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. 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. 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.
The current lineup consists of 19 members including Tenma, leader and music producer, singers Muthu, Bala Chandar, Isaivani, Arivu and Chellamuthu, Dharani, Sarath, Gautham, Nandan, Manu Krishnan and Sahib Singh.
As of November 2019, the band had released thirty-five songs.

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.

Singles