Twenty-one-year-old pharmacy student Akhila Puthigae comes from a musically inclined family. She says her mother was her first guru, and her sister, her first student. A trained opera singer, Akhila has been performing ever since she can remember and has enthralled audiences in Sweden and the US. She is now geared up to set the stage on fire in the upcoming Jam Lounge show in Auckland. Indian Weekender spoke to this young talent to find out about her musical endeavours.

IWK: When did you develop an interest in music?

Akhila: I was singing before I could even talk. My mother noticed that I had an interest in music and decided that she would foster it. She made me perform wherever I could, and so I started singing from a young age; perhaps from the age of two! When I was five, I started to learn the piano, and from then, my musical journey started. I took several Royal School of Music examinations and then started to learn the bassoon in high school. Since then, my music has just boomed, especially after competing in competitions and singing in shows such as the upcoming Jam Lounge.

IWK: You’ve performed previously in Sweden and the US. How different is the experience of performing live in these countries compared to New Zealand?

Akhila: Quite frankly, I performed there when I was young, so I don't quite remember performing there. I've only seen videos of myself performing there. However, from what I've seen, the audience is usually quite welcoming and supportive, especially of youngsters, just like here in New Zealand.

IWK: How easy/difficult is it to make your mark as a singer in a country such as New Zealand?

Akhila: There are plenty of opportunities in New Zealand such as the Jam Lounge show coming up, where they try out different music styles and the concepts are new and fresh. When there are such opportunities, I believe that if you want to pursue them, you can. It is quite easy to make a mark as a singer, provided that you have the talent to do so. We can see that with the amazing talent we have here in New Zealand.

IWK: Is singing a mere hobby or would you like to pursue it professionally?

Akhila: Up until now, singing has been just a hobby. I am quite dedicated to my studies and do have a passion towards that, so perhaps music will remain a hobby for a while. But you never know. I'm always open to opportunities and if I can make a career out of it, then I'd love to.

IWK: Who are your musical influences? What songs did you grow up listening to?
Akhila: My main influence is my mother. I share much of her taste, and I feel like her song choices for me never go wrong. Because she used to listen to a lot of old Hindi songs, I grew up listening mostly to classics by Lata Mangeshkarji, Asha Bhonsle, Mukeshji and Mohammed Rafi Sahab. However, I do love to listen to rock music, new Hindi music, and I'm quite a fan of western classical music and jazz.

IWK: Your dream collaboration with an artist/producer?

Akhila: My dream collaboration would be with any jazz artist in the world. I am a crazy fan of jazz, and I guess, if I could go back in time and collaborate with Frank Sinatra, I would be extremely happy. He was so talented and such an amazing singer. Singing with him would be a dream come true. I guess, for now, singing along to his songs will have to do.