Have you ever heard of a four-legged artist? Probably not, at least not in India. Here enters Sabu Patty, the country’s first canine musician who is fast becoming a viral sensation. And the best part? He’s from our very own Kochi. With two original songs on Spotify and a growing fan base on Instagram, Sabu Patty is an artist with an attitude, a story, and a whole lot of swag.

Why so much ado about a dog?
Sabu Patty isn’t just any four-legged canine, he’s an artist and a full-fledged member of Kochi’s indie music scene. From tagging along with musicians to becoming a viral sensation, his journey is anything but ordinary. With his own tracks, a dedicated fanbase, and a creative presence that influences the work around him, Sabu is proving that art isn’t limited to humans. His story isn’t just about a dog making music, it’s about how he naturally became part of an artistic movement, shaping and being shaped by the space he calls home.

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He is a 2.5-year-old Indian canine and an integral part of WAT.B, a Kochi-based artist and musician collective. Photo: Special Arrangement
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From Softy to Sabu: The origin story
Sabu’s journey to stardom wasn’t a planned one. He is a 2.5-year-old Indian canine and an integral part of WAT.B, a Kochi-based artist and musician collective. His colleagues at WAT.B shared his story with Onmanorama, revealing how he naturally became part of the group.

Originally named Softy, Sabu belonged to an American man in Kerala. When his owner left the country, Sabu found himself drawn to the artists of WAT.B. There wasn’t a single defining moment when he joined the gang, he simply started hanging around with them. The group members, in turn, welcomed him with biscuits and milk, and before long, he was one of them.

But why the name Sabu Patty? The group once had a cat named Babu, who left them one day without a trace, true to feline nature. In memory of Babu, they decided to rename Softy as Sabu. The new name stuck, and Sabu adopted it wholeheartedly.

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A swaggering artist with a unique attitude
Sabu Patty isn’t just an artist; he’s got style and attitude. Leo, one of his colleagues at WAT.B, describes him as a total 'swagger' with a thug personality. But what gets Sabu really worked up? Crows. His intense dislike for the birds is well-known, and they are perhaps his greatest nemesis. Another peculiar quirk? He doesn’t like people wearing ‘mundu’ (traditional Kerala attire). His colleagues suspect it’s because he can’t see both their legs and assume they might be ghosts.

Sabu’s musical journey: From 'I Am Sabu Patty' to a romantic ballad
So, how did a dog become a music artist? Sabu currently has two songs on Spotify: 'I Am Sabu Patty' and 'Poocha Myavo'. And now, a third song is on the way, one that’s unlike anything he’s done before, a romantic track titled 'Naalukaalulla Naadan Sundari'.

The inspiration? Love, of course. Sabu had a special someone in his neighbourhood, and his colleagues found out when he mysteriously disappeared one day. Turns out, Sabu was on a date. When his team caught him, he was visibly embarrassed. His girlfriend later gave birth at WAT.B’s house, making Sabu not just an artist but a father as well. While the neighbourhood wasn’t exactly thrilled about the unexpected family expansion, it didn’t stop Sabu from living his best life. Rumour has it that he might have moved on to a new romantic interest since then.

The making of an overnight sensation
Sabu’s rise to fame has been meteoric. Abhiram, another colleague, shared that Sabu became an overnight sensation, with his Instagram notifications never stopping. People now recognize him more than his human colleagues. 'Oh, this is Sabu Patty?' is a common reaction when people spot him in public. His fame has even caught the attention of other musicians, many of whom are eager to collaborate with him.

One of his notable connections is with rapper Vedan, who follows Sabu on social media. Whenever Vedan visits WAT.B, he and Sabu have jam sessions together, strengthening their bond.

From an aggressive stray to a musical sensation
Sabu wasn’t always this cool and composed. Before his American owner found him, he was a feared stray in Vyttila, known for his aggressive behaviour. The locals were terrified of him, but the American man took him in, trained him, and transformed him into a friendly, affectionate dog, hence the name Softy.

Now, Sabu channels his creativity into his music. His songs are inspired by everyday observations, things he sees, experiences, and (probably) thinks about. His colleagues pitch in, but Sabu always sets the tone, working at his own pace and in his own unique style.

A global reach and an unpredictable future
Sabu’s influence isn’t limited to Kerala. His wide reach became evident when, during a recent Coldplay concert in India, fans were spotted singing his songs. Despite his growing fame, Sabu remains grounded, at least with his colleagues. While he engages with fans on social media, meeting him in real life is another story. If you're lucky, he might not show you his attitude.
His future? Unpredictable, just the way he likes it. While music remains his main focus, Sabu Patty is open to new opportunities. If movie offers or other projects come his way, he’s ready to take them on. After all, he’s not just any dog, he’s Sabu Patty, India’s first four-legged artist.

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