On a sweltering April evening in California’s Coachella Valley, something unexpected cut through the desert air, something thunderous: the rhythm of Kerala’s traditional chenda melam! Hanumankind, the Texas-raised rapper with roots in Kerala, showed up to the global music festival bringing a piece of home with him.
Dressed in black jeans and a ganji, Hanumankind commanded the stage with an energy that was impossible to ignore. But the most iconic part of the performance was the presence of Kochuveettil Beats, a traditional chenda melam ensemble dressed in crisp white mundus. As the drummers pounded out fierce rhythms, Hanumankind launched into Run It Up, his latest hit and the crowd packed with both die-hard fans and curious newcomers, went wild.
A global stage for Kerala’s heritage
The chenda, a cylindrical drum central to Kerala’s temple festivals and classical arts like Kathakali, isn’t something you’d expect at Coachella. It’s part of a larger performance tradition that requires training, discipline, and timing. In Kerala, it’s heard during poorams or festivals, temple rituals, and classical dance dramas like Koodiyattam. Yet, Hanumankind made it feel all contemporary, and effortlessly stylish. "Make some noise for my chenda boys!" he shouted, grinning as the audience roared back.
Bringing Kerala to the world, one track at a time
This authenticity is what’s driving Hanumankind’s rise. Unlike many artists who dilute their roots for global appeal, he leans into them. His 2024 breakout track Big Dawgs, which went viral with over 110 million YouTube views, was already a huge moment. But bringing chenda to Coachella? That was just next-level! The drummers from Kochuveettil Beats didn’t miss a beat. They brought a completely distinct visual and sonic identity to the set. It was rooted in tradition but not frozen in time. It used heritage as a launchpad, not a limitation.
Run It Up isn’t just another hip-hop banger. It features Indian martial arts like Kalaripayattu, Gatka, and Thang-Ta, shot with a flair that makes it feel both cinematic and rooted. It’s not the first time he’s done this. His breakout track Big Dawgs, released in 2024 with producer Kalmi, took off globally, eventually crossing 100 million views on YouTube and trending across Spotify and TikTok. That track positioned him as a name to watch but Run It Up has pushed him into a different league, even catching the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke about the song during his radio programme Mann Ki Baat as an example of Indian heritage finding global recognition.
Beyond the hype
Hanumankind’s Coachella debut marks a turning point for how Indian hip-hop can evolve and be experienced internationally. It shows that you don’t have to shed your identity to stand on a global stage but you can, in fact, take it with you, drums and all.
The energy in the tent that day was electric: all phones out, voices up, limbs moving. And at the centre of it was a rapper who chose to bring a piece of Kerala with him.
He’ll be back for Weekend 2 of Coachella. And if the first performance was any indication, he’s not just representing India, he’s reimagining what Indian representation can sound like!
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.