If you happen to be travelling in I. Rajendran’s autorickshaw in the city and hear a Tamil song inside, don’t mistake it for the stereo system, the rich baritone belongs to the autorickshaw driver himself.
“My maternal grandfather and uncle used to be a folk singer and act in village theatre,” Mr.Rajendran told The Hindu . “My parents are good singers too, I’m just trying to keep the dying tradition alive somehow,” he added.
The native of Sonaipriyankottai in Ramanathapuram district has another abiding interest besides music: law. After graduating in political science from Kamudi College in the late 1980s, he migrated to Tiruchi and joined (the now defunct) part-time course in law in 2000, and works as a junior lawyer for a city-based advocate thrice a week.
He has also received training in accountancy from the Institute of Cooperative Management in Sattur, after which he worked in a pesticide godown as a salesman-cum-clerk in Tiruverumbur for a brief while.
Mr.Rajendran took to plying an autorickshaw to make ends meet. “I studied law because it is so closely related to political science but making a name in the profession takes time, and my family circumstances don’t allow me that luxury. I earn around Rs. 500-700 a day by driving an autorickshaw,” he said. “The dream of becoming a full-time advocate is always there, and I’m working towards that goal.”
In between, he indulges his passion for folk arts. “I’m preparing to play the role of Lord Murugan in ‘Valli Thirumanam’ in a nearby temple after three months,” he said.
Mr.Rajendran hasn’t been able to learn music formally but often consults an expert in Tiruchi to help him sing in the right pitch. This is when passengers are likely to hear Mr.Rajendran practising as he powers around the city in his three-wheeler.
He belted out a few film songs in his favourite ragas as a sample of his singing prowess and the result is quite impressive. “I am very fond of the Kanada, Hintholam and Kalyani Ragas,” he said as he sang snatches of ‘Isai Kettal Puvi Asainthadum’ (‘Thavapudhalvan,’ 1972), ‘Anantha Thein Kaatru Thalaatuthey’ (‘Manippoor Maamiyaar,’ 1979) and ‘Malare Mounama’ from the 1995 film ‘Karna’.
Passersby slowed down to hear Mr.Rajendran croon. And then, singing over, in a flash, he was back in his autorickshaw, ready for the next passenger.
