Akash Chhina Interview
Q.You introduce yourself as a singer, lyricist, actor, shayar, and composer. Among these, which voice feels the most honest to you and does it change with time or life phase?
Whenever I step into any form of art—whether it’s singing, writing lyrics, acting, poetry, or composing—I lose myself completely in it. Each expression feels immersive in its own way, almost like a form of meditation. Art, to me, is the purest connection between the inner self and the outside world.
I don’t believe this feeling will change with time. If anything, as I continue to refine and deepen my craft across these five areas, I’ll only grow stronger and more confident. My ultimate aspiration is for the world to recognize me as a complete artist, one who lives and breathes creativity in every form.
Q.Your work strongly blends shayari with melody, something rooted in Urdu–Punjabi poetic traditions. What responsibility do you feel while translating poetry into music for a generation that often consumes it in 30-second reels?
I’ve been focusing quite a bit on writing two-line shayari, though I’ve also created longer compositions and full-length songs. Crafting a powerful thought in just two lines requires depth and precision—it’s a true test of expression. When you can convey profound meaning in such a brief form, it reflects both intellectual strength and artistic maturity, and literary audiences often appreciate that quality in a shayar.
Q. Many of your songs revolve around love, separation, and longing, but they never feel repetitive. How do you keep emotional themes fresh without losing their depth?
I believe that when a person is in love, they experience a wide range of emotions—at times feeling loved, secure, or confident, and at other moments insecure, insignificant, or even lost. Love is not a single emotion; it’s a journey through many nuanced emotional states. Having experienced deep, unconditional love myself, I’ve been able to express these shifting feelings through my writing, which keeps my work emotionally rich and diverse.
Q. You often tell stories visually as much as lyrically from rain, silences, to minimal expressions. How important is visual storytelling in shaping how today’s audience understands music?
I believe visual storytelling serves as a powerful tool for expressing emotions more effectively in music. Often, certain concepts are deeply nuanced, and different audiences interpret lyrics in varying ways based on their personal experiences. Visual elements help clarify the context, conveying the specific situation, pain, joy, or emotional state behind the lyrics. This added dimension enhances the overall quality of the artistic work and creates a more lasting impression on the audience.
Moreover, research supports this perspective. According to cognitive psychology studies, people remember approximately 80% of what they see versus only 10% of what they hear. The "Picture Superiority Effect" demonstrates that after three days, people retain about 65% of visual information compared to just 10% of verbal content. Dual coding theory further explains that combining visuals with music creates multiple memory pathways in the brain, making the artistic message more accessible, memorable, and emotionally resonant for audiences.
Q. As an independent artist with a global audience (India–Canada), what differences do you notice in how listeners emotionally connect to your songs across cultures?
Emotions and music are a universal language that speaks to anyone who truly listens. While the emotional core stays the same across cultures, I've noticed interesting differences in how my Indian and Canadian audiences connect with my music.
Indian listeners engage with deep emotion. They don't just hear the songs—they dive into the lyrics, exploring every metaphor and poetic detail. There's a personal, intimate connection to the storytelling that comes from shared cultural experiences. The words matter deeply, and listeners feel their full weight.
Canadian audiences connect through the complete experience. They're drawn to the whole picture—the visuals, cinematography, atmospheric moments, and the silences that bring the music to life. For them, the music and visuals work together as one.
Both ways of connecting are equally meaningful. Indian audiences feel through the words, while Canadian audiences experience through the combined audiovisual journey. This difference has shaped how I create—I focus on crafting rich, meaningful lyrics while also building strong visual stories. This way, every listener can find their own authentic connection to the music, no matter where they're from.
Q. You’ve consistently grown without chasing viral gimmicks. In an algorithm-driven industry, how do you balance patience, consistency, and the pressure to stay visible?
My approach is guided by a deeper purpose rather than chasing trends. My goal is to spread positivity and experience life through art. I want to gather as many meaningful experiences as possible, so when my time comes, I'll have no unfulfilled desires.
For me, art is a form of meditation, it keeps me grounded and connected to something larger than myself. I believe that when the right moment arrives, success will come naturally, without force. I've always felt that there's a purpose to my journey, almost as if I was meant to do this. That belief helps me stay calm and patient.
Instead of getting caught up in the pressure to constantly chase visibility, I focus on enjoying the process. Consistency comes from authenticity—when you create from a genuine place, the work speaks for itself. I trust that the right audience will find the music when they're meant to, and that faith allows me to stay true to my vision without compromising for algorithms or temporary trends.
It's about playing the long game and finding peace in the journey itself.
Q. If you had to write one line of shayari that describes your journey so far not for the audience, but for yourself what would it be?
Duniya mein Iss Bahane aaya hu....
Kis tran jeena hai is zindgi ko,
Duniya ko sikhane aaya hu.....Akash Chhina”
Bio:
Akash Chhina is an Indian-Canadian singer, songwriter, and poet who started singing at age 5-6 and began writing songs and poetry at 14. He took an unconventional path, earning both a B.Tech in ECE from Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University (2018) and a Sangeet Bhushan in classical music from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh (2017). He trained in classical music under Bhai Sukhpal Singh from 2014-2019.
His music career began in 2018 with songs "Gabru Da Naa" and "Sarpanchi." In 2019, he moved to Canada as an international student and completed his MBA in 2021. During this time, he released "Ibadat" (2021) and worked as a Radio-TV host at Dreamzz Asian TV & Radio BBC (2021-2022).
Since 2022, Akash has continued training in classical music under Ustad Irshad Khan and worked briefly with a theatre group at Gurdip Arts Academy. His recent songs include "Sauhan" (2024), "Hothon Se Keh Do" (2024), "MAAN Jawani Da" (2025), and "DEEWANI Hundi Si" (2025). He performs with Bollywood and Punjabi artists and has modeled in music videos, building his presence across Indian and Canadian music scenes.
Interviewed by: Nidhi
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