MUSIC DIRECTOR DEVI SRI PRASAD INTERVIEW

I did my schooling in Chennai and was raised here and hence I have a special affection for Chennai. My studio and house are in Chennai. Many producers and singers have liked my studio, it is like a lounge. I love being in my studio. My studio staffs are like my brothers. My recording engineer Udhaykumar has won many awards for his work. My assistant engineer, again an Udhay, my rhythm player Kalyan, my keyboardist Krishna Prasad, my manager Mani and in-charge Murugannan are all part of my team who understand my needs and deliver what I require. My younger brother Sagar, a singer himself helps me in sound mixing and he also trains singers. We all have fun and we are like family. We work when needed and also enjoy.

We all know that Singam directed by Hari was a great hit and so are its songs. Hence there are huge expectations about Singam 2. Hari has made the script in an extraordinary fashion. Thanks to Hari sir for giving me the opportunity to score for Singam 2 also and thanks to Studio Green. It is too early to talk about the film as it went on floor just recently. But I am sure the film will be a great hit. We are all trying to make the music a great hit.   Everything is coming out well. Hope the audience likes the album.

Every star has his individual impact. People say that I have the unique credit of having worked with Tamil and Telugu superstars. In Telugu I have worked with Chiranjeevi sir, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Pawan Kalyan, NTR, Bunny, Prabhas and now I am working with Mahesh. In Tamil, I have worked with Vijay, Vikram, Suriya, Dhanush, Kamal sir and now Karthi. In Hindi too I have worked with Salman Khan albeit just for one song which has become a major hit and earned me name and fame there. I am really happy about this and its God’s gift. I wish to thank all these heroes because it is good to know that they have faith in my capability and continue to give me films. How much ever we give good music, when it features in a star’s film, the value increases and the reach is phenomenal. I sincerely thank all the heroes, stars, producers and directors who have given me the opportunity.

I am not a great singer but generally sing all the tracks so that the singers understand the emotions in it. I have even used rough words to fill up the lyrics and invariably directors and lyricists like my words and have retained those hook phrases in some songs. Sometimes the directors retain my voice. That’s how you hear my voice and my singing was never a planned one.  ‘Kanmoodi Thirakkumpodhu’ from Sachein happened that way. Late Jeeva sir had listened to my track number on this and had suggested to producer Thanu and director John that they retain my voice for this number. The song became a huge hit which fetched me good name. I thank Jeeva sir for foreseeing about my voice. I also like Enna Solla Poare from Venghai and thank Hari sir for using my voice.

This is also again like my singing. Whether it is in Telugu or Tamil, when I am tuning in music, just for director to understand, I put in a few words like ‘excuse me Mr Kandasamy’ as a concept. The director and producer liked it and retained. Same way ‘Singam Singam he’s Dorai Singam’ and ‘freea vidu freea vidu mame’ followed this pattern only. But I don’t put my name as I did not intend writing lyrics and it just happened.

This question is easy but answering it is difficult because it would seem that I have not done justice to other songs. A creator will always want to excel his previous work and not under-do from his previous work. When we are working, we all want to give the best to each and every composition. If it is not liked by people, it is a different issue. But we give our best to everything. Everyone will say the same thing, it may appear clichéd but IT is the truth. I like all my songs.

This happened a long while ago before I even entered film industry. I was in school and I was participating in IIT culturals representing my school. I used to compose music even then and was singing a tune I had composed. I was the lone instrument player for my school at that time and hence I never used to sing.   A competitive event was to happen shortly and I was rehearsing with my team. That’s the time a girl was walking towards me, in a white salwar, and it was like Yash Raj films from a distant out of focus to close focus slowly. My friends were teasing me and I was trembling because talking to girls was nerve wrecking experience then; not any more of course! She came to me slowly and asked if I was singing in the competition and I answered in negative. She appeared a bit disappointed by what I said and told that she really liked my singing and if I were singing, she would stay, if not she would leave for her classes. That was the first appreciation I got and I can never ever forget that.

And after the event, a boy came to me and took my autograph saying that I would really make it big in life. Initially I thought someone is playing a prank on me but realized it was not the case. These compliments are so finely etched in my memory which I received at such an early age.

I have grown my hair and going around with a band. Friends feel it is nice and it actually is good when I do shows. It is just for fun and has no reason whatsoever. I like short hair and I will chop it after some time, otherwise my mom gets angry.

In Telugu I have done Damarukum. I am working in Ram Charan’s Evadu, Ravi Teja’s film and doing music for films with Prabhas, Pawan Kalyan, Allu Arjun-Puri Jegannath’s combination. In Tamil re-recording for Alex Pandian is going on and also work in Singam 2 is going on. Besides that talks are on for two big projects.