Nearly all the songs you have sung are neat melodies. Have you
tried any fast numbers? Which one you are comfortable with, singing
a melody or fast paced numbers?
Bharadwaj gave me this
fast paced folkish number in "Junction" and another one in "Kadhal.Com".
I am comfortable with both melodious & fast paced numbers.
Composers are the best judge as to what will suit a voice based
on the composition.
You have
sung in Rehman, Yuvan, Vidhyasagar and Bharadwaj's music. What
is the difference you feel working with each of them? Please tell
us your experiences with them.
All of them have this
great knack of making a singer comfortable in their own way. Vidyasagar
is ever smiling. When recording for ARR, I was initially a bit
nervous but once on the mike, it was an absolute creative experience.
If you get
an offer to sing a song from Ilaiyaraja, A.R.Rehman, Harris Jeyaraj
and Vidhyasagar at the same time, who will be your choice?
I will pray to God that
this should never happen!!!! I want to work for each one of them
on separate occasions.
Heard that your song in the film
"Kaadhal.com" is the highlight of the album. What is special about
it?
It is essentially a fast
paced number, in a high pitch and totally folkish. You might not
find any trace of PBS in this song. Check it out!
Now Tamil
films have started a new trend of having a melodious song in the
cassette. But it will not be picturised in the movie, stating
that it is too melodious. Your song "Panikaatre" from 'Run' is
one such song. How did you feel when that song didn't make it
to screens?
I enjoyed myself recording
this song, an absolute masterpiece from Vidyasagar. I was upset
because Film & TV media can do a lot to a song. It has a good
recall value.
The "Buck
Buck" song in "Parthiban Kanavu", was a period song. Did you have
to take any special care for that song?
Before recording this
song Vidyasagar told me the background of this song. And by now
I had listened to quite a bit of PBS's songs. Here I had to bring
in his specific rendering style in a few places. Otherwise I just
followed my natural style of singing.
Which is more enjoyable, singing
for films or jingles?
For me being in the studio,
in front of the mike is an absolute pleasure whether it's recording
film songs, jingles. All the time you are creating!!!
Mortein jingle
in your voice is enchanting. Name the favourite jingle in your
voice.
In the Mortein jingle I have
sung for a mosquito!!!. My favourite jingle is one I did a few
years ago for "Johnson's Baby Oil". I sang this in Marathi
though.
What if
you were not introduced by A.R.R. in "Paarthaale paravasam"?
I would not have the
pleasure of giving this interview!!!
Suppose you are strictly prohibited from singing, what will
you do for your living?
You mean prohibited
from singing professionally. I would be still on this 9-5 Technical
Services job with SKF Bearings India Ltd which I quit 6 years
ago. I would possibly be singing in our office get-togethers
and get applauded by my bosses and colleagues. Then my MD would
come and tell me," Balram you are in the wrong profession.
You should be singing in films". This is not some story
but what actually happened on Feb16th 1991 on one of our company
boat parties. Our MD then Mr.Chhaya's one comment changed my entire
destiny.And today I am giving this interview having sung for a
few Tamil films. But I thank God for giving me this talent ,my
parents for helping me develop this talent and last but not the
least my wife Radha for her constant support when I decided to
go professional in this music field.
Balram with
his cool and humble personlity was more than cooperative while
doing this e-interview. We thank him for his precious time and
wish him all that he wishes in his life.
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