When the heat hits hardest, ‘Sollisai Sistahs’ ask: who gets to stay cool?

When the climate crisis intensifies, the Tamil rap collective Sollisai Sistahs questions whose well-being takes priority amid rising temperatures. Veppa Marathadiyila, their home village, serves as a backdrop for their new track, part of the Climate Emergency Mixtape—a bilingual hip-hop album exploring climate change through local perspectives.

Unlike conventional discussions on emissions and policy, the mixtape delves into the lived experiences of communities grappling with the crisis, such as water scarcity, deforestation, resource exploitation, floods, and the socio-economic fallout. For Sollisai Sistahs, the issue intertwines with caste, class, gender, and labour. Abisha, a member of the collective, notes that discussions around climate change often occur in elite circles, neglecting the most affected groups—marginalised communities.

Their work with Poovulagin Nanbargal shed light on the connection between environmental degradation and inequality. The song highlights how climate-induced disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, asking who bears the brunt of losses like collapsing homes and disappearing villages. With Rani, a resident of Alangudi, lending her voice, the video captures the grassroots impact.

Kavya, contributing Kannada lyrics, brings her own cultural background to the piece. The Climate Emergency Mixtape is a joint effort between Youth Ki Awaaz, Kraantinari, Asar Social Impact Advisors, Folksoul, and the Climate Culture Collective, aiming to bring climate change discussions closer to everyday reality.