The sound of independent music is changing the soundscape for new singers and bands. Among them are a handful of female musicians who are hitting the right notes with their songs and compositions. While Neha Nair is already going places as a singer and composer, newcomers Anju Brahmasmi, Gowry Lekshmi and siblings Amrutha Suresh and Abhirami Suresh (Amrutam Gamaya) are striking a chord with young listeners. Artiste management groups like Aum-I Artistes are helping the singers make themselves heard in the competitive music industry.
A child prodigy
At 22, Gowry Lekshmi has a bouquet of achievements. Composing a song at the age of 13, which was later used in Rosshan Andrrews’ Cassanova ,was followed by having veteran K.J. Yesudas sing for her and winning accolades for her first single ‘Thoni’ released a few months ago. Gowry is definitely scoring high with her talent.
“I began learning music when I was three, started writing songs when I was in class four and composed my first song when I was 13. We knew Rosshan through a family friend and that’s how my song ‘Sakhiye’ got selected for his movie. It was released only when I was in college,” she says.
She took to singing seriously a couple of years ago. “Before that I didn’t quite like my voice. I enjoy composing more than singing because I am creating something new,” says Gowry.
Post ‘Thoni’, her musical career has changed for the better. Now she is working on her new composition ‘Theeye theeye…’ (written by her) and planning to bring out her new album next year.
“I am looking forward to a time when independent songs are on a par with film songs,” she says.
Being unconventional
“I do everything in my own sweet style,” says Anju Brahmasmi. Well, she truly has her own style. Right from having an unusual surname to experimenting with her looks, Anju stands out from the crowd. “The concept of ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ inspired me to become Anju Brahmasmi from Anju Joseph. I have always tried to do what I like,” says Anju who has won legions of fans with her full-throated, husky voice in which she gave a new flavour to the Tygaraja classic ‘Entharo Mahanubhavulo’.
Though music has been a constant in her family, it has not been an easy journey for Anju. “My family was more into gospel music and listening to any other genre was not allowed. So I had to listen to other songs on the sly. I didn’t get a chance to learn music either,” she says.
However, in Chennai she got world music on a platter. “There were teachers from Russia, Greece, Cuba and many other countries. I listened to the best of music from around the world. Of course, nothing can beat the richness and depth of Indian music,” says Anju.
Now that she has started working on her new compositions, Anju says she is not part of any competition. “People tell me that I should seek opportunities. But I am not ready for compromises. I do what I love to do, be it singing, partying or interacting with people,” she asserts.
A huge fan of Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone and an ardent follower of the best of English music, Anju also keenly follows ghazals and songs of Ilayaraja and A.R. Rahman.
“The covers that I sing are songs that I actually like. A song has to connect with me…,” she signs off.
Sister act
‘How often does an Indian band get featured on an insanely popular Jewish portal for a cover version of an Israeli folk song traditionally sung at Jewish celebrations? Our ‘Hava Nagila’ goes places!’ This post on the Facebook page of band Amrutam Gamaya captures the excitement of siblings Amrutha Suresh and Abhirami Suresh.
“Amrutam Gamaya was born when we got a slot in Music Mojo on Kappa TV. But the response and accolades have been so overwhelming that we decided to take Amrutham Gamaya forward,” says Amrutha. Abhirami, who is also a VJ on Kappa TV, has acted in a few films, the last one being 100 Days of Love and has Tamil films ready for release.
While Amrutha’s version of the Israeli song went viral, the band also won fans for its peppy rendition of the song ‘Ayala varathathundu’. They recently released three new compositions. Two of them have been written and composed by Abhirami. “One is an English number that reaches out to people who loved ‘Hava Nagila’. Another is a foot-tapping number, ‘Ayyayo…’ that we have composed together.”
Plans are afoot to come out with a video for their version of ‘Vande Mataram’. “The opening lines are sung by my two-and-half-year old daughter Avantika,” Amrutha says.
