A packed Black Box at Stamford Arts Centre erupted in applause on July 3 as Aarpo, Singapore’s only homegrown Malayalee youth band, took a giant leap in its musical journey by staging its first solo ticketed concert.
Aarpo LIVE 2026 was more than just another concert. It marked a coming-of-age moment for a band that has quietly grown from a community initiative during the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic into one of Singapore’s most exciting live music acts.
For nearly three hours, the sold-out audience was treated to an energetic mix of Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi songs, seamlessly blending folk, rock and fusion influences. The performance reflected not only the band’s musical versatility but also Singapore’s multicultural identity, with every song drawing enthusiastic applause from an appreciative crowd.
Conceived in 2021 under the guidance of community leaders Bobby Thomas and Shaji Philip through Kala Singapore, Aarpo (which means roar in Malayalam) was established to provide young members of the Malayalee community with a platform to perform, collaborate and celebrate their musical heritage. Five years later, that vision has evolved into a polished ensemble capable of headlining its own concert.
The chemistry among the performers was evident throughout the evening. Vocalists Aiswaria Raju, Meenakshy Vinayan and Dhanush Anilkumarapillai were backed by lead guitarist Vijith Vijaya Kumar, percussionist Muraleedaran Nair Rageshkumar, rhythm guitarist Sagar Krishna, bassist and manager Akhil Prasenan, keyboardist Sunith Sunil Mani, drummer Arun Prabha and music director Pranav Ramachandran, who also performed on violin and keyboards. Together, they delivered confident performances that balanced technical precision with infectious energy.
For many supporters who had watched Aarpo perform at community celebrations such as Vishu and Onam over the past few years, the headline concert represented the culmination of years of dedication and perseverance.
The band’s story is one of resilience.
Founder Aiswaria, who had previously performed with a corporate band in Chennai, rekindled her passion for music after moving to Singapore in 2021. A message in the Kala community looking for musicians sparked the formation of Aarpo, but the early years were far from easy. Finding committed musicians proved difficult and several early collaborations ended before the group could establish itself.
A turning point came when vocalist Meenakshy joined later that year. As other members gradually moved on, the two remained determined to keep the dream alive, continuing to search for musicians who shared their passion and vision.
Their rehearsals began in Meenakshy’s small apartment, where friendships were forged and the foundations of today’s band were laid. The breakthrough came during Kala’s Indian New Year celebrations in 2025, when Aarpo performed together as a full band for the first time.
Since then, the group has steadily built a loyal following while nurturing young musical talent within Singapore’s Malayalee community.
Akhil said performing a ticketed concert presented a new challenge for the band.
“Performing at a ticketed event raised the stakes for us, and we embraced the challenge with confidence in the arrangements we had worked so hard to create. Seeing a captivated and enthusiastic audience made every moment worthwhile,” he said.
For Aiswaria, the audience’s response was the greatest reward.
“Many audience members told me it was the perfect end to a hectic week and that Singapore needs more moments like this. For a band presenting its very first show, what more could we possibly ask for?” she said.
Kala Singapore’s assistant secretary Sreekanth Menon described the concert as an emotional milestone.
“Aarpo is like family to me. Watching these passionate young musicians, some of whom I have known since they were children, fulfil their dream on a stage like this was incredibly special. This is a huge first step, and I wish them every success as they continue to grow.”
