Vijay Yesudas
The award-winning playback singer who sings in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi, is married to Darshana.
Jab we met
We met in 2002 on a Valentine’s Day when I was in Dubai for a concert. I was bowled over by her looks at first. Then we got to know each other and that is when we fell in love. I don’t know about love at first sight because it is when you know a person better that you get attracted towards that person and that takes time. We got married in January 2007.
The right notes
She is a fantastic support and is always there for me. It is wonderful to have someone who will tell you like it is. There are no pretensions or flattery. So if Darshana feels that I missed a note or did not get it right during a stage programme, she would be the first person to tell me. She has learnt music but is more of a dancer and now she is very busy with her designer boutique while our daughter, Ameya, has just begun school.
Our song
There are many. But since I have to choose here is it: In Tamil, it would be ‘Netru Illada Maatram’, in Hindi ‘Pehla Nasha’ and in Malayalam ‘Parayathe Ariyathe’.
Sudeep Kumar
The singer, a State-award winner, is married to Sophia, a diploma holder in dance from Kalamandalam.
Jab we met
Nothing could have been more dramatic than our first meeting. Sophia has acted in a couple of movies and the shooting of one was going on at an ‘illam’ in Ambalappuzha. I happened to be there since the producer was my friend. Sophia played the hero’s sister. When I first saw her, they were shooting a ‘pennukaanal’ scene. There she was coming out with a tray with tea cups. That was quite a coincidence! I liked her, but it was not love at first sight, though.
The right notes
But we were destined to meet again, when we became part of a mega show in the United States. There were some 10 shows altogether, during which we became thick friends and eventually our families also became close. But when we both confessed our love for each other, we were worried whether our parents would oppose it citing religious differences. But things were quite smooth and we got married in 2002.
Our song ‘Arikil Nee Undayirunangil’ is our favourite
Biju Narayanan
The singer is married to Sreelatha, a law graduate
Jab we met
Our love blossomed on the campus of Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam. We met while doing pre-Degree and went on to complete our graduation and post graduation from there. In between, Sreelatha graduated in law from Law Academy , Thiruvananthapuram.
The right notes
So it was a long period of courtship. It was not just music which brought us together. From the beginning, I felt she was the one for me and Maharaja’s campus had all the perfect ingredients and ambience to develop our relationship. We got married in 1998 with the blessings of our families.
Our song
We both love the song ‘Chandrakiranathin chandanamunnum…’ from Mizhineerpoovukal
Bijibal
The prolific composer is married to Santhi, a Mohiniyattam artiste who is a singer as well.
Jab we met
We met at a youth festival. I was part of Manaveeyam, a cultural initiative of the government, which organised the fete and had to move around taking care of various activities. We hardly talked then. But, as fate would have it, I ended up at her home to teach her brother violin. Meeting her was a pleasant surprise.
The right notes
We got to know each other more. Remember I had no job then, but was only an amateur musician. But everything fell in place and we finally tied the knot in 2002. She is a very talented singer as well, and is part of my band.
Our song
‘Sharadindu malardeepa…’ from Ulkkadal is very close to our heart. Interestingly, we’ve been planning to record a duet song, just for the two of us. But it hasn’t materialised yet and Shanti keeps reminding me that.
Balabhaskar
The well-known violinist and musician is married to Lakshmi, a homemaker
Jab we met
We were college-sweethearts at University College; she was pursuing her masters in Hindi and while I was studying for my masters in Sanskrit. What attracted me to her first was her name. Lakshmi is still one of my favourite names. At the time, I was part of the boy band Confusion and earned quite a number of fans in the process. Lakshmi was never my fan.
The right notes
I fell in love with Lakshmi because she saw me as a person rather than a musician. I actually proposed on the fourth day we met. Today, she is my rock, one of my best critics.
Our song
The song ‘Arunee Enn Aromale’ is my ode to her. Incidentally, Lakshmi’s also the muse of the song ‘En nenjile’ from the album ‘Nee Ariyan’ – which I composed when we were on a break!
Binni Krishnakumar
The classical vocalist and playback singer is married to Carnatic singer and composer Trivandrum Krishnakumar
Jab we met
We got to know each other first at Kerala University’s youth fetes. Invariably, we would both win first prize in classical music competitions (male and female sections) and we’d acknowledge each other – very arrogantly – from afar. Then one day, after watching a music programme of mine on television, Krishnan told a mutual friend that he liked my singing.
The right notes
Krishnan would call home on the pretext of calling my brother, Manojkumar, a violinist and his friend, and as fate would have it I would always pick up the phone. We’d then discuss the day’s music lessons and sing classical songs to each other. Our ragams became anuragam (love)!
Our song
I love the way he sings raga Vijayasaraswathi, especially the kirtana ‘Sharanam Sree Vijayasaraswathi Maye’. Krishnan, meanwhile, like my Ashtapadis.
Ranjini Jose
The singer, actor and television hostess is married to Ram Nair, an engineering graduate and DJ .
Jab we met
Ram and I share a common circle of friends. We met for the first time at a friend’s party. He liked me and told me so. He says he fell for my eyes. We started talking and gradually fell in love. He is a gentleman, a quality I admire most about him.
The right notes
Both of us like music and share similar interests. However, while he is reserved, I am a total chatterbox. We jam together and hope to work on a couple of music projects together.
Our song
Both of us like Richard Marx’s ‘Right Here Waiting’. The song was played at our beach wedding.
