Came, composed, conquered
P. K. AJITH KUMAR
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Music director Vidyasagar, who has won three Kerala State awards, says his best works are in Malayalam.
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I am at my best when I compose for Malayalam films.
Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup
AT HOME IN KERALA: Vidyasagar is now working for film directors Kamal, Lal Jose and Sibi Malayil.
Many popular Malayalam songs composed during the last 10 years were composed by a man who was born in Andhra Pradesh and is now living in Tamil Nadu - Vidyasagar. Like Salil Choudhury and Ravi, he came to Malayalam cinema, composed and conquered.
"I am at my best when I compose for Malayalam films," says the composer who won the National award for a Telugu film last year and who also has hits in Tamil to his credit, including `Chandramukhi,' `Dhool,' `Gilli,' `Run' and `Thirumalai.' Vidyasagar, who has won three Kerala State film awards, was in Kozhikode recently to receive the Mullassery Music award, which he won for his songs in `Chanthupottu' and `Chandrolsavam,' the only Malayalam films he worked for in 2005.
Vidyasagar, who made his debut in Malayalam movies in 1996 with `Azhakiya Ravanan,' recalls, "While composing `Vennila chandanakkinnam... ,' I never thought I would work for so many Malayalam movies. I asked Kamal, who was the film's director, to pick out the tunes that sounded new. This was because I wanted my songs to sound different; you know you tend to like some numbers immediately because they sound like certain popular songs, but as a composer you wouldn't be noticed. It was that movie that brought me to fore. Although I had done good work in Tamil and Telugu films earlier, they weren't noticed."
According to Vidyasagar, who plays 11 musical instruments, he pushes himself a little further when he works for a Malayalam film.
Top of the charts
"You tend to to do something extra for people you like. And you often come out with your best when you do so. No wonder my best works are in Malayalam," says this composer who has churned out chart toppers like `Karale nin ... ' (`Devadoothan'), `Vennila kombile... ' (`Ustad') and `Prabhathathile nizhalu pole... ' (`Madhuranombarakkattu').
Vidyasagar's plus point is that he ensures all the songs in a film are equally good. It is not just one or two that stands out in an album.
So, how is it that he is at home when composing Malayalam songs?
"I have a flair for languages. And I believe melodies are appreciated despite the language they are set in. In fact, when I composed a piece for a Malaysian film in Malay, people told me it sounded just like any other Malay song."
Vidyasagar, who made his debut as a composer with the Tamil film `Poomanam' in 1989, says he doesn't accept all the offers that come his way.
"I know I have a reputation to live up to. Right now, I am enthused about two films I am doing in Tamil - `Periyar,' a period film, and `Mozhi' a love story about a musician and a girl who is hearing and speech impaired."
The composer will be composing for a couple of Malayalam films too. "I am working with Kamal, Lal Jose and Sibi Malayil. I would like to do more Malayalam films and with more directors," he says.
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