Alva Kuuto Shares New Self-Titled Album
Bangalore-based crew Alva Kuuto, who carry out eclectic folk-rock compositions in Tulu, a Dravidian language that stretches back over 2500 years, has recently released their self-titled eight-track album.
Bangalore-based crew Alva Kuuto, who carry out eclectic folk-rock compositions in Tulu, a Dravidian language that stretches back over 2500 years, has recently released their self-titled eight-track album.
Leave it to Alva Kuuto, which translates to “Alva’s collective” or “group,” to preserve, share, and revitalize culture by hauling forward the ancient South Indian language of Tulu in artistic expression.
Tulu is spoken by folks residing in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasaragod in the states of Karnataka and Kerala, and through this album, the indie outfit takes you on an immersive soundscape embedded in the tales of India’s vast southwestern coastal heritage. Tulu is also listed as “vulnerable” in UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, and this album undoubtedly contributes to its revival and spread across various stages and platforms.
“Our effort as a band is to present the Tulu language and its local narratives in the sound of now,” reads their mission statement.
First on the album is ‘Ashana‘ (Meal), which uncoils with some sort of announcement or proclamation and immediately hooks you in with its lively, bouncy energy and easy-to-follow chorus. The tempo slows down with ‘Ee‘ (You), plugged with acoustic guitar strokes and light instrumentation, marshalled by husky vocal presentation.
‘Gongey‘ (Bogeyman) staunchly delivers on a classic rock number, fortified with upbeat jazz, funk, groovy disco motifs, and a shiny drizzle of brass segments too, courtesy of Rahul Joshua Thomas. This song is marked with flawless bass lines that crisscross with spirited vocals and a funk-rock electric guitar riff.
‘Kaluvey‘ (Thief) cranks up the alternative rock/funk grooves against rhythmic drum patterns, while ‘Pukkele‘ (Coward) delivers an eclectic indie rock ballad, closing out raging guitar action. It is followed by ‘Pageyta Pugey‘ (Smoke of Vengeance), which sits comfortably within the metal, hard rock, and folk rock genres with its fuming guitars and intense drumming.
‘Thedil‘ (Thunder) fuels a fiery rock outing, followed by the album closing ‘Vogat‘ (Riddle), noted by its mesmerizing chord progression and free-flowing classical vocal display. Adding additional depth to the music, band manager Seema Pai and graphic artist Ayan de Choudary created petroglyph or stone inscription illustrations inspired by the Tulu script that correlate to each track on the album.
Formed in 2022, Alva’s Kuuto is anchored by Praveen Alva on vocals/acoustic guitar, Anshuman Upadhyay on drums, Abhilash Shet on bass/backing vocals, and Shashank Kandachar on lead guitars.
In a highly intriguing and informative segment with CreativeMornings, founding member Praveen Alva spoke about his songwriting explorations in Tulu, noting that “For any language to survive, art, architecture, and literature are the only means to pass it forward.”
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