Akshath Gets Candid About NH7 Weekender, Nadaaniyan’s Success & The Power Of Honest Music: 'I Never Chased Virality’ | Exclusive
From singing in his college dorm to headlining NH7 Weekender, indie artist Akshath has carved a space for himself with emotionally rich songwriting and instinct-driven soundscapes.
Before Akshath was standing on the NH7 Weekender stage, he was just another face in the crowd—planning trips with friends, losing his voice cheering for his favorite acts, soaking up the energy that makes India’s most beloved music festival what it is. Fast forward to now, and the indie artist is not just attending—he’s headlining. With heartfelt lyrics, intimate melodies, and a voice that feels like a conversation, Akshath has quietly carved out space in the country’s indie music scene—and this moment is more than just a gig. It’s personal.
In this exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Akshath reflects on what it means to go from audience member to performer, and how artists like Prateek Kuhad and Jonita Gandhi have inspired, challenged, and collaborated with him. He talks about balancing an engineering degree with a growing music career, why he doesn’t believe in chasing virality, and how Nadaaniyan, the breakout track that touched millions, wasn’t born from a formula—but from instinct.
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Whether he’s performing for a massive crowd or writing alone with a guitar, Akshath’s goal remains the same: to make you feel something real. From the introspective Tu Hai Kya to the genre-blending Saza, he continues to expand his sonic palette—always staying rooted in emotional truth.
Read on as Akshath opens up about vulnerability, bilingual songwriting, the pressure of expectations, and the song he’s most afraid—and most excited—to release next.
Here are the excerpts:
NH7 Weekender has become an event where artists and fans create unforgettable moments. What does performing at this event mean to you?
NH7 Weekender has always had this magic around it. It’s one of the OG festivals in India, and for years, it’s been the place where music lovers come together to experience something special. I’ve been in that crowd, planning trips with friends, hyping up the lineup and just soaking in the vibe as a fan. So now, to be on the other side, performing at the same festival that I’ve admired for so long—it’s surreal. What makes it even more special is that I’m playing alongside people I used to have these conversations with, people I’ve shared that excitement with as an audience member. It’s a full-circle moment, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
With artists like Prateek Kuhad and Frizzell D’Souza sharing the lineup, does performing alongside artists like these motivate you?
Oh, 100%. One of the best things about playing at events like NH7 is that you’re not just performing—you’re also getting a front-row seat to some of the best artists doing their thing. Sharing the stage with musicians like Prateek Kuhad and Frizzell D’Souza is inspiring because you get to see up close what makes their acts so special. Their stage presence, their connection with the audience, the little nuances that set them apart—it’s all a learning experience. And at the end of the day, we’re all here because we love music, so being in that environment, surrounded by so much talent, just pushes you to bring your best.
Your music thrives on emotion and connection. How do you create that same intimacy when performing for a massive festival crowd?
The key is making every person in the crowd feel like you’re singing just for them. Of course, having a tight sound and a great band is the foundation, but beyond that, it’s about the connection. If, as a performer, you can lock in with the audience—whether it’s through eye contact, the way you deliver a lyric or even just the energy you put out—you can create that same intimacy that someone would feel listening to your music alone with their headphones. It’s about making a massive festival stage feel personal, and that’s something I always try to bring to every performance.
Balancing a degree in Information Technology while pursuing music must have been challenging. Did your academic background ever influence your music, either in songwriting or production techniques?
IT as a degree doesn’t directly tie into music, but in a way, it’s shaped my journey more than I expected. For one, the people I first got into music production with—the ones I learned alongside, experimented with, and grew with—were all people I met in college. Many of them are still my closest collaborators today, and I wouldn’t have crossed paths with them if I had taken a different academic route.
And then there’s engineering itself—it teaches you problem-solving, adaptability, and what we call jugaad—finding creative solutions with whatever’s available. That mindset comes in handy no matter what field you’re in, and in music, it’s been a huge asset, whether it’s figuring out production tricks, handling live performance challenges, or just navigating the industry. So while IT and music might seem worlds apart, the experiences and skills I picked up along the way definitely shaped the musician I am today.
Nadaaniyan became a sensation, resonating with millions. What was the inspiration behind the song, and did you anticipate such an overwhelming response?
I was always positive about the song and hoped it would connect with people, but I never imagined it would take off on the scale that it did. That’s the kind of thing you can’t predict—you just put your music out there and hope it finds its way to the right ears.
As for the inspiration, there wasn’t a single moment or story that sparked Nadaaniyan. For me, songwriting often happens in these random bursts—sometimes I’m just sitting with my guitar, sometimes I’m messing around with a beat on my computer, and sometimes a melody just hits me when I’m driving or taking a shower. It all comes together naturally.
What made Nadaaniyan special, was a conscious decision to make it feel deeply personal. At its core, the song is about love and attraction, but I wanted to anchor it in something specific—something that would make the listener feel like it was written just for them or about someone they hold close. Lines like [insert specific lyric example] give it that intimate touch, and that’s what made people connect with it in such a strong way.
The song’s lyrics feel deeply personal yet universally relatable. Were there specific life experiences or emotions that shaped its narrative?
There wasn’t one single experience that sparked Nadaaniyan, but rather a collection of moments, memories, and emotions that found their way into the lyrics.
Subconsciously, the song was shaped by the people I’ve loved, the connections I’ve had, and the feelings that linger from those experiences. And maybe that’s why it resonates the way it does—because even though the lyrics come from a personal space, they tap into emotions that feel familiar to everyone. It’s that balance between deeply personal and universally relatable that makes a song special.
When a song goes viral, expectations rise. Did Nadaaniyan’s success put any pressure on you to replicate that magic in future releases?
There’s always some level of subconscious pressure when a song does really well—you can’t help but wonder if the next one will connect the same way. But for me, music has always been a dream job, and I try to see it as more of a game than a race. Every song, every gig, every collaboration—it’s all a new challenge, and instead of stressing over expectations, I focus on enjoying the process. At the end of each release, I look back, see what worked, and what I can do better, and then move forward to the next one. That mindset keeps things exciting and lets me keep growing as an artist without getting caught up in the pressure.
How did collaborating with Jonita Gandhi on Nadaaniyan – Flip reshape your vision for the song? What was it like working with her?
So, Nadaaniyan – Flip and the version with Jonita Gandhi are actually two different versions of the song. But working with Jonita was an amazing experience for two key reasons.
First, we got to explore a female perspective on the song, which wasn’t something I had thought about much before. It added a whole new layer to the track and made it feel more complete in a way.
Second, just collaborating with Jonita was truly inspiring. She’s incredibly accomplished, yet she remains so grounded and open to creative ideas. There was no pressure, no restrictions—we were just two artists having fun, bouncing ideas off each other like good friends. That kind of creative freedom made the process even more special.
Your 2024 release Tu Hai Kya blends indie-folk with introspective lyricism. How did this song challenge you artistically compared to your earlier work?
Tu Hai Kya was an interesting challenge for a lot of reasons. One of the biggest was the headspace I was in while writing it—it was right after Nadaaniyan, and by then, I had so many voices in my head. Different people from different walks of life had their own expectations, and a lot of that pressure was self-imposed too.
So, making this song was also about tuning out that noise and staying true to the music. I had to remind myself why I started writing in the first place and make sure that Tu Hai Kya wasn’t about meeting expectations but about creating something that felt honest. Artistically, it pushed me to be more introspective, both in my songwriting and in how I approached the entire creative process.
Apart from Tu Hai Kya, you also released Saza and Tu Hai Wajah, both the songs are sonically different from each other. What are the stories behind these two tracks?
Tu Hai Wajah was actually a collaboration with a super-talented producer, Soham. A lot of the sonic identity of that track comes from him, which is why it probably stands out from the rest of my music. It was a really interesting process to work on something that wasn’t entirely from my usual space and to see how someone else’s creative input could shape the sound.
As for Saza, that was one of the most fun projects I’ve worked on. Before I even started, I made a promise to myself that for this track, I’d follow my gut 150%—no overthinking, no second-guessing, just pure instinct and fun. Every decision, whether it was the composition, lyrics, or production, came from that mindset. And the result reflects that energy—it’s a song that feels free, unfiltered, and just really fun to listen to and perform.
Many of your songs are built around emotional depth and vulnerability. Is there a particular track that was the hardest for you to write or release?
The most vulnerable track and the one that was the hardest to write and will probably be the hardest to release—is actually not out yet. But it’s coming next. So yeah, stay tuned for that.
Your bilingual songwriting in Hindi and English allows you to connect with diverse listeners. Do you find yourself naturally gravitating towards one language when writing, or does it depend on the emotion of the song?
It’s been a few years since I last wrote in English. Initially, I found it easier because that’s how I naturally think. But there’s something special about Hindi—the language just has a magic of its own. Over time, I’ve found myself writing in Hindi much more, and now it comes to me just as naturally.
That said, I don’t think one language is better suited for any particular emotion. Whether in English or Hindi, you can create something equally compelling. It all depends on what you’re feeling at that moment and what the song itself demands.
Your music often explores themes of love and longing. Do you consider yourself more of a romantic or a realist when it comes to life and relationships?
I’d say I like to strike a balance between both. Romance brings the emotions that make life and music feel meaningful, but realism keeps you grounded and helps you navigate everything that comes with it. That balance naturally reflects in my songwriting too. Love and longing aren’t just about the idealized moments—they also come with uncertainty, growth, and sometimes, hard truths. I try to capture both sides in my music because, at the end of the day, that’s what makes a song truly relatable.
What’s next for you? What are you currently working on that you are eager to share with your listeners?
I have a song ready, and it’s probably the most emotional track I’ve written so far. It’s deeply personal, and I’ve only performed it live once or twice in very intimate settings. I’ll also be playing it at NH7, which I’m really excited about. When I shared it with a small group of fans, their reactions were exactly what I had hoped for—some were tearing up, some shared how it made them feel, and that kind of connection is what makes releasing music so special. I can’t wait for more people to hear it and experience it in their own way.
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