Music beyond language

Music is an universal language and Chennai-based Malayalee singers Rahul Nambiar and Aalaap Raju would be among the first to agree with this.
After crooning their way into the hearts of many in Kollywood and Tollywood, they are now awaiting the release of their band Rahlaap’s first Hindi album and have few peppy numbers lined up in Mollywood as well.
The two playback singers, who were in the city as part of their gig in a Kayamkulam college, agree that Kerala’s band culture looks promising with Kochi poised to become a musical hub for young talents and recording artists.
Rahul, who already has few Mollywood hits under his belt such as Neeyam Thanalinu from Cocktail and Amruthamayi from Snehaveedu, attributes it to the shift in Mollywood.
“The industry has opened up for youngsters with desi voices and is now experimenting with music. Also now most of the film song recordings are happening in Kerala,” he says, adding that it’s a fact that some of the best young singers in Tamil and Telugu industries are Malayalees.
Ennamo Edho singer Aalaap chimes in, “Lately, a lot of passionate bands with Malayalee frontmen are coming up with very good music and their own material.” Aalaap is excited about one such project by Chennai-based band Yuvvh in which he has sang his first Malayalam song.
The duo had earlier worked together in Mollywood under Deepak Dev singing backing vocals for Teja Bhai and Family and says they are huge fans of the band Avial.
“They pushed it to the limit in terms of modernizing Malayalam music. They are true innovators,” says Rahul while his band partner and bass guitarist adds, “Avial stuck to their roots without trying to be fake and that made them stand apart.”
On performing in Kerala, Rahul says that he had often found the audience here is more receptive to petty fast numbers that are more in Tamil than Malayalam.
The duo also points out that if the band scene in Kerala has to come up, it’s only a question of getting the people together and organizing more such gigs. “Right now the corporate and colleges are pivotal in creating a vibrant band culture and promoting it,” Rahul adds.