Infusion finds its sound in Hyderabad’s evolving music scene

“Infusion’s strength lies in experimentation and versatility,” says singer and co-founder Krishna Chaitanya (KC), who holds a postgraduate degree in Carnatic music from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University.

The band formed in 2019 has carved a space in Hyderabad’s music scene for its mix of Carnatic and Western classical influences.

. Alongside co-founder and drummer Prem Kumar Bhandaru, the members include Manasa Seshu (vocals), Ruthvik Dalli (keyboard and piano), Vijay Nelapati (bass), and Jalidi Sarath Babu (sound engineer). They perform in multiple languages — Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and English — across a range of genres which has helped them make a mark in the musical world.

Members take pictures with the audience after a performance
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Special Arrangement

Hyderabad’s growing appetite for regional and independent music prompted Krishna to form the band. “Regional songs, especially Telugu, have found a wider audience. We wanted to explore that space and see where our sound could fit,” he says. Krishna came up with the name Infusion, to represent the idea of blending styles and musical sensibilities.

When the city’s live music culture began to pick up in mid-2019, the band took a short break after Prem travelled to the U.S., followed by the pandemic pause. Once performances resumed, Infusion returned to the circuit. “The idea was to keep evolving while staying true to the core of each song,” says Krishna, who began his career on television and has since sung for over a hundred films.

Prem Kumar, usually the first to arrive at soundcheck, says being a drummer demands stamina and precision. His career has taken him to the US, Australia, Dubai, Uganda, and London. He has worked with musicians including the late SP Balasubrahmanyam, KS Chitra, and Shankar Mahadevan, and collaborated with composers such as Anup Rubens and MM Keeravani for RRR.

Both Krishna and Prem emphasise the value of formal training. “A strong foundation in classical music gives you the confidence to adapt,” says Krishna, recalling his teacher’s advice that technical skill is what turns potential into craft.

Making a mark
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The band’s first independent release, Chill Mama, explored the idea of slowing down and living in the present. In 2025, Infusion has also composed the soundtrack for the Telugu film Tribhanadhara Barbarik, directed by Mohan Krishna and starring Sathyaraj. Krishna says it is among the first South Indian bands to work on a full-length feature. “We spent two years on the project, creating four songs and the background score,” he says.

Infusion has had two changes in its line-up so far and plans to release more independent material in the coming months.