Kannada Indie Musicians Ashwin Mandoth and Vivek Kiran to Release ‘Neenillade’
Ashwin Mandoth and Vivek Kiran, two prominent figures in Kannada indie music, are set to release their much-anticipated song titled ‘Neenillade’ on October 6. Translated as ‘without you’ in Kannada, the track captures the profound emotions associated with absence through poignant lyrics and compelling melodies. After dedicating more than a year to perfecting this song, the duo is excited to share their labor of love with audiences.
The Journey of Creation
Ashwin Mandoth expresses his enthusiasm, stating, “I am releasing this song after a gap of two-and-a-half years. We used to practice for six to eight hours daily, apart from live performances.” Having previously released three songs in collaboration with various artists, he describes the release of ‘Neenillade’ as feeling like a debut due to the significant hiatus since his last project.
The musical journeys of both Ashwin and Vivek began in their childhoods, initially shaped by the pressure of learning keyboard and guitar, respectively. What started as obligatory lessons soon transformed into thriving careers, marked by numerous collaborations and significant milestones. “It is quite important to figure out your sound as an artist,” Ashwin notes. He remains optimistic about the future, revealing that they have enough material to stay engaged until the end of 2028, with plans to elevate Kannada indie music onto a global platform.
Since he began performing in 2016, Ashwin has accumulated over 250 shows, including the honor of opening for renowned artists such as Jonita Gandhi. He was also selected to perform at the India-UK RhythmXchange Music Festival in Manchester, solidifying his reputation within the industry.
Collaborative Endeavors
Vivek Kiran, who leads the band Table for Four, has made a name for himself by working alongside esteemed artists including Kunal Ganjawala, Usha Uthup, and Mame Khan. One of his most treasured partnerships was with the late Zubeen Garg, with whom he collaborated on the song ‘Beetein Saare Pal,’ a blend of nostalgia and artistry that holds a special place in his heart.
The Essence of ‘Neenillade’
Ashwin describes ‘Neenillade’ as his favorite creation, emphasizing the joy he found in collaborating with his best friend. “This song is about losing the important people in our lives, in any kind of relationship,” Vivek elaborates. “We have lived through our share of absences, and been through occasions when we have had to let go of a person. This is about translating that absence into a song.”
The emotional gravity of the song is palpable, and both artists express that despite the heavy musical undertones, the essence of ‘Neenillade’ retains a sense of quiet. Vivek explains, “The pain is so intense it requires that kind of sound with distorted guitar, and heavy strings.” They believe that the song’s emotional weight will resonate deeply with listeners worldwide, even if the lyrics may be less accessible to non-Kannada speakers.
The lyrics for ‘Neenillade’ were penned by Rakesh Kumar, whom Vivek considers “an underrated yet great lyricist.” Contributions to the track also include Ashwin’s student Gaana Samskruth, who assisted with composing part of the pre-chorus, while Vivek’s brother Deepak Kiran provided the drumming. Dhruva MB served as the additional programmer and music supervisor, rounding out a talented collaborative team that worked on the project.
‘Neenillade’ is scheduled for release across all major digital music platforms on October 6, with further details available on Ashwin Mandoth’s Instagram profile (@ashwin.mandoth).
