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I was fortunate to get this song: Chitra

K. PRADEEP

K.S. Chitra won the National award for her song in the film `Autograph.'

For K.S. Chitra her sixth National award is special. It raises hopes of a return of lyrical songs at a time when popular music has been reduced to a cacophony of cheap imitation of outdated Western trends. This then becomes special for Chitra who has always strived to maintain high standards with her remarkable resilience, ability to apply imagination to her sensuous voice and her unique capacity to sing with imagination.

In the midst of all the noise, when once in a while a song becomes an integral part of the film, when the lyrics get due attention, and the music and voice of the singer fuse harmoniously, it wins instant recognition.

Chitra's song `Ovvoru Pookkalume... ' from the Tamil film `Autograph' was one such instance. And the lyricist Pa Vijay and the singer have been honoured for their efforts.

"I think I was fortunate to get this song. Rarely do you get such meaningful lyrics. Set to Sindhubairavi raga by music director Bharadwaj, the song evokes a lot of positive energy. It is not just my voice that is in it, my heart is also there; my moral convictions have all been transferred into it. It is one of those songs that you could sing anywhere. After it was recorded I prayed that it would be noticed.

"The song forms an integral part of the film. The scene in the film shows some unemployed youngsters who are fed up with life. They listen to the strains of a song from a nearby hall. They walk into the place and see a group of blind musicians. The song sings about life and how one must face it with self-confidence. It exhorts us not to succumb to failure and depression. I heard that a school in Tiruchirapalli is using it as their prayer song and I read somewhere that it has been included in the syllabus of one of the universities in Tamil Nadu."

Bollywood experience

It is songs like this and the recognition for the effort that keeps Chitra focussed on her job despite so many hiccups. Her last award was for the Hindi film `Virasat' (1997) and Chitra had carved a niche for herself in Bollywood. But, like in the case of many South Indian singers, she had to face a lot of drawbacks. There were many instances when her songs were replaced with songs sung by another singer in the audiocassettes and were even removed from the films.

"What pained me was that they never bothered to inform me why my songs were being replaced. Initially, I was really hurt. But then that was not the end of the world. I'm quite satisfied with the offers from South Indian films."

Chitra is now excitedly waiting for the release of Ghulam Ali's new album in which she has sung three songs. "It came as a pleasant surprise. I got a telephone call from Ghulam Ali Sahib asking me if I was interested in singing for his new album. I did not know what to say for a while and readily accepted it. Ashaji (Bhonsle) and Ghulam Ali Sahib are the main singers. I have a folksy number and two duets with Ali Sahib. The music is by Ali Sahib's son. The final mixing will be done in London and the release is, I believe, planned in a grand manner." She has also sung in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's `Parineeta.'

Of late in Malayalam films there is a new trend of cutting out songs from the film and in some cases even from the cassettes and CDs. "This has happened so many times. Nowadays, I cross my fingers when I watch a film for which I had sung, for it may not be featured in it at all. I have sung in a few new films like `Udayon' but I'm not sure how that will turn out."

National recognition

The Padmashri and National award have, perhaps, added to her responsibilities. Talk about the Padmashri Awards and Chitra begins to laugh. The award function went off well but the next day one of the newspapers carried a photograph of Chitra getting an autograph from Shahrukh Khan. "My friends and relatives began pulling my leg. I was doing that for my sister's children who were die-hard Shahrukh fans. I do have a fairly good collection of autographs but this one was not for me."

Chitra has another unique collection. Usually, music directors teach the singers how to render their tunes before the actual recording. Chitra has preserved the records of these training sessions. "This is something I value a great deal. The recordings include the voices of all the music directors who have taught me, right from R.D. Burman and M.S. Viswanathan, to younger directors with whom I have worked. Sometimes it is the pallavi or the charanam of a song, with some of them playing on their favourite instruments."

Although she has cut down on her travel and grinding work schedule after the birth of her daughter Nandana, Chitra still shuttles between various South Indian cities for recordings and performances. All this has stood in the way of her dream of giving Carnatic concerts.

"I still do not know how to face criticism and controversies. I try hard to steer myself away from all that. So, moving into Carnatic music will be only when I'm doubly sure.

"I do try and brush up my classical music but that will not be enough for a full-fledged concert. To keep myself in touch I have come out with a few albums like `Classical Moods' and `Devipriya' that are basically classical kirtans and bhajans. But I feel I still need more time. At this stage of my career there cannot be room for mistakes."

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