Pallavaram-based Sudhakar calls himself ‘Gaana Sudhakar’ in his music videos. He has been doing them for a few years now, taking on popular subjects and experimenting with gaana-based songs on them.

The 24-year-old discusses her journey, the politics of patriarchy and caste, and what drives the music of the band she’s in, The Casteless Collective. Isaivani is simultaneously warm and fierce.

The gaana is a popular musical genre in Tamil film music. Usually consisting of lyrics in the Madras baashai, this genre, comprising songs set to foot-tapping local beats, was most popular in the 90s.

CHENNAI: As catchy as ‘Enjoy enjaami’ or ‘Kaathu mela’ may be, these Vada Chennai songs aren’t just entertainment — they’re voices of resistance too. And now, with world tours and global gigs, indie ...