Interview with the awesome musician Rahul Raj,Gallan style
With Chekavar releasing on Oct 8th,Kochigallan.com met up with Rahul Raj, the man behind the music of Chekavar and many more(Chotta Mumbai,Ritu,Time,Malabar Wedding,Maya Bazar,One Way Ticket).Here is the un-plugged online chat ,gallan style;)
Lets start with the schooling days 
.Please tell us about your days in Bhavans Vidya Mandir, Elamakkara?
School days were fun with a bunch of good friends totally inspired by the famous 5 classic…lol.
We were always tryin to find some adventure on our weekends,but really cudnt find any,
which could make way into one of those cult fiction classics.’we did have a name – “Mysterious 8″…hehe.
The school is were i got all supports for getting into music from such an young age.The teachers were all
so damn supportive for my music.I even ended up writing poems in the school mag and gettin a prize for
1500 meters long distance run.The principle had no choice than givin an “all rounder” award when i left school
after 12th…hehehe.All those days were really fun.Some guys had doubt if i cud handle western music as
i was a total carnatic music fanatic those days.And i made a promise to myself that id oneday
be a western music composer.Though not totally one,my music is a lot in that genre.
You graduated as an IT Engineer from CUSAT, Cochin and later on pursued courses such as CCNP AND CCIE in Bangalore ILloka networks.
Then you moved to London and worked as network specialist for Oxbridge Networks.Those things and music are like totally not related.
How did The music composer in you became alive?
Music was always there in my heart…i always wanted to be a composer.But then i had no choice but to pursue into academics for a while.
That was coz i dint have any godfather to raise me up into the music industry.But the London stint helped me to get exposure and to
channelise my thought process and my whole personality in a different way that i never knew existed.
So when i did get a chance to take abreak,i plunged into music coz that time i knew,” if its not now,its never”.
I think at certain crossroads,we need to take bold decisions…else life will move in a different direction.
What is your energy behind creating awesome tracks?(The track “oru raapoo” is this gallan’s all time favorites )
Energy is always present in everyone.Its just that we need to tap into it.When you are motivated to try something new,
that energy is wot comes into play.While composing its always easy to get into usual riffs and patterns that are safe bets.
But only when you decide to hit a different note,that will result in a newer kind of energy.Thats when something from a
composer sounds fresh.Else we get this feeling..”hey that sounds awesome..but dono i feel i’ve heard it somewhere else”
CHEKAVAR AUDIO hit stores and the Gallans out there just loves it .Could you tell us more on the project ?
Chekavar is a very mainstream commercial malayala film directed by Sajeevann and producer by Pentagon creations.
Indrajith is the common man-turning-hero in this film.Trust me,people will love him in this role.
Background score plays a vital role in the proceedings,and i must thank sajeevan for his faith in me.
Such was the motivation that i decided to program the entire score on my own.15 days hefty work and i had a score
which i could totally say with full satisfaction “hey its my score”.The 2 songs are already doin their job in the channels.
Poonchillayil is a soft melody sung by vijay yesudas and chitra.
Poril theyyaram is a classical based hip hop track sung by Indrajith and Ragged skull.For the first time,we are releasing the background scores
with the audio cd and this could be termed as an OST(original soundtrack).
Any plans to migrate to Bollywood/hollywood?
definite plans are there…there are few talks..a good project is happening soon in telugu which i hope
wud be a major break for me as a composer.
Your upcoming projects?
Chekavar – directed by sajeevann
Life Partner – directed by Nouphal
Upcoming project by Sajeevann
Upcoming project by Anil C Menon
Telugu launch project (untitled)
Words for your fans out there?
Just like trees and plants need mother earth,water,sunlight to sustain,grow and branch out,
A good musician needs support,love and encouragement from music lovers.
Keep that showering to all musicians who you think are good…and genuine.
and see what music can do to the society..!!!
PEACE!!!
Do check out the website of Chekavar for more online goodies
You might also like
 |
 |
 |
 |
