Aoora Talks About Bringing K-Pop Charm to Kerala Folk Music on 'Thi Thi Thara'

The South Korean pop artist worked with go-to producer Fridayyy and pop artist Sireesha Bhagavatula, plus saxophonist Mellow Kitchen

- ANURAG TAGAT

From singing festival songs to trying his hand at Assamese and Bollywood classics, Korean artist Aoora's latest song takes him to the backwaters of Kochi, singing "Thi Thi Thara (Kuttanadan Dreams)" with singer-songwriter Sireesha Bhagavatula.

Aoora says over a video call, "Before this song itself, I used to find so much South Indian music very interesting. I was listening to the songs, watching the music videos. I felt I could try working in this space of South Indian music. I have so many fans in Kerala also, who used to say 'You should make a song like this."

In the process of being in and out of India over the years - including appearing on one of India's biggest reality shows, Bigg Boss season 17 as a wild card contestant in late 2023 - Aoora has picked up a bit of the local languages. He excitedly shouts "Chalo!" and "Roko!" during our call. After putting out "Thi Thi Thara," he mentions the Malayalam word "adipoli." "It's a very fun word," Aoora says.