Ahin Viswam's Powerful Malayalam Single Is An Ode To The Pursuit Of Your Inner Self

Sometime in the middle of 2022, I remember attending an originals-only open mike in Kochi, by the events organisation HeartlandXP. There were many artists that I met that day, some of whom have become friends over the years and this includes Ahin Viswam. The first time I met the Trissur-origin singer-songwriter, I remember noticing how nervous he was. But when he took to the stage, all his nervous energy visibly dissipated. And when he started singing his debut track, 'Sanchari', and then ‘Nee’, Ahin wasn’t singing for the room or the applause: it was evident that it came from a much deeper place.

Two years later, in early July 2024, when I attended the song release event for the same track ‘Nee’ at Stinger Tattoo Studio, a community gathering space of sorts in Kochi, the room was filled with friends and well-wishers for the artist. When the song started playing, it wasn’t an unfamiliar song, not to me nor to the other people in the room. It was, however, the best possible version that the artist had envisioned for his track. It was played to people who had heard it raw and pared down at previous gigs and even during jam sessions and slow nights at someone’s home. 

In fact, during our conversation, Ahin Viswam shared how his friends who loved the tracks were the ones who even financially backed them to finish it. The song, the title of which translates to ‘you’ talks about the need to live on one’s own terms and seek out ways to do so, is a ballad to the self. It asks you, the listener, to let go of the racing world and to spend it seeking a life in search of the 'self'. By collaborating with fellow artists on every leg of the product, from the actual production to the song cover art, 'Nee' belongs as much to the people who made it happen, as it does to the artist himself. And if the world of English and Hindi independent music is hard, the world of those who write indie music in regional languages like Malayalam is even harder. 

To get a deeper insight into the track that quickly entered the ‘Malayalam Indie’ Playlist on Spotify, I caught up with Ahin Viswam to talk about all things ‘Nee’, but also the larger premise of his journey as a Malayalam Indie musician.

Could you give our readers a short introduction to your art?

I'm Ahin Viswam, a 26-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer from Thrissur, Kerala, currently based in Bangalore. I have a B.Sc. in Sound Engineering and work as a music producer and studio engineer. I produce music for other artists and create background scores and advertisement music profesionally.

Tell us about your journey with music. When and how did you start making your own music?

I grew up practising Carnatic music from a young age, with my mother being my first supporter. My early exposure was to classical music and film songs, which laid a strong foundation. My musical journey took a significant turn in 8th grade when I first heard 'Nothing Else Matters' by Metallica in a salon. This experience opened me up to rock music, leading me to explore bands like Pink Floyd, System of a Down, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin.

I joined a band and played a few local gigs but eventually left to pursue my own music. After 12th grade, I joined Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism in Bangalore and completed my B.Sc. in Sound Engineering. Bangalore exposed me to diverse genres and like-minded musicians, further fueling my passion for composition. My debut single, 'Sanchari', reflects my journey from birth to death and each song I create helps me evolve both as an artist and as a person.

What was the inspiration and story behind your recent track?

My latest single, 'Nee', helped me grow as a vocalist, composer, and storyteller. I began writing 'Nee' while returning from a trip to Himachal Pradesh. During the trip, I met two middle-aged people who, despite having successful lives, only had five days off that year. They decided to make the most of those days for themselves, which inspired me to reflect on the importance of taking time for oneself, amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Nee is a reflection on the disconnect between oneself and others in today’s fast-paced world. It encourages listeners to step back, reconnect with their roots, and cherish the present moment.

Take us through your writing process, from the initial composition to the final track. What was that journey like?

I initially wrote and composed half of the lyrics, then collaborated with my close friend, Nivin Raphael, who produced and arranged the track. We recorded the first demo of ‘Nee’ with just vocals and keys in his home studio. Although we wanted to experiment with live instruments, financial constraints forced us to put the project on hold. During this time, I completed the lyrics. After performing the song for friends, they generously pitched in to help raise the funds needed to start production. It took us about a year and a half to complete the track, balancing our work lives with this creative endeavour. For us, art is about the process, and we thoroughly enjoyed creating this 7-minute-long track.

Could you tell us about the people who helped make this single happen?

I handled the composition, lyrics, and vocals, while Nivin Raphael took charge of production and arrangement. We brought in Kiran Manoharan for the soulful guitar melodies and grooves and Akshai K. Ashokan, a childhood friend, who is also the lead guitarist for the band Gowlii delivered the classic lead guitar; lending almost a Steve Vai-esque energy to the track. Additional electric guitars were played by our friend Gopan Samantaray. Floyd Libera, a prodigious drummer who is the current drummer for the legendary Kerala rock band '13 AD', played the drums, and we recorded the song live at VTP Studios with the help of Vivek Thomas. The recording was done by Sibin Wilson and Sanjay CK, who made the process smooth. Vivek Thomas also did the mixing and mastering, giving the final output an exhilarating touch. The beautiful cover art was created by Arjun Ananth, and the distribution was handled by the music media organisation Alt+.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on another single, set to drop soon, in collaboration with Salman Koroth, a budding artist from my hometown. We’re creating a classic rock single. I’m also working on some electronic projects that will be released as an EP. I’ve collaborated with various artists from the industry, and I’m excited to bring new sounds to my music.

What have been the challenges of being a homegrown indie singer-songwriter, especially as someone creating music in a regional language?

The biggest challenge is visibility. There’s limited guidance, and the editorial playlists for regional languages are few. For instance, Spotify’s 'Indie India' playlist primarily features Hindi songs, with very few regional tracks. It’s frustrating, as many beautiful compositions go unheard. Our community should support regional musicians to keep them motivated. 

Being a full-time musician is exciting but also challenging, as it’s hard to sustain a living from it alone in our country. There are also limited venues for independent artists to perform and promote their music offline. I believe finding a balance between your artistic life and other work is crucial for survival and to maintain creativity.

You can follow Ahin here.

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