The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : The Bombay boy with silky voice

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 29, 2006
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

The Bombay boy with silky voice

"It doesn't feel like a professional relationship [with A.R. Rahman], the atmosphere is so casual"

Naresh Iyer

The voice of the affable Naresh Iyer had the whole country swaying to songs such as `Roobaroo' in `Rang De Basanti' and more locally `Munbe Vaa' from `Chillunu Oru Kadhal'. Susan Muthalaly spoke to him about working with A.R. Rahman, being a Bombay boy in Chennai and signing his first autograph.

It's hard to believe that Naresh Iyer is 25. He looks 15, and has the enthusiasm of a 10 year old. Even though he has done several interviews since he hit the national headlines after the success of the `Rang De Basanti' (RDB) soundtrack, for which he sang three songs, he manages to sound excited. "If you are bringing a photographer, I will have to dress well. I'm going through all my good clothes so fast these days, doing so many interviews," he says. And, he insists on going to a different café for the interview, saying he might as well try new places in Chennai.

Dream comes true

If you have heard of Naresh, then you have probably heard of the story about how A.R. Rahman gave him the good news-bad news line. This was at a national singing competition last year, where Rahman had to judge 25 finalists. The bad news: he was out of the competition. The good news: he would be working with Rahman...

In less than a week, he was at the composer's studio, recording a track for him. And then he had his first big hit `Mayilirage' (Anbe Aaruyire). Since then he has been used for nine songs by Rahman.

About Rahman, he says, "Everyone thinks he is really serious but after one or two meetings, he is so warm. It doesn't feel like a professional relationship, the atmosphere is so casual."

When the `Rang De Basanti' album came out, he was so surprised that Rahman went with his voice for three songs. "I thought he would dub over it. With Rahman, you never know what the song will sound like until it is out," he said.

Career highs

Career highs, besides working with Rahman, include a song for Vadivelu in `Imsai Arasan... '. Says Naresh, "I am a huge fan, he is so talented and has come up on his own. A comedian becoming a hero is a big thing. When I met him during the recording, I asked for his autograph."

Naresh himself has signed many autographs, though he hasn't yet decided on a signature style. The first time, which was at a Rahman concert, he just signed his name. "But, I am planning to come up with a standard inspirational line that will be relevant for everyone. I'm still thinking of a good one," he says.

He said singing in Tamil is not difficult as they speak the language at home. "Of course, sometimes I don't understand what I am singing, and I write down everything in English. But, knowing the language really helps."

Since he relocated to Chennai because of his work, he has become a connoisseur of food from the `Bhavans: Saravana Bhavan, Vasanta Bhavan, Raaj Bhaavan. He says, "I really like Chennai."

Chennai seems to like him too. After the name he created as Rahman's protégé, he has worked with city-based music directors including Srikant Deva and Vijay Antony. He has even sung a Bhojpuri number for a yet-to-be-released album.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu