| Kaber Vasuki | |
| Origin: | Tamilian |
| Birth Place: | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu |
| Birth Date: | 1990 4, df=yes |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Years Active: | 2008–present |
| Label: | Saregama, KYN Records |
| Instrument: | Guitar |
Kaber Vasuki is an independent Tamil Indie music artist, known for his philosophical lyrics and unique approach to storytelling through music.[1]
Vasuki was born in Coimbatore where he spent his schooling and early days.[2] In 2010 Vasuki moved to Chennai.[3] He would go on to produce the first crowdfunded Tamil independent album "Azhaghu Puratchi", and eventually starting the band "Kurangan" with fellow musician Tenma.[4]
Vasuki co-founded the Tamil Indie band Kurangan with Tenma in 2015.[5] The band's formation and evolution represent a key moment in Tamil indie music, with Vasuki being the singer-songwriter in this journey with his simple lyrics in the regional language (Tamil). In November 2016, Members of Kurangan formed Terrace Jams - a space to showcase new local talents - inspiring artists such as Siennor, Othasevuru and Shilpa Natrajan. [6] Despite being disbanded in 2018, Kurangan has a wide fan following today. [7]
In 2021 Vasuki sold a phone demo of his song "Vasanam" as an NFT for 50 Ethereum (ETH), which amounted to nearly 1.5 Crore INR or 200,000USD at the time of the transaction. This event marked a significant development in the digital art and cryptocurrency spaces for Indie artists. [8] [9]
Vasuki's solo work continues to be characterized by introspective lyrics and a willingness to experiment musically. His latest music video "Poi" showcases complex themes such as recovery from toxic relationships and the psychological impacts of social media addiction, framed within the context of contemporary Tamil culture.[10] [11]
Vasuki's work often touches on social and political themes, reflecting a deep commitment to addressing issues that affect society such as the Chennai Poromboke Paadal music video - a joint initiative by T. M. Krishna and environmental activist Nityanand Jayaraman.[12]
His approach to music as a tool for social commentary and change highlights the power of art in influencing societal perspectives and advocating for social justice with songs such as "Pidikkum" and "Okhahoma" promoting LGBT awareness.
Vasuki's discography includes a mix of independent singles and film soundtracks. Some of his notable tracks include "The Poramboke Song" [13] and "Vasanam," with the latter being a reflective piece on changing attitudes and missed opportunities for expression.
| Year | Album | Track Listing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Azhagu Puratchi (first crowdfunded Tamil Indie Album) [14] |
| |
| 2019 | Kurangan Era (Collection of Songs from 2015 to 2018) | ||
| 2019 | Singles | ||
| 2023 | Singles | Poi, Poi (alternative)[20] [21] |
Vasuki has also made inroads into Kollywood, contributing to soundtracks for movies like "Captain Miller",[22] "Dharala Prabhu", "Rocky" and "Aelay." collaborating with prominent Tamil Musicians such as Sam C. S, Darbuka Siva, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Hiphop Tamizha, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Sean Roldan.
| Year | Movie Name | Track Listing | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Mathuraangalam | Singer | ||
| 2018 | Yaar Ivan | Lyrics | ||
| 2020 | Manusan | Lyrics[23] | ||
| 2020 | Peipasi | Peipasi | Lyrics | |
| 2021 | Magaraasa | Lyrics & Singer | ||
| 2021 | Naan Sinam Ariven, Vanma Padhaiyil | Lyrics & Singer | ||
| 2022 | Duvaa Duvaa, Suzhal – The Whisper of the Vortex | Lyrics | ||
| 2024 | Killer Killer (title track), Un Oliyile | Lyrics[24] |