but impact of COVID remains unknown | WMAY
African American News

Cancer deaths down for second year in a row, but impact of COVID remains unknown | WMAY

January 14, 2021
PBS Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor Plans A Message About “Doing The Right Thing” For EMU MLK Event
African American News

PBS Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor Plans A Message About “Doing The Right Thing” For EMU MLK Event

January 14, 2021
Yogananda Pittman Named Acting Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police
African American Business

Yogananda Pittman Named Acting Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police

January 11, 2021
Ethiopian military kills 15 members of rebellious Tigray forces – SABC News
African News

Ethiopian military kills 15 members of rebellious Tigray forces – SABC News

January 10, 2021
Africa: Innovating for Mothers Challenge launched to improve maternal and newborn health care in Senegal
African News

Africa: How Will Africa Remember Donald Trump? Here Is How

January 15, 2021
Brooklyn Dem Party leader weds compatriot on historic Haitian Independence Day
Caribbean News

Brooklyn Dem Party leader weds compatriot on historic Haitian Independence Day

January 14, 2021
UK economy to take at least two years to return to pre-COVID-19 level – Poll – SABC News
Africa Business

UK economy to take at least two years to return to pre-COVID-19 level – Poll – SABC News

January 15, 2021
I will bring back trade schools
Caribbean Business

I will bring back trade schools

January 10, 2021
Tax Season Starts Feb. 12; You May Be Eligible for More Money
African American Business

Tax Season Starts Feb. 12; You May Be Eligible for More Money

January 16, 2021
Hilton Hotel in Durban closes its doors temporarily – SABC News
Africa Business

Hilton Hotel in Durban closes its doors temporarily – SABC News

January 11, 2021
UNC leader proposes splitting National Security Ministry
Caribbean Business

PAHO received US$263m for covid19 fight

January 15, 2021
Aboriginal Australia News

As stand-in leader, McCormack failed to take a stand in defence of truth and trust | Australian politics

January 15, 2021
‘Vodou Roots’ embraces active living spiral of Black identity, culture
Caribbean News

‘Vodou Roots’ embraces active living spiral of Black identity, culture

January 13, 2021
PNM WINS VOTE – Caribbean Life News
Caribbean News

TENSION AT THE BORDER – Caribbean Life News

January 14, 2021
Melville-Jack to ‘beat and teach’ THA rivals
Caribbean Business

Melville-Jack to ‘beat and teach’ THA rivals

January 13, 2021
GES assures public of COVID-19 safety ahead of re-opening of schools
African News

GES assures public of COVID-19 safety ahead of re-opening of schools

January 16, 2021
Trump directs government to minimize procurement from China – SABC News
Africa Business

Trump directs government to minimize procurement from China – SABC News

January 17, 2021
African American News

Kamala’s Way review: Harris as symbol of hope – and hard politics | Kamala Harris

January 17, 2021
Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving Fined $50,000 For Violating NBA COVID-19 Protocol
African American Business

Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving Fined $50,000 For Violating NBA COVID-19 Protocol

January 16, 2021
Caricom knocks Venezuela over Guyana dispute
Caribbean Business

Caricom knocks Venezuela over Guyana dispute

January 13, 2021

BlackSonRise.com is an online news portal which aims to provide Caribbean News, African News, Business and much more stuff like that. Feel free to get in touch with us!

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • Trump’s last year in office will define his legacy, historians say
  • At least 48 dead in militia attack on El Geneina, West Darfur: SUNA – SABC News
  • WIPA satisfied with health protocols for Bangladesh series

Subscribe NOW

Loading
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2019 Blacksonrise.com is an online news, e-learning, and business website that caters to the global black community.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • Caribbean
    • African American
    • African
    • Australian
    • Papua New Guinea
  • Videos
    • Blacksonrise Interviews
    • Blacksonrise News
  • Ecourses
  • Herbs
  • Consultation
  • Login
    • LogOut

© 2019 Blacksonrise.com is an online news, e-learning, and business website that caters to the global black community.

USD $
  • USD USD $
  • EUR EUR €
  • GBP GBP £