‘Kadavathuoru thoni’ from Abrid Shine’s next, Poomaram , has gone viral in less than a week of its release, garnering more than 10 lakh views. It follows up on the anthem status of the first song from the film to be released online ‘Njaanum njaanumentalum’. Released around six months apart, the songs are a nod to Abrid Shine’s ear for the unusual kind of music.
It was Shine who introduced us to the talented Thampanoor Suresh in Action Hero Biju . The songs changed the lives of those involved in their making, many who otherwise might not have got a chance to showcase their talent.
‘Kadavathoru thoni’...’ was written by Ajeesh Dasan and set to tune by Leela L Girikuttan, both debutants and both who believe that Abrid Shine may just have turned their fortunes. Ajeesh and Girikuttan go a long way back, hanging out at a bookshop on Deshabhimani Road, “where not many books were sold, though it laid the foundation for many a friendship and hosted many a creative activity,” says Ajeesh.
Girikuttan used to hangout there with his guitar in tow, in the company of other creative minds—poets, artists, journalists, writers, film technicians and such. It created a brotherhood borne of similar interests, and passions. Poems were written, impromptu songs composed and the group of like-minded grew.
“We go back around seven years,” Ajeesh says as Girikuttan adds, “Those friends gave us tremendous energy. Come Onam we made Onam songs, Christmas songs...songs for all seasons and reasons.” Their camaraderie is heart-warming.
It was a friend, Rajesh Varma, who introduced the duo to Shine and the rest is ‘viral’!
The song is philosophical, the poetry and the music melding perfectly to tug at the heartstrings. The pair is, understandably, excited for this was an unforeseen break out of the blue. But, for Girikuttan, Ajeesh says, it was just a matter of time that he got noticed. “This chance means a lot to us and we are very grateful to Shine chettan for giving us this break. We have worked very hard for this,” Girikuttan says, who calls Kakkanad home.
He is against how his being visually-challenged is made a big deal. “There is more to my music than that, I have worked very hard, spent a lot of time studying, researching and analysing the process of creating. I did my sound engineering course, I didn’t take any short-cuts. I am not looking for sympathy or handouts either.” The composing bug bit him in Class VII when he heard AR Rahman’s songs for the Tamil film Gentleman . So committed is he that he quit his job to focus his energies on composing music.
Ajeesh is a writer, two of his books have been published. The native of Vaikkom did his graduation in Malayalam from Maharajas College before working in bookshops across the city, all the while indulging in his passion for writing.
The pair hopes to work together in the future too, but Girikuttan tells Ajeesh, “You write for others also.” To which the latter replies in jest, “Alright! I’ll do that but you should work only with me.” The friends burst out laughing.
