Penchant for melody
G. JAYAKUMAR
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Music composer Bombay S. Kamal talks of music and his life in Kerala.
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BOMBAY S. KAMAL: On a musical mission
In the late Fifties, Bombay S. Kamal came to Kerala and decided to make it his home. A decision he never had reason to regret because as he says, "the people here appreciate melody." Since then he has composed music for 13 films and innumerable number of ghazals, qawwalis and poems.
He had composed the music for films such as `Nilavilakku' (previously titled `Adukala,' which had the famous K.J. Jesudas number `Padam nyan padam oru santhwanam') `Aksharartham,' `Sheershakam,' `Police Diary,' `Santhinilayam,' 'Santhitheerangalil,' `Vellaramkilikal,' and so on. He also acted in films such as `Moonumasangalku Munpe,' `T. P. Balagapalan M.A.' `Mukhyamanthri,' and `Yuvajanotsavam.' He scored the music for the following TV serials: `Vaitharini,' `Vetta,' `Kumilakal,' `Gowri Manohari,' `Lubdan Lukose,' `Veerangana,' `Chiriyum Chinthayum,' `Dalangal,' `Sneha Dalangal,' `Amavasi,' `Mohanam,' and `Mortuary.' He has also written poems in Hindi, which were aired by AIR, Thiruvananthapuram in the programme, `Apni Kavitha.' Now this 73-year-old musician continues to work, leading a Spartan life at a little rented house at Mudavanmugal in Thiruvananthapuram.
Tell us about your early life in Mumbai.
After both my parents died when I was seven, I was brought up by my maternal uncle. I got my first lessons in Hindustani music under Mohiyudeen Khan Sahib. By the time, I had passed my matriculation, I came to be known as a qawwali singer.
How did you come to Kerala?
In 1959, I sang one of Mohammed Rafi's soulful numbers at a reception to music director M.S. Baburaj. It was he who invited me to Kozhikode. That was the turning point in my life.
What made you stay on?
Baburaj became my guru. I worked with him for more than a year at Everest Music House in Kozhikode. It was from Babukka (Baburaj) that I learnt to create melodies in Malayalam. Then I got married to Beena who belongs to Thiruvananthapuram, and settled down here.
Tell us about your career in Kerala.
I began to sing Rafi's songs for the late Raveendran's (music director) troupe. I also sang for the leading ganamela troupe, `Voice of Youth' which was led by Gladson. For nearly 20 years, I was one of their lead singers. In those days, we got just Rs.75 for a programme.
My first break came in 1963, when I composed the music for a song written by Kilimanoor Remakanthan. The song `Swapnam Kanatha Rathriyile,' which was presented at the College Day celebrations of S. N. College, Kollam, became very popular. I also worked as the music director for several theatre groups such as Yamuna Theatres and Thalassery Kerala Kala Nilayam.
Dr. Balakrishnan's `Evide En Prabhatham' released in 1979 was my first film as music director. I received a great deal of encouragement from Jesudas, Soorya Krishnamoorthy, P. Bhaskaran and Kilimanoor Remakanthan, who shaped my career in different ways. In fact, Soorya honoured me at their annual festival last year.
Who is your favourite singer?
In 1986, I met Ravi Alumoodan. I scored the music for his film `Nilavilakku' (at first it was titled `Adukala'). The song `Paadam Nyan Paadam Oru Santhwanam' sung by Jesudas as an instant hit. There is something very special about Jesudas' voice. Of the nearly 33 film songs, for which I composed music, he sang 28 . He was also kind enough to allow me to score the music for one of his albums `Sarathkala Pushpangal,' the lyrics were by P. Bhaskaran. The cassettes sold very well. Even today some of the songs are sung at youth festivals and ganamelas.
What is your opinion about songs composed these days?
Some are good, especially M. Jayachandran's melodies. See, A.R. Rahman's numbers may be a success in Tamil and Hindu. But in Malayalam, it is different. It is a rich language and melody alone has place here.
What are you doing now?
I have three films on hand - two in Tamil and one in Malayalam (`Mattakalyanam'). And I am working on some devotional songs as well.
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