Matribhumi Samachar English
1. “Varthamanam” means both “present” and “conversation.” How did this dual meaning shape the EP, and what conversations do you hope it sparks with this release?
Aksomaniac: “Varthamanam” was meant to be a set of conversations about the present — and a presentation of the stories in and around my life, packaged in the sounds I’ve grown close to over the years. It was also an exercise in understanding Malayalam writing and Malayalam music as a whole. This was the first time I truly immersed myself in it, not just for one song, but for an entire project.
2. After “Kanmashi” and “Paapam,” how did you complete the EP’s narrative with “Karupp” and “Aliyum”? What emotional arc did you aim for?
Aksomaniac: The EP doesn’t really follow a consistent or overarching narrative. It’s more of an exhibition — an anthology of sounds and stories. What ties it all together is the intimacy of the conversations within it — the kind that rarely find space in Malayalam music, or even in Indian music in general.
3. “Karupp” explores identity and colorism. What personal experiences inspired this song, and how do you hope it impacts discussions on beauty standards in Kerala?
Aksomaniac: As a child, I remember being stopped from going out to play football in the afternoons because I was brown-skinned, and tanning was seen as something undesirable. I’ve been privileged to escape some of the harsher experiences that my friends went through because of how they looked, but I still carried my own insecurities growing up — being told I didn’t look beautiful because of my skin tone. It took time to unlearn that. “Karupp” came from revisiting those memories and processing them again before presenting them to my people.
4. “Aliyum” tackles love and desire, including asexual and expressive natures. What motivated you to address this rarely explored topic, and what message do you wish to convey about diverse intimacy?
Aksomaniac: I wanted to tell this story because it’s a personal account, and that’s how I approach my music — as a gateway into my life, my stories, and my experiences. The message is about being open to diverse people in your life. For me, some of the best connections have come from unexpected places, and I’m grateful to have always had the space to be open and welcoming. With “Aliyum,” I hope they are reminded to embrace differences and welcome them in their own lives.
5. Tell us about collaborating with Damini Bhatla and Unkill Ji on “Aliyum.” How did they influence its sound and message?
Aksomaniac: I first approached Unkill Ji with the idea for the song — I already had the keys and mock vocals laid down. His drums really elevated the track and gave it its identity. Later, Damini brought a playful energy to the narrative with her writing and vocals, teasing the other person in the relationship by asking the asexual partner if they felt inadequate because they only view sex as a form of fulfillment — and in doing so, she playfully disproves that insecurity. These additions made the song more interesting, layered, and well-rounded.
6. How do you ensure your R&B sound, rooted in Kerala’s culture, authentically addresses universal themes for a Malayalam audience?
Aksomaniac: *I think the human experience always resonates, no matter how specific the story. For me, it’s more meaningful to tell these stories in Malayalam, drawing from my life in Trivandrum and Kollam. Connecting directly with my own community creates the deepest impact, and from there, the effects naturally ripple out to listeners from other backgrounds.
My R&B sound comes naturally — I’ve always been an ardent listener — but in 2025, the lines between genres have blurred so much that they’re almost marketing terms. I also approach it from that perspective: the branding and positioning of my music and persona are informed by how past R&B artists have presented themselves, making it easier for people to understand who Aksomaniac is in music.*
7. You aim to open conversations around intimacy in India. How do you navigate these themes within Kerala’s cultural context, and what impact do you hope for?
Aksomaniac: Realistically, the impact I hope for is simply making people aware that these conversations can be presented through music, like I do in my songs. I also want to be someone whose values are easily understood through my work, serving as a point of reference for other musicians who want to put their own values upfront. At the same time, I hope my music can be a source of comfort and assurance for anyone out there who has longed to hear these things expressed on record.
8. “Kanmashi” embraces queerness, “Paapam” confronts intimacy shame. What has been the most impactful feedback from Kerala listeners on these themes?
Aksomaniac: After releasing the “Paapam” music video, we received feedback that led us to rework it into a vertical Instagram visual, which was later appreciated by Anurag Kashyap. That recognition was a very validating moment for us, confirming that we were on the right path with the music and the visuals. We also focused more on how we portrayed shame, taking inspiration from the story of original sin.
9. As a Trivandrum-based artist, how do you see the future of Malayalam Hip Hop and R&B, and what’s your role in its evolution?
Aksomaniac: I see Malayalam Hip Hop evolving into a more nuanced and thoughtful space. Since it’s a culture adapted from the West, there’s still a learning curve around how to approach it authentically. For me, as someone working close to rap and Hip Hop, my focus is on staying true to my experiences and values, and reflecting them in my music. I hope my work contributes to the broader conversation and inspires others to tell their own stories within this scene.
10. How has your partnership with Def Jam India supported your vision for “Varthamanam” and helped reach wider audiences?
Aksomaniac: Def Jam has been a crucial part of my journey, supporting the music with full conviction. Their team has been kind and collaborative from day one — from financing and handling logistics to marketing and positioning the music thoughtfully. Their openness to differences allowed the project to take the shape it did. I’m especially grateful to Sumedhas and Yash Nangare for being such genuine well-wishers of the music.
11. You’ve included “Pappam Pinneyum.” What can listeners expect from this revisited version, and why the new interpretation?
Aksomaniac: With “Pappam Pinneyum,” I wanted to show that shame hasn’t taken over this project. The EP concludes in a space where intimacy continues, but shame doesn’t prevail — autonomy does. Honestly, the biggest reason this version exists is because when I performed it live, people kept asking me to release it so they could listen anytime. In a way, this track is a bonus for everyone who has been with the project — a little gift from me for being by my side.
12. “Varthamanam” is a “musical journal.” How has creating this EP, turning struggles into conversations, impacted you personally?
Aksomaniac: Creating this EP has made me a kinder and more responsible person. When you talk about sensitive subjects in your music, you have to be thoughtful in how you phrase and present them. The goal is to be approachable to as many people as possible, giving them the space to engage with, understand, or even challenge the ideas you’re sharing.
13. What’s next for Aksomaniac after “Varthamanam”? Any hints about future projects or performances?
Aksomaniac: We talked about shame with the music, now we need to dance the shame away.
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