100 and Going Strong

One of the most prolific Malayalam music directors of recent times, M Jayachandran has given us some really lilting melodies and soothing tunes. The recently released Rathinirvedham is M Jayachandran’s 100th film as music director. An ardent lover of Carnatic classical music, he has been performing ever since he was a child. A person who has his roots deep in music, he has clear opinions to make and voices them all without mincing words. Unni Nair gets into a freewheeling interview with the inexhaustible and talented music director.

Congratulations. Looking back after 100 movies, how do you feel?

I’d say I am very fortunate. There was a time when I had to choose between engineering and music. Even when I was an engineering student, I’d imagine that years later, I’d still be going to people seeking chances to compose music. Now when I look back and think about what I had imagined and what I have achieved, I am happy. I won’t say I am fully satisfied, because perfection is something which is unattainable. It’s something that goes on eluding me, moving away and away all the time. It’s all God’s grace and the blessings of my gurus.

Engineering and music, that’s an odd combination.

I have been learning music since my early years. But engineering has been the family trade. My paternal grandfather had acquired a degree in engineering from Banaras. My father’s uncle was an engineer. My father did his PG in engineering. My brother did electrical engineering. So naturally I was to go the same route as well, but even as I began to, I knew I would end up deviating from it.

And music… was there someone in your family who had musical connections?

My parents had studied music and would sing all the time. They used to sing together at family functions, though they were not professional singers. My brother is a percussionist and plays the Mridangam and Ghatam. So as a child, I grew up watching my father sing and I used to start singing with him and hence they taught me music.

How did films happen?

That was totally accidental. I was then working with noted music composer Perumbavoor G Raveendranath. When he was working for the Sibi Malayil directed Aksharam, he wanted me to do the orchestration. I was not too confident about it, but he encouraged me. So there I was, doing the orchestration at Prasad 70 mm. Surrounded by players, I got the feel of what being a composer was all about. It was Gireesh Puthencherry who penned the lyrics for the film. He was impressed and liked me. He walked up to me and said that he would soon give me a gift. The very next day he told me that I’d be doing music for a film independently. His friend Sunil was making a film Chantha and I was to do the music. That was the beginning. Chantha did well at the box office, but the music went unnoticed. Then came Rajaputhran. I did around 15 films between 1995 and 2001. While none of them were noted, I was happy and content that I was working within a new medium, cinema. And I could get the time and opportunity to analyze myself, learn different streams of music and improve my capabilities. That was the time when I’d work 18 to 19 hours a day.

So, when did the big break happen for you?

That was during 2001-2002. It happened with Valkannaadi, the film that proved my worth as music director. The song ‘Manikuyile’ was an experimental one that I tried to compose differently. It is still liked by people and won me the Mathrubhumi Award that year. That gave me a lot of confidence.

You mentioned that Gireesh Puthencherry gave you your first break. He was one of the most notable lyricists of our times. How was your rapport with him?

Gireesh Puthencherry generated me, sustained me and protected me to a great extent. We did 38 films together. Personally he was like an elder brother to me. Professionally we were both uncompromising and hence would argue and quarrel a lot. The thing that I remember the most about him is that whenever he liked a work of mine, he would come across and give me a loving hug and bless me. I say that he was the best lyricist of our times.

Which other lyricist do you feel, forms a good combo with you?

With Kaithapram, I share a good rapport. Our songs in Perumazhakalam were liked a lot. And whenever we did songs like Mappilapattu, they proved chartbusters. Our songs like O Sainaba, Mehruba Mehruba, Ramzan Nilavoththa and Saahira Saahira were big hits.

How would you rate M Jayachandran the singer?

I think I am a singer with lots of limitations, someone who cannot sing all kinds of songs. I am good at songs with a classical base that are emotionally rich like Raakkilithan. I’m just happy that I get an opportunity to sing sometimes.

Let’s come to your 100th film Rathinirvedham. The songs have become popular. How do you feel?

Yes, the songs have been liked a lot. I’ve received good feedback. We wanted its music to be different and I believe we have delivered to the best of our capabilities. Melodies are always appreciated by the listeners.

Other than films, what are you focusing on lately?

I am not doing any albums at present. I have a passion for classical music and so am concentrating on Carnatic classical as well as western classical. I explore the compositions of other artists and learn a lot.

What’s your ultimate ambition, as a composer?

I have a dream of doing an orchestral piece, not as big as Yanni Live at the Acropolis, but definitely one that I can achieve in my own way. I’d also love to do something like an Indo-Arab fusion orchestra. I hope it will come true one day.