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{{Short description | Indian musician and film composer}}
{{Orphan|date=July 2021}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tenma
| image = File:Tenma 02.jpg
| caption = Tenma
| birth_name = Tiburtius Vinodh Rubin
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|05|18}}
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| alma_mater = {{Hlist | [[Loyola College, Chennai]] | [[Point Blank Music School]]}}
| occupation = {{Hlist | [[Musician]] | [[Composer]] | [[Songwriter]] | [[Singer]]}}
| years_active = 2008–present
| website = {{URL|twitter.com/tenmamakesmusic|Personal Twitter}}
}}

'''Tiburtius Vinodh Rubin''', better known professionally as '''Tenma''', is an Indian music producer, singer, composer, bass guitarist, and festival director. He is most well recognized as the co-founder (with [[Pa. Ranjith]]) and leader of the indie band [[The Casteless Collective]] and the now-defunct band Kurangan. In 2019, he debuted as a music director for the Tamil film ''[[Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu]]''. He is the co-founder of Madras Medai, a music festival and conference focusing on the growth of independent music in [[South India]]. He is also the founder of the Madras Indie Collective.

== Early years ==

Tenma grew up in a rough neighbourhood in [[North Chennai]]. He turned to music at an early age and learned to play classical guitar by performing in a number of events from weddings to funerals. He studied at the Don Bosco school in [[Chennai]] and later graduated with bachelor's degree in Visual Communication from [[Loyola College, Chennai]]. He started his music career at the age of 17 as a part of the indie bands '''Public Issue''' and '''Blind Image''' both of whom left a mark in the indie music scene in India in the 2000s. He later went to study Music Production and Sound Engineering in [[London]] at [[Point Blank Music College]].

=== Personal life ===

Tenma cites the manga ''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]'' as the inspiration for his stage name. He says, "I didn’t want caste, religion, and the identity given to me at birth. I didn’t want my family name because that’s a different person. He lived without knowing anything. Tenma at least knows something. I read this Manga book called Monster. The protagonist’s name is Kenzo Tenma, a very hopeful character. I love him. So, I named myself after him."

== Career ==

=== Kurangan ===

[[Tenma]] started the band Kurangan with Kaber Vasuki, a singer, and songwriter. Tenma met Kaber when he was fundraising for his album ''Azhagu Puratchi''. Tenma had the vision to take the music forward, so he called Kaber and produced the album. The band became popular after performances such as appearances on [[Kappa TV]] and Terrace Jams.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kurangan-tamil-rock-music-band-offers-fresh-alternative-51798|title=Kurangan- A fresh alternative|date=2016-10-23|work=The News Minute|access-date=2016-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/598071/ideas-daily-life.html|title=A band with ideas from daily life|date=2017-02-24|work=Deccan Herald|access-date=2017-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/magazine/820769/meet-kurangan-a-chennai-pop-rock-band-making-tamil-music-deep-again|title=Meet Kurangan|date=2016-11-16|work=Scroll|access-date=2016-11-16}}</ref> They produced multiple songs that became very popular in the years they were active, between 2015 and 2017. For various reasons, the two artists decided to split ways in 2017.

===[[The Casteless Collective]] ===

'''Neelam Cultural Centre''', a social change organization spearheaded by [[Pa. Ranjith]], approached Tenma to do a workshop/ residency for Gaana artists and other musical artists in order to make songs that speak on '''equality and social justice'''. This involved bringing together artists who grew up as laborers and are working as daily wage workers in the slums and musicians from the independent music community who came from more privileged parts of society. The first Madras Records Residency resulted in The Casteless Collective - currently, India's largest Political Ensemble Band consisting of [[Folk music|Folk]], [[Gaana]], [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]] and [[Rock music|Rock]] artists from [[North Madras]] (Chennai) and from [[Dharavi]] (Mumbai). The band writes songs on various social topics and issues that bring about dialogue on the status quo through music.

The first show held on January 6, 2018, had over 7000 people in attendance. Tenma brought in artists from Madras Indie Collective to work on the debut show. After the show, he was assigned to do the Casteless Collective Album. Instead of renting a studio, Tenma instead rented the Museum Theatre and gave prominence to the percussion instruments in the album. Considering that the instrument and the players themselves are still treated as "impure", this was an important step in breaking stereotypes. The Casteless Collective videos have reached more than a million views on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPFcjjFtoTPCHgYP_y5MvSg|title=The Casteless Collective- YouTube Channel|date=2020-01-01|work=The Casteless Collective|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref> Under the music leadership of Tenma, it has produced multiple singles and as well as the popular album'''Magizhchi'''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/making-magizhchi-composer-tenma-casteless-collectives-first-album-94645|title=The Making of Magizhchi|date=2019-01-07|work=The News Minute|access-date=2019-01-07}}</ref>

=== Indie Music Initiatives ===

==== Madras Indie Collective (MIC) ====

The Madras Indie Collective was founded by Tenma as a movement to bring together and work with artists of various disciples from different socioeconomic backgrounds. The artists and the audience were curated to initiate dialogue on art and its relevance in a modern suburban context. MIC continued for the next 8 months which led to multiple collaborations between artists who would have never met otherwise, friendships were formed and bonds built. To bring some protocol in the workflow they started Madras Records. Small platforms were used in order to remove the divide between artists, audiences, and curators.

==== Madras Medai ====

Along with [[OfRo]], Tenma co-founded Madras Medai, an Independent Music festival.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://madrasmagazine.wordpress.com/2018/11/08/music-of-modern-madras-a-contemporary-scenario/|title=Music of Modern Madras|date=2018-11-08|work=Madras Magazine|access-date=2018-11-08}}</ref> The first performance took place on 19 May 2018. More than fifty artists performing different genres of original music were presented on the same stage to an audience of five thousand.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/madras-meda-indie-music-concert/article23949846.ece|title=Indie Music Concert|date=2018-05-21|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-05-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/voices-on-the-medai/article23914341.ece|title=Voices of Madras Medai|date=2018-05-17|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-05-17}}</ref> This edition of the festival included artists from various music communities and backgrounds. After Madras Medai, most of the artists released albums with videos and started building their own smaller ecosystems within the larger ecosystem that Tenma had created with a group of artists.

== Film ==

Tenma's debut in composing for film came in 2019 for Athiyan Athirai's debut film [[Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu]] produced by Pa Ranjith's banner Neelam Productions. The album consisting of six songs received highly favorable reviews, such as "It’s like the voice for ‘the voiceless’.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/irandam-ulagaporin-kadaisi-gundu-movie-review-6154033/|title=Gundu Movie Review|date=2019-12-06|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2019-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/gundu-was-a-course-in-cinematic-music/article30135771.ece|title=Gundu Movie Review - The Hindu|date=2019-12-02|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2019-12-02}}</ref> The lyrics convey so much meaning like the dialogues and It is clear from Tenma's rich soundscape that it is designed to organically flow with the film's narrative rather than stick out as individual pieces.".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/music-review-irandam-ulaga-porin-kadaisi-gundu/articleshow/72401057.cms?from=mdr|title=Gundu Music Review|date=2019-12-02|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2019-12-02}}</ref> Tenma credits Pa Ranjith with bringing him into films.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/dec/03/i-wouldnt-be-here-if-it-wasnt-for-pa-ranjith-says-music-director-tenma-2070588.html/|title=Tenma credits Pa. Ranjith for his entry into films|date=2019-12-03|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-12-03}}</ref>

== Politics ==

Tenma has been vocal about various political issues through his music.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://feminisminindia.com/2018/06/25/the-casteless-collective-interview/|title=Feminism India Casteless Collective Interview|date=2018-06-25|work=Feminism India|access-date=2018-06-25}}</ref> He has also spoken out about the caste and class divide within the music community and has advocated for equal representation in the arts, saying that "Most artists from minority groups have been only presented as a novelty"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2019/jul/26/most-musicians-from-minority-groups-have-been-only-presented-as-novelty-says-producer-tenma-from-16866.html|title=Musicians from Minority Groups|date=2019-07-26|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-07-26}}</ref> and that there are a whole host of issues that need to be addressed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tenmas-mixtape-south-asian-heritage-month-culture-protest-130577|title=Tenma's Mixtape|date=2020-08-12|work=The News Minute|access-date=2020-08-12}}</ref> He has also said "For some artistes, their music is politics. For some, their existence is itself politics."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/how-can-you-be-an-artiste-and-not-reflect-the-times-the-inside-story-of-arivus-fight-against-oppression-8108221.html|title=Artists and Politics|date=2020-05-03|work=First Post|access-date=2020-05-03}}</ref>

In fact, a discussion of the relationship between politics and art with director Pa Ranjith is what led to the formation of The Casteless Collective. The topics they deal with range from LGBTQ issues, gender inequality, to caste-based issues such as reservation and manual scavenging. In addition, Tenma also talks about how protest culture is portrayed as being angry and emotionless but says that it can come from a very rich heritage and how it can be a topic of identity.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gqindia.com/get-smart/content/gq-spoke-to-the-millennials-who-are-determined-to-change-the-way-we-think-about-caste|title=GQ spoke to millennials who are determined to change the way we think about caste|date=2019-09-06|work=GQ India|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref>

== Discography ==

=== Independent ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! Year
! Album
! Artist/Band
! Genre
! Track listing
! Role
|-
| 2008
| Psychobabble
| Blind Image
| Thrash Metal
|
*Skin
*Shit Happens
*Bomb in the Cake
*Effigy
*Psychobabble
*Say No More
*Read my Lips
*Kiss of Anarchy
| Bassplayer
|-
| 2014
| Azhagu Puratchi
| Kaber Vasuki
| Singer/ Songwriter
|
*Ulagathin Sonthakaren
*Pachai Perunthu
*Pirai Kadhai
*Manda Mannan Kaviyam
*Karpanai Kadathal
*Chennai Paadal
| Music Producer/ Arranger
|-
|2018
|Magizhchi
| [[The Casteless Collective]]
| [[World Music]] / [[Folk music|Folk]]
|
*Beef
*Magizhchi
*Tik Tik
*Nanga Platform
*Quota
*Vivasayam
*Vada Chennai
*Kaalu Rooba Dhuddu
*Othadi
| Composer, Bassplayer, Singer, Music Producer
|}

=== Singles ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! Year
! Track
! Artist/Band
! Genre
! Role
|-
| 2017
| Manitha subhavam
| Kurangan
| Reggae
| Music Producer
|-
| 2016
| Vasanam
| Kurangan
| Easy Listening
| Music Producer
|-
| 2017
| Vilangu
| Kurangan
| Pop
| Music Producer
|-
| 2018
| Rendu Perum
| Kurangan
| Post Punk
| Music Producer
|-
| 2018
| David Foster Wallace
| Kurangan
| Pop
| Music Producer
|-
| 2019
| Rasathi
| Kurangan
| Funk Rock
| Music Producer
|-
| 2016
| Naan Enna Muttala
| Kaber and Tenma
| Pop
| Music Producer
|-
| 2016
| Poromboke Song
| Kaber and Tenma
| Pop
| Music Producer
|-
| 2018
| Jai Bhim
| The Casteless Collective
| World Music/ Folk
| Music Producer
|-
| 2019
| Dabba Dabba
| The Casteless Collective
| World Music/ Folk
| Music Producer
|-
| 2019
| Thalaiva
| The Casteless Collective
| World Music/ Folk
| Music Producer
|-
| 2021
| Vaiyulla Pulla
| The Casteless Collective
| World Music/ Folk
| Music Producer
|-
| 2020
| Marley ft Gaana Muthu
| Tenma
| Reggaton
| Music Producer
|-
| 2020
| Pandemic Story
| Harish Kamble
| Hip Hop
| Music Producer
|-
| 2020
| Daddy Daddy
| Vijay Varadharaj
| Hip Hop
| Music producer
|}

=== Gameography ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! Title
! Studio
! Role
|-
| Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas (8-bit) (2013)
| Valiant
| Audio Director, Sound Designer and Composer
|-
| Kochadaiyaan: Reign of Arrows (2014)
| Gameshastra
| Sound Designer, Composer
|-
| Kochadiyan: The game (2014)
| Gameshastra
| Sound Designer and Composer
|}

=== Filmography ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
!Year
!Film
!Genre
!Role
!Notes
!Label
|-
| 2019
| [[Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu]]
| Action/ Drama
| Music Director
| Debut Film
| Think Music
|-
| 2020
| This is My Hood
| Docu-Series
| Himself
| A series covering the stories of people who keep the hip-hop scene in India Alive
|
|-
| 2020
| Breaking Barriers
| Documentary
| Himself
| The Casteless Collective Documentary
|
|-
| 2020
| The Casteless Collective: Prologue
| Documentary
| Himself
|
|
|-
| 2020
| Victim: Who is Next
| Thriller
| Music Director
| Anthology Film [[Pa. Ranjith]] Segment
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tenma}}
[[Category:Musicians from Chennai]]
[[Category:Tamil musicians]]
[[Category:Loyola College, Chennai alumni]]
[[Category:Ambedkarites]]
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Tenma (musician) - Revision history

Robctr: clean up

->GhostInTheMachine: /* top */fix Short description template (spaces)

imported>Richard3120: copyedited, removed MOS:PUFFERY wording