The song ‘Muthuchippi poloru’ from Thattathin Marayathu is a gentle, breezy melody that does not beg for multiple listens to be appreciated. If the Internet is anything to go by, the song is a love story by itself—extracting dedications, emotionally-charged confessions and open declarations of love from listeners. The romantic number has received more than six lakh hits on YouTube and is on its way to becoming an online sensation. Every other minute, some one is tuning into it.
The lead male voice, Sachin S. Warrier, however, does not “really” listen to his own track. “When it is played on the radio, of course, I have to listen to it,” he proclaims modestly. Even as he is soaking in its “unexpected” success, Sachin feels a tinge of disbelief. “I never dreamt that it will be so well received,” he says.
Not a newbie
A software engineer working in Chennai, Sachin is not entirely new to cinema. Composer Shaan Rahman picked him for his earlier project with Vineeth Sreenivasan— Malarvadi Arts Club . His was among the four new voices selected through an online audition. With Thattathin Marayathu , Sachin has got his first real solo. Fans are lavishing praise on his delicate touches. “People say they love the way I pronounce ‘Aisha’ in ‘muthuchipi poloru’…” he says sheepishly. The inherent metallic softness of his voice, however, has invited criticism, too. “Some said Remya’s (his co-singer) voice is more baritone than mine,” he says, laughing. According to Sachin, Shaan Rahman’s choice for the female vocals was apt, as Remya Nambeesan’s rather unconventional voice creates a special mystery around the lead female character.
Working with the young team of Thattathin Marayathu was inspiring for the 23-year-old engineer from Kochi.
The lyrics for ‘Muthuchipi…’ and ‘Thattathin Marayathe Penne…’ were penned by his batchmate Anu Elizabeth Jose. The two had worked together for an album before and Sachin believes the beauty and simplicity of the lyrics enhanced the whole experience. “The uniqueness is that we get to see a woman’s perspective on love,” he says.
Though it is ‘Muthuchipi…’ that has reached chartbuster proportions, it is the shorter melody ‘Thattathin Marayathe Penne…’ that Sachin holds closer to his heart. “I don’t know how to express the feeling,” he says. He pauses, smiles and adds, “It is tender. If you ask me, it is the ultimate expression of love.”
Always singing
Though Sachin does not have more than three years of formal training in music, he has always been singing. Music is played constantly around him and on the rare occasion that it is not, it is playing in loops inside his head. He is now formally learning music under the noted carnatic musician T.V. Gopalakrishnan in Chennai. “Carnatic music brings a certain kind of discipline to one’s singing. There are rules to follow and as a singer, it helps one grow,” he says.
Music was a favourite companion for Sachin during college too. He is a graduate from FISAT, Angamali, which has “a lot of talent…. Five of us from the Thattathin Marayathu crew are from FISAT,” he says. He was part of a rock band in college. Sachin plays the guitar, though he maintains he is not a pro. “It is more of a happy indulgence.”
Sachin thanks his musically inclined family for his earliest influences.
His uncle, an ardent A.R. Rahman fan got him hooked to music and Sachin listened to everything from M.S. Baburaj to Vidyasagar, Deepak Dev to blues and jazz. “Anything with soul appeals to me,” he says.
Social media—Facebook and YouTube—have revolutionised the prospects of up and coming singers, he observes. “Right from the time the songs were uploaded, we started receiving comments, both negative and positive. For a newbie, it means a lot to get noticed,” he says.
Testing software and singing are two very different things, but Sachin enjoys them equally. “As of now, I am not exceedingly busy doing either. So I can afford to balance my job and my music,” he says. But an identity as a singer is a long-cherished dream. He has sent demos to a few music directors and is waiting to hear from them. “I want to experiment with all kinds of music. However, it is very important for a singer to understand what is best suited for him or her.”
