Vedan: Kerala rebel rapper's rise, drug arrest, and Leopard tooth controversy explained

Dubai: He’s not your average rapper—and definitely not your average headline-maker. Meet Vedan, the tainted Malayalam hip-hop artist who made waves with his gritty verses and raw social commentary.

Known offstage as Hirandas Murali, Vedan burst onto the scene with Voice of the Voiceless, a searing rap tackling casteism and marginalisation in Kerala.

With his firebrand lyrics and unmistakable intensity, he carved out a bold space in India’s indie music landscape. But lately, the headlines have been less about music and more about his questionable conduct during his downtime.

Earlier this week, Vedan was arrested in Kochi on drug-related charges—6 grams of cannabis, multiple phones, and a suspiciously large stash of around Dh19000 in cash. Just when his fans thought things couldn’t get more surreal, he was re-arrested within hours of getting bail. This time, it wasn’t narcotics. It was a necklace.

Yes, you read that right. A pendant he wore was identified by Kerala’s Forest Department as containing a leopard tooth—a serious offence under the Wildlife Protection Act. Vedan claimed it was a harmless gift from a Sri Lankan fan he met online, but the authorities weren’t convinced.

The charges he’s facing? Non-bailable, and they could land him in prison for up to seven years.

This isn’t the first time Vedan’s personal life has sparked controversy. In 2021, he issued a public apology following allegations of sexual misconduct, though no formal case was registered.

With his arrest, release, and immediate re-arrest, Vedan’s saga feels like a collision of street poetry, wildlife law, and internet-age chaos.

While he may be the artist who spoke truth to power through his abrasive songs — he may be in a similar situation. The question now is: can Vedan rise from this mess and return to the mic, or will his next verses be from behind bars?