KAKINADA: He has composed music for a couple of mythological films, folklore fantasy and a remake of a Telugu classic film – all in one decade in the 1990s. And, he is one among the first generation Telugu musicians who proved their mettle in the television world by composing numerous songs for the daily and weekly serial and won awards. He is Madhavapeddi Suresh, the musician who is entering into the golden jubilee year of his music career in April. Bhairava Dweepam , Ramayanam (NTR Junior’s maiden film), Srikrishnarjuna Vijayam and Maya Bazaar (remake of the Telugu classic done by Dasari Narayana Rao) and Rajendra Prasad-starrer Brundavanam are a few among the 60 films for which Suresh provided tunes.
“I have started my career as a harmonium player on the Sriramanavami day of the year 1967. I was 16 then,” recalls Suresh, who was in Kakinada to participate in a an event organised by the local orchestra troupes to pay tribute to the late P.B. Srinivas, the legendary playback singer of yesteryear.
“Except Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, I worked with all the music directors of the golden era of Telugu cinema. I played accordion for music director T. Chalapathi Rao for the film Parivartana (1974), which was my first film,” says the music director who comes from the family of musicians. A close relative of Madhavapeddi Satyam, who lent his voice for songs like ‘Vivaha Bhojanambu’ ( Maya Bazaar ), Suresh began his career as music director with Jandhyala’s film Hai Hai Nayaka that was released in 1989. “I would have done music direction for over 500 films by now. But, when my career was in peak some of my films did not do well at the box office. That affected my career,” shares Suresh. Suresh, however, switched over to television and provided music for hundreds of songs for daily soaps. Of the four ‘Nandi’ awards he bagged so far, two awards were for his contribution to the television. “I have no regrets about my career, as I have classical films and memorable songs to my credit. As an accordion player, I worked with legendary figures like Naushad, which I feel is rare opportunity,” he says. Suresh is presently composing music for a Hollywood film titled Spices of Liberty , besides participating in reality shows as the judge and conducting film orchestras abroad. “I wish the golden era will be back soon for the film music,” Suresh concludes on an optimistic tone.
