Singer Abby V embodies a musical tapestry as diverse as his geographical roots. With a heritage connecting Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, and Canada, and a sound that seamlessly weaves Carnatic, Hindustani, and Western influences, he has carved a unique niche across languages. Known for hits like Channa Ve Channa and Atharamai, Abby now finds a profound emotional anchor in Bengaluru and the world of Kannada music, marking his cinematic debut with the much-anticipated Kantara: Chapter 1 and contributing to The Devil.
A Global Citizen with a Kannadiga Heart
Abby's personal journey mirrors his eclectic musical style. "I'm a Tamilian originally, but my ancestors are from Kerala. My grandparents moved to Delhi, and I grew up in Toronto, Canada," he shares. While Mumbai became his professional base upon returning to India, Bengaluru exerts a special pull. "I feel very closely attached to Bengaluru. I find a deep association with the city," he confesses, summing up his identity with, "It's interesting — I'm sort of all over the place. I don't really know what my roots are." Yet, he emphatically states, "I've become a Kannadiga at heart, truly."
The Discipline of Sound and Blending Genres
His foundational years were steeped in music, guided by his father's passionate approach. "Music was never taken lightly. If you sang, you sang properly," Abby recalls, highlighting a disciplined upbringing filled with performances and structured learning. Growing up as an NRI, he was, in his words, "overexposed to Indian culture" through a rich diet of classical music, ghazals, and film songs from multiple industries, which later evolved into his full-time profession.
This diverse exposure led him to reject rigid genre boundaries. "I've never segregated Carnatic, Hindustani and Western music in my mind," Abby explains. His singing naturally showcases this blend, where R&B-inflected vibrato meets classical phrasing. "At the end of the day, they're just notes and emotions," he philosophizes.
The Kantara Breakthrough and a Rajkumar Tribute
His foray into Kannada cinema has a modern twist. "I really bagged Kantara through Instagram," Abby reveals, explaining that he was directly approached by composer Ajaneesh Loknath's team without an audition. "For a film of that scale, they could have chosen someone older and more experienced. They trusted me with Kantara — and that's a big blessing," he says, acknowledging the collaborative support from Loknath and director Rishab Shetty.
The connection deepened when a video of him blending Kantara's Madana Mana Mohini with the late Dr. Rajkumar's classic Nadamaya went viral. Noting both songs share the raga Todi (Bhairavi), Abby was overwhelmed by the response. "Many people have asked me to recreate some of his music," he says, hinting at future projects. "I'm working with a couple of producers, and maybe there will soon be a tribute series on Dr Rajkumar."
Abby finds the Kannada language inherently musical and welcoming for singers, facing no pronunciation hurdles. His bond with Bengaluru is reflected in his social media engagement, calling it his "number one city." He is actively learning Kannada and expresses a strong desire to relocate. "I'd love to move to Bengaluru if I get the opportunity to sing a lot more Kannada songs," Abby concludes, solidifying his heartfelt journey into the soul of Karnataka's cinematic and musical landscape.
