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29 March 2024

Malayalam rock band Avial gears for Dubai gig tomorrow

Malayalam rock band 'Avial' slated to perform at the emirate’s the Music Room on August 22. (SUPPLIED)

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By Sneha May Francis

If you are a true-blue Malayali, then chances are you that would’ve definitely indulged in Avial of the musical kind. Just like its gastronomic namesake, which is a heady mix of choicest veggies, this one too gives your mind, body and soul an incredible high.

And hoping to recreate that magic in Dubai is Malayalam rock band Avial, who is slated for a gig at the emirate’s the Music Room this Friday.

“Malayalam alternate rock” was technically born in 2003, when Anandraj Benjamin Paul, Tony John, Rex Vijayan, Naresh Kamath and Mithun Puthanveetil decided to blend music that transcends language and genre, and broke many boundaries. Their first single ‘Nada Nada’ was an instant rage on the Indian rock scene for blending alternate rock with Malayalam folk into an unconventionally powerful concoction.

“Before Avial, we used to be part of different bands, and used to sing in English. Avial was born just so that we could sing in Malayalam (our mother tongue), and to revive folk rock. A genre that we designed,” explains lead singer Tony John.

In fact, he claims that ‘Nada Nada’ was created out of the blue, without any clear plan in place, at the mere insistence of the guy who shot the video, Prakash. “We didn’t even jam together or anything. We just got together one fine day, and made ‘Nada Nada’”.

It was only after the song became successful that the band realised that what they had created was truly magical, and decided to give Avial a befitting beginning. “It took us nearly four years to release our first album – ‘Avial’.”

‘Avial’ was released through Phat Phish Records in 2008, and won them six Jack Daniels Rock Awards and Footprints Young Achiever's Award that year.

Despite the success, the band went through a sudden modification with Anandraj and Naresh leaving, and making way for bassist Binny Issac. Tony moved positions from backing vocalist to lead. The change did impact the group. “It did affect us because Anandraj, our lead singer, left just before the launch of our album. He was the voice of Avial and the production was tuned for him. So, when he suddenly left, it did shake things a bit.”

 

The band soon regrouped and hit the big league with live city shows, and even collaborated with Italian five-piece act A67 for one song.

They side-tracked a little to tune music tracks for commercial Malayalam movies, with ‘Salt n Pepper’s’ ‘Aana Kallan’, and later ’22 Female Kottyam’s’ ‘Chillane Chillane’, and ‘Second Show’s’ ‘Thithitara’ turning into massive chartbusters. In fact, Rex even turned assistant music director for these films, and turned full-time music director for ‘Chappa Kurish’, ‘English’ and ‘Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi’.

The movie music didn’t dilute their efforts, but in turn, promoted Avial’s distinct flavour.

In fact, it’s their ‘Aana Kallan’ movie video that pushed their popularity to a different level.

That said, Avial isn’t willing to adulterate its style for movies. “Movie music is just a one-off thing. We work only with our friends, and so we don’t have to alter our music to fit a standard,” adds Tony.

Their stupendous success, he believes, lies in the fact that even non-Malayalis have embraced them. They have been touring across India extensively, and to cities around the globe, because their sound unifies people. In fact, he thinks this kind of success would’ve eluded them if their songs were in English. “You have to be different and unique in your style.”

Avial’s journey has led to the birth of a few other regional bands too. “It’s great to see bands singing in their language because I think there’s absolutely no point in singing in English”.

Their journey, however, wasn’t all smooth sailing, with the first few years proving tough. It was the cushioning (and a music studio) that their parents provided that helped them survive, and eventually get to where they are today.

Tony ties it all together with; “Avial is basically a rock band which has everything in it”. While that could hint at how the band got its name, he quickly clarifies that the name was chosen for “fun” and mainly because it accentuated their Malayali roots.