{{Short description|Indian percussionist and singer}} {{Undisclosed paid|date=October 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Varun Sunil | image = Varun_Sunil.jpg | caption = Varun Sunil performing in live in Coimbatore with Masala Coffee | birth_name = Varun Sunil | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|05|10}} | birth_place = Kochi, Kerala, India | occupation = {{flatlist| * Percussionist * singer * record producer}} | instrument = Percussion, singing | label = Sony Music India | current_member_of = Masala Coffee }} '''Varun Sunil''' (born 10 May 1987) is an Indian percussionist, singer, music producer and founder of Masala Coffee, one of the popular contemporary folk bands in South India. He is also well known for his musical contributions in Telugu, Tamil, Bollywood and Malayalam movie industries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=M |first=Athira |date=2019-06-28 |title=Varun Sunil, founder of Masala Coffee, on his upcoming projects |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/masala-coffee-founder-and-percussionist-varun-sunil-is-on-a-roll/article28200042.ece |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He has performed alongside Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Hariharan, T. H. Vinayakram, Ranjit Barot, Fazal Qureshi and many more.
== Early life == Varun Sunil was born in Kochi, Kerala. He started playing mridangam (percussion) at a young age.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prarthana |first=Ruth |date=2019-08-13 |title=Indie Indeed! |url=https://www.asianage.com/entertainment/music/130819/indie-indeed.html |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=The Asian Age}}</ref> He did a course in Audio Recording Arts and Music Production from Chetana Studio in Thrissur and later moved to Chennai.<ref>{{Cite news |last=M |first=Athira |date=2019-06-28 |title=Varun Sunil, founder of Masala Coffee, on his upcoming projects |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/masala-coffee-founder-and-percussionist-varun-sunil-is-on-a-roll/article28200042.ece |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Initially he started making jingles for advertisements for Indian brands as a freelancer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-11-13 |title=Varun Sunil: In the Indie scene, you can indulge in your own style of music |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/varun-sunil-in-the-indie-scene-you-can-indulge-in-your-own-style-of-music/articleshow/61614745.cms |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
== Career == Sunil began his career by producing jingles for advertisements for Indian FMCG brands before venturing into films.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-11-13 |title=Varun Sunil: In the Indie scene, you can indulge in your own style of music |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/varun-sunil-in-the-indie-scene-you-can-indulge-in-your-own-style-of-music/articleshow/61614745.cms |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
In 2014 Varun Sunil and his few friends collaborated for Kappa TV’s Music Mojo Session, doing a cover of A R Rahman’s Munbe Vaa and Snehithane which became viral, gaining millions of views on YouTube. Following the success, Varun formed the band Masala Coffee.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-07-02 |title=A heady blend of music |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/a-heady-blend-of-music/article6170037.ece |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Riaz |first=Azmia |date=2017-10-07 |title=Flying Solo: Why Masala Coffee is putting Kerala's music scene on the global map |url=https://www.edexlive.com/breaking/2017/Oct/07/wake-up-and-smell-the-masala-coffee-1278.html |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=EdexLive |language=en}}</ref>
In 2019 he was officially signed to Sony Music South with his Tamil song release "Paakura Ponnu" along with Ku Karthik.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Pradeep |date=2020-08-14 |title='Masala Coffee family growing stronger and breaching language barriers': Varun Sunil |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/masala-coffee-family-growing-stronger-and-breaching-language-barriers-varun-sunil/article32353492.ece |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Later that year, he made his debut as a film composer for the Telugu film ''Rajdooth'', contributing the song "Emo Emo".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-06-17 |title=Rajdooth: Meghamsh Srihari's debut film all set to hit the screens on July 5 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/rajdooth-meghamsh-sriharis-debut-film-all-set-to-hit-the-screens-on-july-5/articleshow/69821236.cms |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
In early 2020 he made his debut for the film "''Trance''" for the song "Noolupoya" which he sung.<ref>{{Cite web |title=First video song from 'Trance' gives a glimpse into Fahadh and Nazriya's characters |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2020/01/29/trance-movie-fahadh-faasil-video-song.html |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Onmanorama}}</ref> In 2021, Sunil collaborated with Swetha Mohan for his Tamil track "Kan Munnale", which he produced and composed. The song was released under the Sony Music South label.<ref>{{Citation |title=Kan Munnale – Single by Varun Sunil & Shweta Mohan on Apple Music |date=2021-03-27 |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/kan-munnale-single/1560493517 |access-date=2024-03-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFrOJ7tOHII |title=Kan Munnale – Tamil POP Song {{!}} Varun Sunil {{!}} Shweta Mohan {{!}} Ku Karthik |language=en |access-date=2024-03-28 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
In 2022 Sunil composed the tracks from the Tamil film ''Ward 126'', composing the film's music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chennaivision |date=2022-07-18 |title='Ward 126' features four heroines in the lead characters |url=https://chennaivision.com/ward-126-features-four-heroines-in-the-lead-characters/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Tamil News {{!}} Online Tamilnadu News {{!}} Tamil Cinema News {{!}} Chennai News {{!}} Chennai Power shutdown Today {{!}} Chennai Vision |language=en-US}}</ref> The same year, He worked with K.S. Chithra on the song "Chaanchaadunni Chaanchaadu" from the film "''Haya''".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-10 |title='Haya' trailer: Guru Somasundaram starrer promises to be a thrilling campus entertainer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/haya-trailer-guru-somasundaram-starrer-promises-to-be-a-thrilling-campus-entertainer/articleshow/95421114.cms |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Haya {{!}} Song – Chaanchaadunni Chaanchaadu {{!}} Malayalam Video Songs – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/music/malayalam/haya-song-chaanchaadunni-chaanchaadu/videoshow/96167570.cms |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023 Sunil composed the music for the Malayalam film ''Valatty'', directed by Devan Jayakumar and produced by Vijay Babu of Friday Film House.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Valatty – Tale Of Tails': A Unique Love Story Of 2 Dogs |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/valatty-tale-of-tails-a-unique-love-story-of-2-dogs-4197709 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-21 |title=Valatty movie review: A lighthearted dog movie slowed down by its attempt to show canine struggles akin to those faced by humans |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/valatty-movie-review-lighthearted-dog-movie-slowed-down-canine-struggles-akin-to-those-faced-by-humans-8852868/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The film was released on 21 July 2023 and has released in over 5 languages with different artists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-11 |title=Valatty: Tale of Tails, An Experimental Film Starring Dogs, To Release In 5 Languages |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/valatty-tale-of-tails-an-experimental-film-starring-dogs-to-release-in-5-languages-6810481.html |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-09 |title=Music Content Creator Sumonto Mukherjee Talks About His Song From Valatty, 'It's A Romantic Duet With Shweta Mohan' {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/music-content-creator-sumonto-mukherjee-talks-about-his-song-from-valatty-its-a-romantic-duet-with-shweta-mohan-exclusive-7765603.html |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Albums === {| class="wikitable" !Release Title !Year !Record label !Ref |- |Original Background Score for "''Valatty''" |2023 |Friday Music Company |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-21 |title=Valatty movie review: A lighthearted dog movie slowed down by its attempt to show canine struggles akin to those faced by humans |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/valatty-movie-review-lighthearted-dog-movie-slowed-down-canine-struggles-akin-to-those-faced-by-humans-8852868/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> |- |Original Motion Picture Soundtracks for "''Valatty''" |2023 |Friday Music Company | |- |Original Motion Picture Soundtracks for "''Rajdooth''" |2019 |Saregama |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-08 |title='RajDooth' Teaser: Male lead's life ties to a bike – News |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/rajdooth-teaser-male-leads-life-ties-to-a-bike-telugu--news-237806 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref> |- |Original Motion Picture Soundtracks for "''Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal''" – Under Masala Coffee |2022 |Zee Music Company |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-19 |title=Masala Coffee to compose music for Dulquer Salmaan's Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dulquer-salmaan-kannum-kannum-kollaiyadithaal-5265812/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> |}
=== Singles === {| class="wikitable" !Release Title !Featuring !Year !Record label !Ref |- |Fun Maaro (From "Sila Nodigalil") |Masala Coffee, Ku Karthik |2023 |Saregama |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sila Nodigalil {{!}} Song – Fun Maaro {{!}} Tamil Video Songs – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/music/tamil/sila-nodigalil-song-fun-maaro/videoshow/104949094.cms |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> |- |Shwanare (From "Valatty") |Vinayak Sasikumar, Jyotikrishna |2023 |Friday Music Company | rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Citation |title=Valatty – Tale of Tails (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP by Varun Sunil, Ku Karthik & STEVIE on Apple Music |date=2023-08-04 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/valatty-tale-of-tails-original-motion-picture/1715844371 |access-date=2024-03-28 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Friendship Song (From "Valatty") |Maria Mathew Kolady, Manu Manjith |2023 |Friday Music Company |- |The Chase (From "Valatty") | |2023 |Friday Music Company |- |Chaanchaadunni Chaanchaadu (from "Haya") |K. S. Chithra |2022 |Saina Audios |<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-10 |title='Haya' trailer: Guru Somasundaram starrer promises to be a thrilling campus entertainer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/haya-trailer-guru-somasundaram-starrer-promises-to-be-a-thrilling-campus-entertainer/articleshow/95421114.cms |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |- |Ho.. Ek Do Pal (from "Haya") |Gwen Fernandes |2022 |Saina Audios | rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Haya – Playlist – Listen on JioSaavn |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/featured/haya/LsksObRuOlZwl9Cu-HDmVQ__ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=JioSaavn |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Koode (from "Haya") |Aslam Abdul Majeed |2022 |Saina Audios |- |Kallupaatu (from "Haya") |Resmi Sateesh, Binu Sariga |2022 |Saina Audios |- |Hey Veyile (from "Haya") |Vishnu Sunil, Christin Jose |2022 |Saina Audios |- |Vazhi Nadathidum (From "''Ward-126''") |Sunitha Sarathy, Senthuzhan |2021 |Saregama | rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Citation |title=Ward 126 |date=2024-01-04 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ward_126&oldid=1193528706 |access-date=2024-03-28 |language=en}}</ref> |- |Nee Vithaitha (From "''Ward-126''") |Aslam Abdul Majeed |2021 |Saregama |- |Kaalam Azhagai (From "''Ward-126''") |K. S. Harishankar |2021 |Saregama |- |Kan Munnale |Swetha Mohan |2021 |Sony Music Entertainment |<ref>{{Citation |title=Kan Munnale – Single by Varun Sunil & Shweta Mohan on Apple Music |date=2021-03-27 |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/kan-munnale-single/1560493517 |access-date=2024-03-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |Nambala | |2020 |Sony Music Entertainment |<ref>{{Citation |title=Nambala by Varun Sunil on Apple Music |date=2020-08-28 |url=https://music.apple.com/in/song/nambala/1529589710 |access-date=2024-03-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |Whispering Hues |Rajhesh Vaidhya |2020 |Sony Music Entertainment |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-12 |title=സംഗീതത്തിൽ മുഴുകി വരുണും രാജേഷ് വൈദ്യയും; പുതുമയേകി വിസ്പറിങ് ഹ്യൂസ് |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/videos/entertainment/whispering-hues-varun-sunil-feat-rajhesh-vaidhya-irena-mihalkovich-1.4522636 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref> |- |Chusthundhi Pila | |2020 |Sony Music Entertainment |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Latest Telugu Song 'Chusthundhi Pilla' Sung By Varun Sunil {{!}} Telugu Video Songs – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/music/telugu/latest-telugu-song-chusthundhi-pilla-sung-by-varun-sunil/videoshow/74728594.cms |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> |- |Paakura Ponnu | |2019 |Sony Music Entertainment |<ref>{{Citation |title=Paakura Ponnu – Single by Varun Sunil on Apple Music |date=2019-12-06 |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/paakura-ponnu-single/1490540852 |access-date=2024-03-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref> |}
== References == <references /> Category:1987 births Category:Indian singers Category:Indian percussionists Category:Indian music people Category:Living people