Two decades ago at a time when the indie rock scene in India was dominated by English-singing groups, the self-styled Kerala-based band made headlines with their genre-bending, moody brand of alternative Malayalam rock, written in their native tongue. Despite language differences in and outside of India, they continue to receive overwhelming responses, evident in the huge turnouts wherever they play. Not many in Indian alternative rock come close to replicating the band’s feat, or have found success producing music that permeates India’s multilingual society with such immediacy and emotional appeal. To their legions of fans all over India and the subcontinent, Avial will always be the band that “shuns all norms” (Rolling Stone India).

Since 2003, Avial have been making music together, taking inspiration from a broad swathe of musical influences including electronic, folk and alternative rock, and infusing them with earthy Malayalam poetry on social and political issues. Their self-titled debut, which took four years to produce—and which swept up six awards at the Rolling Stone Jack Daniels Rock Awards in 2009—comprises eight tracks including their most popular singles Nada Nada and Chekele (a cover of a Malayalam folk song).