Kerala   

Music in him still sings

Mr. Ayyappan cannot live without music even now when most of his time is taken up by running the district administration, says Sangeeth Kurian

Administration and music may not appear to promise the most fertile of relationships. The former entails a love of logic, and the latter dreaminess. But not for N. Ayyappan, District Collector. This official is at ease with both worlds. Believe it or not, he has given over 200 stage performances as a singer so far. "No I haven't learned music," he hastens to add. "I picked it up by listening to the radio and from the records of new releases played in cinemas," he said.

It goes to his persevering spirit that Mr. Ayyappan was adjudged the best singer twice while studying in Calicut University for his post-graduation.

His first stage performance was while studying for the pre-degree course in S.N. College, Kollam. Later on, encouraged by his friends, he started singing for a music troupe based in Kollam and started performing at temple festivals.

"My first love was always music. In college, more than studies, my interest was in music. But then, I was not sure of taking it up as a profession," he said.

Mr. Ayyappan began his career as an officer with the Finance Department after completing his post-graduation. But his passion for music continued, and in the 90's, he brought out Smrithikal, a cassette consisting of 10 songs, all-time classics from Vayalar and Devarajan. This was followed by another cassette, Onappattukal.

The cassettes provided him with an opportunity to sing for a film. Though the film failed to make it to the theatres, the two songs, which he sung under the direction of Mohan Sithara, are currently aired by All India Radio.

Mr. Ayyappan is a member of Ganasmrithi, a club of music lovers in the city. "Before becoming Collector, I used give a performance almost every month at the club," he said.

Some of his favourite songs are Alliyambal Kadavil, Kadarumasam Nadarumasam, Sanyasini Nin Punyasramathil, Bharoon Phool Barsao, Tere Mere Sapane and Teri Pyari Pyari Soorat.

According to him, not many songs these days have the power to linger in the minds of listeners. "After one or two days, you forget it," he said. "But not with some of the oldies. The songs written by Vayalar had several layers of meaning to it. His `Veenapoove Kumaranasante...' is a philosophical reflection of life," he sings to drive home the meaning.

I grew up listening to Yesudas, but Rafi is a great singer, he explains to a question on who is his favourite singer.

"The satisfaction you get from singing is immense. For me music is like oxygen. I cannot live without it. I may not be able to sing frequently on stages as I used to, but it will remain a part of my life till my death."

N. Ayyappan

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