Jacob Gregory-Anupama Parameshwaran starrer 'Maniyarayile Ashokan' produced by Dulquer Salmaan is all set to release on Netflix on August 31 as an Onam gift to all. The debut track, 'Unnimaya...', sung by Dulquer, had already garnered much attention. The song crossed 1 million views on YouTube within a month of its release. Now, the second song from the film, 'Peyyum Nilaavu...', crooned by playback singer KS Harisankar, has also become an instant hit among music lovers. Debutant composer Sreehari K Nair's fresh tunes have impressed the music lovers.
In a candid chat with Onmanorama, Harisankar and Sreehari share their experience working together for the song'Peyyum Nilaavu...', their love for music and dreams.
Excerpts from the interview:
How was the experience working together in creating a soothing romantic melody like Peyyum Nilaavu?
Harisankar: This song came to me during this lockdown season. I should thank Sreehari for giving me such a beautiful song. We became good friends very fast, and I could enjoy the recordings with him. I had a lot of freedom while working for this song. Sreehari conveyed very clearly on how the song should be like, and therefore, it was comfortable for me to work on it.
Sreehari: I had sung the track for the song. But Hari gave it a very different touch. He was quick to provide the right output, and everyone loved it. Working with him was fun. Also, he is someone who gives 100 per cent to what he does. He is earnest that way.
Harisankar: Sreehari is an excellent singer, and therefore his track itself was so beautiful that I had to make sure that I sing it better or maybe at least a level up. (laughs Hari)
How did the song 'Unnimaya' happen and how was the experience working with Dulquer and Gregory during the recordings?
Sreehari: That was fun! We had already decided on who all would sing each song. When we approached Dulquer, he agreed to sing. We sent the track, he learnt it, came to the studio and sang it effortlessly. He is a good singer. It wasn't like a formal recording. Working with them was good with the track being a little quirky.
Sreehari has sung the song Seetha Kalyanam for the Telugu movie Ranarangam. What's the story?
Sreehari: I had sung the track for the song as I was an assistant of Prashant Pillai who was the music composer of the song. When the director of the movie heard the track, he said they will go ahead with that only. And that's how the song became mine. It just happened.
Hari, yours is a family of classical musicians. Did you ever plan to sing film songs?
Harisankar: No, I never dreamt of singing for films. My dream was to do more concerts and learn keerthans. Also, I wanted to teach classical music. I mostly listened to katcheris and visited Chennai during December every year to listen to concerts. That was my life. I never dreamt of becoming a playback singer. Then I formed a band with my friends, and the drive came in later. That opened a way to playback singing.
Sreehari, what was your journey like?
Sreehari: I used to sing during my school days. Those days, my dad used to write lyrics, and I used to compose and record it on phones. Slowly, I started liking it. I wanted to compose a song for just one film but never thought of taking it as a career. Gradually, I learnt about programming while I was in the 11th standard. I did a programming course in Kochi while doing my BCA. Later, I joined an MBA course in Bengaluru, and bought a laptop and keyboard to programme songs. I wasn't working then and was practising most of the time. That's when I joined Prashanth Pillai as an assistant and became part of the mainstream industry. I slowly started doing small independent works. I had worked with the director of 'Maniyarayile Ashokan' previously for a short film. He asked me to join the team when he started working on the new project.
What are your upcoming projects?
Harisankar: Next one is Veyil, and then there's Marakkar too. I have sung for a few musicians as well. Some of the projects are yet to be announced.
Sreehari: I am mostly working on advertisements. When it comes to movies, I am unable to announce the projects due to coronavirus.
