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She hits a new high
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"Perhaps, I am one of the few to have experienced a meteoric rise with a single song," says Malathy Lakshman, the singer of `Manmatha Rasa ... '
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IT IS one of the few songs in the history of Tamil films that created ripples among the people. For months it topped the chart busters. Even in the remotest of places, in small kiosks, the song ran as a business promotion attraction. Released in the last quarter of the previous year, this hit number shattered all previous records - be it in sale of cassettes, the number of times and places it was played, or winning popularity for those involved in its creation. You would have guessed this `superfast' number: `Manmatha Rasa, Manmatha Rasa ... in Thiruda Thirudi'. It perhaps needs no introduction so mesmerising has been the husky voice of the singer, Malathy Lakshman. "Perhaps, I am one of the few to have experienced a meteoric rise with a single song", said the popular singer, in city last week for a live concert. With a glint in her eyes she revealed that her voice in the song is not her "true voice". "During my initial days in the Lakshman-Shruthi troupe, Lakshman asked me to develop a `unique voice' to stand apart from the rest. I started trying songs of the legendary K P Sundarambal (KPS) and cultivated this solid voice."
And it is this consciously and carefully cultivated alter-voice that has swept Malathy to soaring popularity. In a fast-forward conversation, she shared another little known fact about her association with Dhina, who scored the background music for the song. "His father inaugurated my music journey as I learnt Carnatic music under his tutelage and now my music career is accelerated by the son," she said overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude. She candidly confessed that her training did not stretch beyond six months and what she sings now is purely by "God's grace and on the basis of practical knowledge."
Trudging down memory lane, she recalled her maiden performance during her brother's marriage ceremony. "The organiser of the orchestra group, Mr. Shyam, spotted my talent and instantly signed me for his programmes. Soon offers started pouring in from other troupes and finally led me to the tinsel world". Malathy's debut in the film industry was, however, with `Machane, Machane' in the film `Saadhi Sanam".
After arresting the minds of Tamil audience, now she is out to capture audiences in neighbouring States. Some of her latest numbers have already become roaring hits in Andhra Pradesh smashing previous records. To name a few, `Aa ante Amalapuram' in the film "Arya" and `Vanga Mulappu' in the movie "Yours".
Now with several vocations in hand like live performances, singing for political party campaigns and film music, Malathy dabbles her time amid a tight schedule.
In her inimitable way she compares a live performance to a dynamite, where the response is instant and the film music to a Sivakasi cracker, where you have to execute the job and get the feedback.
"Be it dynamite or cracker it is all about the `sound response' that I evoke through my performances. So, my journey will continue," she parts riding on humour.
Memorable moments
MALATHY'S JOURNEY from an orchestra to a playback singer in films is replete with memorable moments. Here are some in her words :"I can never forget a concert in Avadi at Chennai. It was my maiden attempt to sing a folk number of Dr. Vijayalakshmi. Impressed by my performance, an old woman from the audience climbed on to the stage, hugged me and presented a gold chain". "In the finishing lap of my record song I had to sing `Yennai Kanakku Pannen Da' in a different way. I sang over 20 different tunes before the final approval came.""On another occasion, my voice broke when I tried to ape K.P.Sundarambal's song "Thaga Thaga Vena" in its full pitch as in the original version. I had to take a six-day break following this.""The 36-hour non-stop programme, which our troupe performed in Chennai, is a landmark achievement."
M.R. ARAVINDAN
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