A motely crew of children are jamming, drumming away on their improvised instruments while one of them vocalises a popular 90s hit number ‘Azhakiya Laila’. Meet Dabba Beat, a children’s band from Thrissur, which makes music out of scrap buckets, pots, wooden slabs, sticks, plastic water bottles and other everyday objects. 

Videos of them jamming outdoors are often trending on social media, and they have featured on popular reality shows in Kerala and outside the State. Their version of Arabic kuthu from Vijay’s Beast, was shared by its composer Anirudh Ravichander, catapulting this band of drummer boys to instant fame. 

But it all started as an impromptu session during the first Covid-19 lockdown, says Indrajit P C, who coordinates the band. “Most of these children live in the same neighbourhood in Kollannur in Thrissur district and we would get together in our free time, just jamming. I filmed a session and uploaded it on social media, only to be flooded with praise for the boys’ talent. We realised the potential and formed a band, calling it Dabba Beat,” says Indrajit.