Conversational and funny — that’s how Aditya Ravindran, co-founder and vocalist of city-based Tamil rock band Pithukuli, describes their music. Founded last year, after Aditya and fellow KM Conservatory student Karthik Manickavasakam composed a folk rock song titled Kadavule for a college concert. “We didn’t expect anything from the audience since the song was written in Tamil, but to our surprise the audience got up and danced to it!,” says Aditya.
The five-piece acoustic band went on to gain more plaudits for the same song when a few producers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) came to record indie bands in the city. This prompted them to continue playing in more concerts and festivals (such as Fete de la Musique and IndiEarth Xchange) after roping in more members — guitarist Sreedev, bassists Prateek Naganatham and Anand Ramesh plus Roshan Singh Chabbara on percussions, who will be replaced by Bishwanath YR for the their upcoming performance at Unwind Center tomorrow.
As not all of their audience know Tamil, Aditya and his team try to keep it simple by composing songs based on some of their daily conversations. “Be it funny statements or serious talks, our songs are inspired from what we talk to each other,” he says, as we recall their last performance at the Covelong Surf Music Yoga festival last month, where they engaged the audience with both Tamil songs and hilarious jokes.
“These interactions with the audience help us better our performances even more,” opines Aditya, adding that they will be officially releasing Kadavule next month.
At Unwind Center. 7 pm. Entry at Rs. 200. Details: 42121631