It’s a remarkable scene at Kaber Vasuki’s Oorvalam tour kickoff in Chennai, as an intimate connection sparks between the diminutive stage and the enthusiastic crowd. The camaraderie is palpable; each strum and lyric sung feels like a communal experience, blurring the lines between artist and audience. At the Bharata Kalanjali Natya School in Taramani, on a sweltering evening on May 4, you could almost taste the salty anticipation mixed with the gentle promise of an approaching sea breeze.
Despite the oppressive heat, the crowd — a band of loyal fans rather than mere attendees — is undeterred, fully immersing themselves into songs like ‘Suthanthiram oru dabba’. Some sing with closed eyes, sinking into the music, while others serenade Kaber directly, their eyes open and spirits lifted. The gig unfurls with an easy spontaneity. As the guitarist tweaks his equipment, an elaborate back-and-forth ensues with the audience, punctuated by laughter and gentle mockery. By the time he plays favorites such as ‘Rasathi’ and ‘Rockstar’, the fans are already ahead, singing the opening lines and prompting Kaber to jokingly ask for permission to join in with his own songs. This playful moment cements the evening’s spirit — it’s not just Kaber’s concert; it has become a shared memory.
Kaber’s followers are not just passersby in his musical journey; they hold pieces of his essence within their own stories. Post-concert meet-and-greets reveal their connections: a young woman last year, caught in a torrent of personal turmoil, embraced him, wept, and left a promise to talk another day. These poignant interactions hint at the depth of impact that Kaber’s music has on his fans’ lives — entwining art and experience in a dance as old as time.
Kaber himself muses on this phenomenon. His music often finds listeners in moments of personal upheaval, offering solace and understanding. If one were to categorize his role in a Jungian framework, he suggests, it might be that of ‘the healer’, despite never aiming for such a pigeonhole. His lyrics manage to balance raw emotional honesty with a mischievous playfulness that resonates deeply with his audience.
The artist’s connection to Tamil musical greats, from Kannadasan to Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, alongside Western influences like Green Day and Kanye, have shaped his lyrical approach. These idols, with their blunt, impactful messaging and everyday language, have left a clear imprint on Kaber’s songwriting. Yet, his tracks aren’t impulsively penned; they are the product of meticulous contemplation and refinement. ‘Suthanthiram oru dabba’ took two years of lyrical tinkering before reaching its final form, a testament to Kaber’s dedication to his craft.
As he approaches the decade mark in his career, Kaber sees a repertoire established enough for a proper tour. “I am doing this now because I can,” he states, showcasing a matured confidence. His sights are set on upcoming gigs in Coimbatore on May 11 and Bengaluru on May 18, with the aim to round off the tour with a larger Chennai venue next year.
Beyond live performances, Kaber’s creativity thrives as he juggles roles in film projects like Captain Miller and Aelay, and prepares for the release of four new independent songs under KYNrecords. Audiences can anticipate surprise collaborations woven into these tracks.
His life, split between Chennai and Canada these past five years, has prompted introspection and innovation in his musical process. The temporary disconnect from his audience sparked fears of obsolescence, pushing him to explore new intricacies of songwriting and production. This year’s Oorvalam tour is an affirmation, a rekindling of Kaber’s artistic identity. It’s a declaration of his significance to the Tamil indie rock scene, where each verse and chorus reverberate with the joyful assertion that Kaber Vasuki is indeed, irrefutably, ‘the rockstar’.
For those eager to partake in the Oorvalam experience and witness the dynamism of Kaber Vasuki live, upcoming shows in Coimbatore at the Kasthuri Sreenivasan Auditorium and Bengaluru at Medai – The Stage beckon. Tickets remain available for purchase, inviting supporters new and old to join the lyrical odyssey of one of Tamil indie rock’s most distinguished voices.
