Avial

Avial is an alternative rock band formed in Thiruvananthapuram in 2003 and known for singing in Malayalam. The first line-up was vocalist Anandraj Benjamin Paul, guitarist Rex Vijayan, turntablist and backing vocalist Tony John, bassist Naresh Kamath and drummer Mithun Puthanveetil. The 2003 single Nada Nada was the band's first breakthrough.

The band calls its style alternative Malayali rock, setting Malayalam lyrics, many drawn from folk songs and poems, to rock arrangements. Its self-titled debut album, released in 2007, deals with social issues. It won six of seven categories at the Jack Daniel's Rock Awards, and the band also received a Footprints Young Achiever's Award in 2008. Wikipedia notes that Avial reached a mainstream audience while singing in its own language. Paul and Kamath left in 2008, after which Tony John took over vocals and Binny Isaac joined on bass. In 2009 the band recorded Chi Me Sape with the Italian group A67, and it later wrote the songs Aana Kallan and Chillane for a film soundtrack. Its 2012 release, Second Show, is also credited to the band.