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Folk is his forte
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Meet Kamaraj, who is passionate about folk ditties
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NATIVE SINGER: He goes around villages for musical inspiration Photo: S. Siva Saravanan.
When 23-year-old M. Kamaraj sings, you are forced to listen. He doesn't impress you with peppy numbers or chartbusters. These are songs that you've probably never heard, but, nonetheless, can associate with.
Kamaraj, who is physically challenged, comes out with a folk song to suit the occasion. A final year Masters in Social Work (MSW) student at the Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya (SRMV), he started singing when he was in class VI.
"It is a passion. I derive a lot of satisfaction by crooning folk songs. I like them because they relate to the common man — his joy and suffering. You have songs for every occasion (oppari, thalattu and the like). Manvaasanai and the lifestyle of villagers is unique and is a great source of inspiration," he observes.
Though Kamaraj has been participating in music contests for quite sometime, the crowning moment came when he won the first prize in the marabu raaagam category in an event organised by the South Zone Cultural Centre of Tamil University, Thanjavur.
He visits villages near his colleges to know the culture and tradition of the people. "Whenever I get time, I go to villages. By observing things, I am able to compose songs instantly," he says, smiling. Even as he talks, he hums a popular kummipaatu. The beat of his melam (small drum) and his voice merge to create an enchanting folk number.
Where does he get the material for songs? "I read research books on folk music. It is not easy to collect information on this subject. Sometimes, you don't even get the ragas for songs. You have to compose based on whatever you have observed and learnt."
Kamaraj is also involved in spreading social awareness messages through folk songs and has trained National Services Scheme volunteers. He has done campaigns on rainwater harvesting, AIDS, poverty and women's problems.
"Ethanai murai kaapi kuduppa... ethanai murai kaathu kedappa engal akka is a simple song on the dowry problem. People relate to it. Folk music is a powerful medium and can be used effectively to create awareness on social issues. But, it is difficult to find folk songs these days and the tradition is slowly disappearing. We have to revive it," he says.
Kamaraj has been learning Carnatic music for the past few years under Muthu Bhagavathar and Sulur T. Swarna Kulandaivelu. "Though there is no need to know Carnatic music for singing folk songs, you can gain in-depth knowledge in music by learning it," he avers.
M. ALLIRAJAN
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