Darbuka Siva is an Indian musician, music producer and an actor based in Chennai, India. Starting out as a drummer/percussionist, he went on to spearhead the critically acclaimed Indian music projects like Yodhakaa and La Pongal.
Siva grew up in the suburbs of what was then North Madras. Siva was aware of his music calling early on during schooling, but wasn’t able to do much because of the middle-class situation at home. But soon the time came to drop out of college and take music seriously.
In 2006, he joined Radio Mirchi as a radio jockey and a producer. In 2013, he was picked as a fellow for OneBeat, an initiative of the U.S. State Department for music-based social entrepreneurship powered by Found Sound Nation, where musicians from around the world launch collaborative projects designed to make a positive impact on local and global communities.
In 2015, he debuted as an actor in the heist action-thriller Indian movie Rajathandhiram, which released on 13 March 2015.
In February 2016, Siva was picked as a Facilitator/Artist-in-residence for The Dosti Music Project, which is a month-long residency and tour in the U.S.
August 2016 saw Siva debuting as a music director for Kidaari. The album was a mix of rooted Tamil folk music with contemporary sounds and textures.
During late 2016 Siva started working with Gautham Menon on making songs for Enai Noki Paayum Thota. The first single of the film, 'Maruvaarthai' was released on New Year's eve of 2016 with credits to a certain Mr.X as the music composer. The song was a hit as well as the Mr.X campaign itself. During September 2017, Gautham Menon confirmed that Darbuka Siva was the much talked about Mr. X.