MELODIES OF MEMORIES

A decade since his debut album, Kaber Vasuki recounts his journey, an artiste's role as a healer, and the need to be authentic

- DIYA MARIA GEORGE

IN the alleys of Tamil indie music, Kaber Vasuki has always been more of a phenomenon than a conventional artiste. He's the kind of musician whose songs seep into your soul during long midnight drives, his lo-fi charm unspooling stories of vulnerability, and rebellion.

For ten years now, since the brilliance of his debut album Azhagu Puratchi, Kaber has been crafting a soundscape that feels as intimate as it is experimental. With his new album Kaalame Kalipputhaan, a four-track EP featuring the songs Thirikilli, Varamum Saabamum, Ragasiyangal, and Naan Yen Ippadi Irukken, Kaber continues to redefine the contours of indie music.

On December 25, the music video for Varamum Saabamum, featuring San-T, directed by Balaji Kombiah, is set to drop on KYN Records. "I think it's going to be a treat for Tamil indie music lovers. The song already has an excited fanbase, and I'm pumped for everyone to experience the video," Kaber shares.

Beyond this, he hints at a packed 2025, filled with indie and cinema releases that promise to push the boundaries of his artistry further.

Excerpts:

You draw inspiration from lyricists like Kannadasan, Vaali, and artistes like Green Day and Kanye. How do you balance these vastly different influences while keeping your work authentically Tamil?

My mother's 'thalaatu' when she nursed me as a baby was in Tamil. My father sang Kannadasan and Pattukottai songs to me when I played catch with him as a kid. My grandfather quoted Bharathiyar and Valluvar while helping me on my 23rd attempt to build a hovercraft out of packaging thermocol and spare parts from broken toys. When I make love to my wife, it's in Tamil. When I cuddle and kiss my children, I tell them the world is theirs in Tamil.