Early Life & Roots
Born on 25 October 1994 in Thrissur, Kerala, Hirandas Murali—better known as Vedan—emerged from humble roots with deep cultural resonances. His mother, an Eelam Tamil from Jaffna, Sri Lanka, found asylum in India during the civil war and later became an Indian citizen. His father, Murali, hails from the Panaya (Panan) community in Kerala, historically connected to folk music. Vedan lived in a railway colony near Thrissur railway station, where his family’s background and ancestral music traditions deeply influenced his artistic direction (Wikipedia, Colombo Telegraph).
Vedan started as a daily-wage worker and later assisted in a studio for editor-director B. Ajithkumar. This proximity exposed him to various music genres and inspired his affinity for rap, particularly influenced by Tupac Shakur and Divine (TheQuint, Click in Kerala).
Rise to Fame: From "Voice of the Voiceless" to Playback Tracks
Vedan made his breakthrough in 2020 with the music video “Voice of the Voiceless”, shot on a shoestring budget in a broken-down house. It went viral for its raw power and urgent lyrical style. He followed this with “Bhoomi”, tackling global crises like the Syrian war and the fate of Aylan Kurdi (Click in Kerala, Wikipedia).
Evolution in Music
Between 2021 and 2023, Vedan made inroads into cinema and broader collaborations:
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“Narabali” for Nayattu (2021) marked his debut in film music as both lyricist and singer.
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His track “Vaa” and “Social Criminal” further cemented his socially conscious persona.
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In 2023, he collaborated with KSHMR and Dabzee on “La Vida” from the album Karam.
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His 2024 and 2025 releases, like “Kuthanthram” (from Manjummel Boys), “Theruvinte Mon”, and “Muana Loa”, expanded his musical range—some charmingly lyrical, others still steeped in social narratives (Wikipedia, Cinefry).
Stage Presence
Vedan performed at major festivals like Gully Fest (Mumbai), Rap91, Para Hip Hop Festival (Kochi), Royal Enfield Motoverse (Goa), and Ocha Festival (Kochi) in 2024. His music, resonating with youth and marginalized communities, has become part of their cultural expression (Wikipedia).
Controversies & Legal Battles
Vedan’s rise has been shadowed by a series of serious controversies starting from MeToo-era allegations in 2021, continuing through 2025 with criminal cases.
MeToo Allegations (2021)
Several women accused Vedan of sexual misconduct. He issued public apologies via Instagram, though many critics felt these were insufficient and symbolic (Click in Kerala, Go Bio).
Narcotics & Wildlife Violation (April 2025)
In April 2025, a police raid in Kochi found 6 grams of ganja in his rented flat. Vedan and eight others—including his bandmates—were arrested under the NDPS Act. During the same incident, authorities found a leopard-tooth pendant, raising wildlife violation concerns. Vedan claimed it was a gift from a fan. He was granted bail in both cases and publicly admitted his mistakes, apologizing for smoking and drinking while promising to improve (Onmanorama, The Week, NewsDrum).
Political Pushback
He faced a complaint from a BJP councillor who alleged that his song “Voice of the Voiceless” defamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promoted caste discord. She sought investigation by the NIA, raising questions about the line between artistic dissent and political defamation (The Times of India).
He also rebutted statements by a Hindu Aikya Vedi leader, denying that his lyrics were divisive or casteist. He professed to be an independent artist—not funded or aligned with any agency or ideology (The Times of India).
Rape Allegations & Ongoing Legal Proceedings (2025)
FIR & Lookout Notice
In July 2025, a doctor filed an FIR against Vedan alleging rape under false promise of marriage, spanning August 2021 to March 2023. The complaint was filed after similar allegations came to light. The police issued a lookout notice to prevent Vedan from fleeing the country while investigating the matter (The Times of India).
Court Proceedings
The Kerala High Court granted anticipatory bail in August 2025, directing Vedan to appear for questioning on specified dates. The court observed that treating consensual intimacy as rape post relationship breakdown would be “illogical and harsh” in absence of initial deceit. They noted no evidence the marriage promise was false at inception (The Times of India).
Simultaneously, Vedan faces a case under IPC Section 354 (outraging modesty) from a researcher’s complaint over a 2020 incident. Police have initiated proceedings but the complainant's statement hasn't been recorded yet (The Times of India).
Subsequently, the High Court restrained arrest temporarily while the anticipatory bail petition is pending. The court also cautioned against reliance on media or social media in assessing allegations (The Times of India).
Multiple allegations from other women have surfaced—including one from the MeToo period and another researcher—broadening the scope of the investigation. Supporters frame him as a cultural martyr; critics argue it's accountability overdue (Outlook India, Navbharat Times, The Times of India).
Summary: Vedan’s Current Landscape
Aspect | Details |
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Identity | Hirandas Murali, stage name Vedan—Kerala-based rapper known for anti-caste, socially conscious lyrics. |
Artistry | Bold themes—caste, marginalization, resistance; viral hits and film collaborations; celebrated live performer. |
Legal Troubles | MeToo allegations (2021), drug & wildlife violation arrests (2025), defamation complaints. |
Serious Allegations | Rape FIR filed July 2025; lookout notice issued; anticipatory bail granted; additional modesty-related case filed; investigations ongoing. |
Public Perception | A polarizing figure—championed as voice of marginalized while being scrutinized for personal conduct. |
Top Interesting Facts
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Name with meaning: Vedan means "hunter"—a nod to his identity and cultural heritage (Click in Kerala).
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Ground-up breakthrough: His debut video was shot for just ₹10,000 in a dilapidated location, yet it went viral (TheQuint).
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Transnational lineage: His mother’s journey from Sri Lankan conflict zones adds layers of identity, influencing his inclusive worldview (Colombo Telegraph).
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Genre disruptor: Vedan introduced anti-caste hip-hop into mainstream Malayalam rap with unapologetic lyricism 💥.
FAQs
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Who is Vedan?
Hirandas Murali, known as Vedan, is a Malayalam rapper from Thrissur, Kerala, known for blending social justice themes into rap. -
What made Vedan famous?
His 2020 debut video “Voice of the Voiceless” established him as a raw, unapologetic voice for marginalized communities. -
Has he contributed to films?
Yes—songs like Narabali (Nayattu), Kuthanthram (Manjummel Boys), and La Vida are notable cinematic collaborations. -
What controversies has he faced?
Allegations include MeToo-era accusations, arrests over ganja and wildlife possession, defamation complaints, and ongoing sexual assault cases. -
What is the current legal status?
He has anticipatory bail in a rape case and faces a police lookout notice; a separate complaint under Section 354 is also pending.
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