Aksomaniac, a Malayali musician based in Kochi, has achieved global recognition with his latest track “Amsham,” a Malayalam song blending electronic and traditional sounds. The song recently entered Spotify’s Viral 50 Global chart, peaking at number 42, a significant feat for an independent Indian artist and a Malayalam song.
“Amsham” originated as a casual experiment during a livestream session, built around a sample of a traditional Malayalam folk song, “Kannukal Karayukayum.” Aksomaniac, whose real name is Arun Surendran, layered electronic beats and textures over the sample, creating a unique and captivating sound. He initially uploaded the track to SoundCloud and Instagram, where it quickly gained traction, particularly among the Malayali diaspora.
The song’s viral success on TikTok played a crucial role in its global reach. Users created over 50,000 videos using the audio, showcasing diverse content from dance routines to scenic visuals. This organic growth propelled “Amsham” onto Spotify’s radar.
Aksomaniac describes his musical style as a fusion of various influences, including electronic music, Indian classical, and Malayalam folk. He emphasizes the importance of preserving and reimagining traditional art forms. He’s been creating music for around eight years, initially focusing on remixes and evolving towards original compositions.
The artist attributes the song’s appeal to its nostalgic quality and the emotional connection it evokes, particularly for Malayalis. He hopes the success of “Amsham” will encourage more people to explore Malayalam music and independent Indian artists. He is currently working on an EP and plans to incorporate more traditional Malayalam elements into his future work. Aksomaniac is signed with independent record label Qilla Records, who assisted in getting the song officially released on streaming platforms. The song’s success demonstrates the growing potential for regional Indian music to gain international recognition through digital platforms.
