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Brodha V: Bengaluru Hip Hop's First Star

A Bengaluru rapper whose track Aathma Raama blended hip hop with devotional and Carnatic sounds, and who helped build the city's independent rap scene.

QUICK ANSWER

  • Brodha V, born Vighnesh Shivanand, is a Bengaluru rapper and producer and a pioneer of the city's hip hop scene.
  • His best-known track, Aathma Raama, blends rap with a devotional, Carnatic-inflected chorus.
  • He was part of the Bengaluru crew Machas With Attitude and has worked on film music.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam September 23, 2026 • 2 min read • Updated October 17, 2026
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A crowd raises hands toward a spotlit microphone stand and DJ decks on a smoky stage backed by a graffiti wall

Brodha V is one of Bengaluru's best-known rappers.

“He made hip hop sound like it came from a Bengaluru street, not a borrowed accent.”

• On Brodha V

Brodha V, born Vighnesh Shivanand, is a Bengaluru rapper and producer and one of the pioneers of the city's hip hop scene. His track Aathma Raama, which blends rap with devotional and Carnatic influences, became one of the best-known Indian independent hip hop songs. He was part of the Bengaluru crew Machas With Attitude and has also worked on film music.

Bengaluru's hip hop scene grew up around artists like him. This profile keeps to the well-documented record.

Quick Information

A Bengaluru rapper who put a Carnatic hook on a hip hop track and made it work. The city's rap scene has been trying to top it since.

Real name
Vighnesh Shivanand
City
Bengaluru
Known for
Aathma Raama and a mix of hip hop with Indian sounds
Crew
Machas With Attitude
Languages
English, Kannada, Hindi and Tamil
One memorable fact
Aathma Raama drew heavily on devotional music

What Is Aathma Raama?

A Brodha V track that combines rap verses with a devotional, Carnatic-inflected chorus, and became one of the defining songs of Indian independent hip hop.

What Is Bengaluru's Hip Hop Scene Like?

A multilingual scene with rappers in Kannada, English, Tamil and Hindi, and regular gigs and battles across the city.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

He has spoken about how his mother's devotional music influenced Aathma Raama.

Why Does Brodha V Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

He is from Bengaluru and helped create the city's hip hop scene, which now spans several languages.

FAQs

What is Brodha V's real name?

Vighnesh Shivanand.

What is Brodha V's best-known song?

Aathma Raama.

Is Brodha V from Bengaluru?

Yes.

In Bengaluru's Rap Scene?

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Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

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