Another star on the horizon!

It almost gives you theimpression that it is his favourite. However, the musician dismisses the idea,even as he sports a smile. ���Personally, my favourite is the song LeysaParakudu... from the same film. However, Mannai Thodu has a lot of energy and soI���ve retained it as my caller tune,��� he says and goes on to talkabout the amazing response to his music for the film. ���Some FMchannels play the songs of the movie at least four to five times a day,���he says, his voice brimming with joy. But that���s not the only reason forhis delight. ���When Ustad Zakir Hussain called me on my mobile, he heardthe caller tune and asked, ���I know Shankar Mahadevan sang that song, butwho did the music?��� When I told him I had done the music and that it was asong from my film, he was pleased. He wanted to have a copy of the audio CDwhich I handed to him during the Asia tour. During that tour, we performed atseveral places including Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore andAustralia. Throughout the tour, he kept listening to my songs. He really likedthem and used to say, ���It���s amazing. They���ve given meenergy.��� For me, those words of appreciation meant a lot. I value themmore than an award.���Selvaganesh, who is the son of legendaryCarnatic musician Vikku Vinayakram, is an accomplished Kanjira player and haspresented several spell-binding concerts to enthral scores of music lovers. Now,he has entered Kollywood to treat fans here to some of his magic.���Actually, my tryst with Kollywood started with another project thatI was supposed to do with Anand Chakravarthy, the producer of VKK. We weresupposed to do a film called Namanai Anjom. But due to unavoidable reasons, itdidn���t happen,��� he says. ���The cameraman for that film got anopportunity to do VKK. He brought Suseendran, the director of VKK, to meet meand narrate the script. When they called on me, Anand was with me. Suseendrannarrated the script to me and Anand, who listened to it, was impressed and toldSuseendran, ���Let���s do this project. I will produce this film.���As there was a lot of scope for music, I too agreed,��� heexplains.The music for the movie has been impressive, more thanmaking up for the absence of an impressive star cast and has put the film on themovies-to-watch out-for list.The gifted musician has showed with VKK thathe can not only excel as a Carnatic musician, but can also successfully adapthimself to Kollywood. Did Kollywood music require any special efforton his part or did it come naturally to him? ���It came verynaturally,��� he explains. ���I don���t know how others feel. By myfather���s blessings, I���ve been to different parts of the world andI���ve learnt from my experiences. I listen to Miles Davis for jazz and Iuse that melody to bring in the sober mood. I���ve played with Omar Hakim,the greatest funky drummer, and Dennis Chambers. These experiences have reallyhelped me. I explore options and see how I can use those experiences and producemusic acceptable to our audiences.���On his future projects, themusician says, ���I have two or three projects lined up. The same produceris going to do two more movies.������I���ve alwaysdreamt of settling down in India and doing music. Last Deepavali, I was inJapan. Can you imagine celebrating a festival away from home,��� he askseven as he says, ���This year too, I have many tours. I have a tour in Marchand one in April. Now, I���m looking to cut down on long tours. As forKollywood, I���m looking at doing more movies.��� Good newsfor the industry, we���d say!manigandan.kr@timesgroup.com