About
Masala Coffee is a Kerala-based folk-fusion band founded in 2014 by percussionist Varun Sunil. Blending South Indian folk with rock, blues, pop and jazz, and singing across Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and other languages, they became one of the most popular live acts in South India and a notable presence in film music.
Founded in 2014 by percussionist Varun Sunil, Masala Coffee shot to popularity through performances on the television show Music Mojo, where their arrangements of folk songs such as Kaantha went viral. They released their debut album Kimaya (2018), composed and performed for films including Solo, Uriyadi and Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal, and became one of South India's most sought-after live bands, touring in India and abroad. The band has evolved through line-up changes while keeping its founder-led folk-fusion identity.
The artistry
Masala Coffee's music, as the name suggests, is a warm blend: South Indian folk melody and poetry stirred through rock, blues, reggae and pop, driven by Varun Sunil's percussion and a rotating ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists. They came to fame reworking popular folk songs into contemporary arrangements and have built a reputation as a high-energy, foot-tapping live band with wide multilingual appeal.
[Atlas Perspective] Masala Coffee is a reliable, high-energy folk-fusion draw with broad multilingual appeal and film-music visibility. For festivals and large events wanting an accessible, popular South Indian band, they are a solid booking.
Masala Coffee has helped keep South Indian folk song alive in popular culture, reworking traditional material for contemporary audiences and carrying it into film and the live circuit. They are part of Kerala's rich lineage of folk-fusion bands and among the most popular of their generation.