A bards tale

Born into a musically-inclined family in Punnapra, it was Kalavur Balan who first gave him a taste of recordings, through professional drama songs. During his college days, he was often contacted by ganamela troupes. “In fact, I substituted this particular singer of Maharaja’s College when he couldn’t turn up for concerts. Later on, I knew it was Biju Narayanan!” His voice captured the attention of Johny Sagariga who recorded many songs with him, which later came to be used as fillers in film songs. After completing his degree, Sudeep did law from Thiruvananthapuram.“In my final year, I got a chance to accompany Bhavana Radhakrishnan for a concert in Dubai. I didn’t write the exam, since I was sure that I would fail! The decision to go to Dubai was a turning point. Any way, I did write the law exam and got myself enrolled. Interestingly, I often forget that I am an advocate!”A shaky start in tinsel townThough he got his first film song in 1998 (in Jayaraj’s ‘Thalolam’), it was not included in the film. In the next 10 years, he went on to sing in over a dozen films. But some songs were not picturised, some were only part of the CD, some were filler songs and some went unnoticed.  Films like ‘Chitrashalabham’, ‘Daya’, ‘Kanmadam’, ‘Rakthasakshikal Zindabad’, ‘Sneham’ and  ‘Sooryaputhran’ would fall into that list. Vinayan’s ‘Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan’ (‘Adharam sakhi madhuram...’ and ‘Mullakku kalyanaprayam...) came as a breather as his songs were indeed part of the film. Vinayan also gave him songs in ‘Kaatuchembakam’ and ‘Athbhuthadweep’ (both in Malayalam and Tamil). Live stage shows and anchoring music shows on miniscreen ensured that he was around.M JayachandranIt was M Jayachandran who waved the magic wand for Sudeep. He first sang for Jayachandran in ‘Vellinakshathram’ (the male version of the song ‘Chandanamukile...’ which was only in the CD) and later in ‘Athbhuthadweep’ and ‘Anthiponvettam’ (Vazhiyoram...). “I have known him for many years. While composing the songs for ‘Chakkaramuthu’ he wanted me to help him with composing and that continued for many years. He gave me many live shows as well,” Sudeep says with deep gratitude. Till now he has sung for over a dozen films under him. The first hit from the combo was ‘Ente Shaarike...’ from ‘Madambi’ (2008). He went on to sing for the composer in ‘Banaras’, ‘Chemistry’, ‘Utharaswayamvaram’, ‘Pramani’ (Thamarappadam), ‘Shikkar’, ‘Living Together’ and recently ‘Rathinirvedam’. “He has made me sing not because we share a special bond. He has said on many occasions that he has given me only those songs which he feel I can sing well. Actually, there have been instances when he opted for other singers though my name was suggested. Though we are very close, I am still scared while recording for him!”Another big hit from the pair has been the song ‘Enthedi enthedi panangiliye...’ from ‘Shikkar’. “The producer of the movie (Rajagopal) wanted the recording to be done in Sharjah, which shocked all of us. SPB, K J Yesudas, Shankar Mahadevan and K S Chithra were chosen to sing. It was at the last minute that I was chosen to sing ‘Enthedi...’ with Chithra chechi.  Then Rajagopal Sir had commented, ‘Here come four tigers and a rat! But once the film is released, will the rat become the tiger?’ I am proud about the fact that it was this song which became popular than the others,” he says. G DevarajanThough there was a period when Sudeep hardly got any notable songs, he was lucky in another way. For, he was among the five upcoming singers chosen by veteran composer late G Devarajan as the voices of the next decade. The fivesome- Sudeep, Dr Rashmi, Vidhu Prathap, Julie and Vijeesh Gopal- were trained by the legend. “We learnt from him at his home for free; he gave us food also. He would make us listen to his own compositions and then we would sing. He would correct the mistakes.” In 2000, Devarajan organised a music programme at Tagore Theatre, ‘Puthiya Noottaandilekku’. “He paid from his pocket for the event. P Jayachandran and Madhuri were invited to sing. Johnson was the conductor. Many leading composers were invited. Five of us performed at the programme. Devarajan master told the crowd,  ‘one of these singers will make it big in the coming decade’. He asked the composers present to show the confidence to use our voices. The days I spent with Devarajan master really helped in the formation of the singer in me.”Tryst with seniors“I am lucky to have sung under some of the senior composers, some of them being devotional songs.” The list has names like Dakshinamoorthy, M K Arjunan, Ravindran, Johnson, Ouseppachan, Ramesh Narayan, Vidyadharan etc.Music industry“Everybody is engaged in a race and nobody wants to be left behind. I have understood that nowadays, one hit a year is a huge thing for a singer. It would sustain him/her in the industry for 6 to 7 months. Our people take time to accept a new voice and I am happy that they are slowly accepting me. I have learnt Carnatic music and would like to pursue it more seriously.” Besides ‘Rathinirvedam’, the recent hits of Sudeep has been ‘Erivenal...’ from ‘Janapriyan’ and the title song of the dubbed Telugu movie ‘Dheera’ (‘Dheera...’)Reality showsThe best part of reality shows is that people have started listening to more songs. But, the negative side is that within a year or so the profile of a contestant changes. He/she gets tuned to that platform. More than music, it becomes a race for fame and money.FamilySon of Kainakari Surendran , an author, and K M Rajamma, Sudeep is married to Sophia, an accomplished dancer from Kalamandalam. The couple has two daughters.