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On a musical trip

Photo: Thulasi Kakkat

Triumphant note Madhu Balakrishnan

“I’m sitting out here watching airplanes go by, by, by…’ (Gary Allan: Watching Airplanes)

If there’s one thing that Madhu Balakrishnan never gets tired of, it’s watching airplanes. What began as a childhood interest somehow has grown with him. Growing up in North Parur, a small town off Kochi, it was common to see navy planes on their regular training manoeuvres, and the occasional, bigger domestic aircraft brightening up the ‘caramel coloured sunset sky.’ As a kid, he used to sometimes dream about where the plane could take him, exotic journeys to far off places.

“Call it small town boredom or the thrill of the possible, I’m simply fascinated by these machines. Somehow, I can spot an aircraft even if it is just a speck. My head turns skyward the moment I hear that familiar whirr. I travel a lot these days. Sometimes it is a hassle, getting into the airport early, checking in, security… But the excitement of travelling in the airplane is ample compensation for all this. I often stand in the airport watching the airliners land, take off, taxi, trucks and baggage carts scurrying busily about,” says the singer, who has found a firm footing in all the South Indian language films.

Shuttling among Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and home takes up a lot of Madhu’s time. With increasing singing offers in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, he has decided to shift base to Chennai. “I have bought a house at Saligramam, very close to where Chitrachechi (K. S. Chitra) stays.”

Life will come a full circle when Madhu sets up home in Chennai, the city that gave wings to his dreams. It was while studying music at the Academy of Indian Music and Arts here that Madhu made his debut in films.

“It was T. V. Gopalakrishnan, founder-director of the Academy who recommended my name. It was a duet with Chitra for Vijayakanth’s 125th film, ‘Ulavathurai.’ The song came out well. Earlier, I had recorded for a Christian devotional, and also sung a ‘sloka’ in another album.”

Singing for Ilaiyaraaja was the turning point. Music director V. Dakshinamurthy put him on to the maestro. “Swami (Dakshinamurthy), along with Ilaiyaraaja sir, was a guest at a programme at Kollur in which I was one of the singers. I believe Swami told Ilaiyaraaja sir to listen to me and give me an opportunity to sing.” Madhu was called to Chennai and was asked to sing in the film “Bharathi”. “I would have sung all the songs but sang only two because of prior television commitments.”

Vidyasagar gave Madhu his first big hit with “Kanaa kandenadi thozhi...” (“Parthiban Kanavu”), and there has been no looking back. Madhu is today a sought after singer, known for his rich voice and classical style. In Malayalam, he has to his credit some of the best melodies of the past year and will be singing in more than half-a-dozen films.

Madhu’s live programmes are also much sought after abroad. “I have actually cut down on live shows as it does become strenuous, especially if there are recordings after that. More than travel, I dread the food. It is okay in the Gulf, but in places such as Italy I had a real problem. I’m a fussy non-vegetarian. I prefer the ‘naadan’ kind of food. I cannot make myself eat pizzas and that kind of stuff. The few days I was in Italy I survived on bread.”

Despite his hectic schedule, Madhu finds ways to relax. “Listening to music, of course, is one sure way to beat stress. I’m fine with any kind of music, any singer. Playing or watching cricket is another way. I used to be part of the school and college team. With Sreesanth in the family, there is always cricket in the air. I also love to shop with my family. I love buying electronic items and mobile phones. You must really give it to women when it comes to shopping. Their patience is simply amazing,” Madhu says with a laugh even as he gets ready to leave for a recording.

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