BEHINDWOODS COLUMN

If a seasoned actor does regular singing, then it’s like international cricketer Andrew Flintoff taking up professional boxing. More than rendering extraordinary singing with an ordinary voice for his movies alone, actor Vijay should do it more often for others' movies also. Thyagaraja Bagavathar, PU Chinnapa and TR Mahalingam rose to stardom, because they could voice their own songs. Chiyaan Vikram did it all in Kanthasamy, a rare feat that got repeated after decades in Tamil cinema. 

 

Ilayathalapthy hails from a musical family and his mother Mrs. Shobha Chandreshekar gets regularly featured in musical events. So, the genetic predisposition and Vijay's inclination towards music is a well known fact. Pulling off a song is not an easy feat, but Vijay has been doing it every time when given a chance. From the days that had a disclaimer in the bottom saying, 'Indha padalai paadiyavar ungal Vijay', the actor has come a long way as a singer delivering typical gaana to folk to melodies. 

 

Interesting trivia is, the recent sensation "Let's take a selfie pulla' is the thirtieth song of the mass-masala hero. Adding to it, considering the stats, Vijay has almost sung a song in every second of his film. The very first being Bambai city-sukha rotti for Rasigan, thanks to Deva for bringing the singer in Vijay. All such songs sung by Vijay had funny, exciting lyrics composed in a manner to exploit his dancing talent too. From Ilayaraja to GV Prakash, the Gilli boy gave instant hits.

 

With a slew of hits, Thottabetta, Oh baby, Vaadi vaaadi, Google Google and now the selfie song in Kaththi are his landmark songs that ruled radio play-outs. After 7 long years Harris composed ‘Google Google’ for Vijay to sing. Considering performing arts as a whole, singing is one such art which needs meticulous training and insights. Ulaganayagan, Vikram. Simbu, Dhanush and Vijay being professional singers on one side, even Vishal, Karthi and Suriya have crooned songs on the other side.

 

There are certain boons from technology that makes singing almost easy. Tools like auto-tune, melodyne and pitch correction enhances casual singing to a full-fledged product. But music-directors’ state, Vijay has a natural ability to sing accurately. Singing is all about just hitting the right note and he does it all. More than voicing the lyrics, Vijay adds cute expressions and subtle improvisations that beautifully place the song among listeners.

 

At the start of his singing career, it was just plain singing with not much on the characterization part, but Oh baby baby from Kadhulukku mariyadhai had a soul, Ennoda laia from Badri showed his alter voicing credential, Coca cola and Vaadi vaadi reflected his energetic singing and the rest to come by sealed him an authorized play-back singer. Having the traits of a full-time singer, Vijay should do it often and do it for other films too. Given the talent, why not capitalize on it?

 

When music directors, producers and also the fans realized the selling factor of Vijay’s singing, he's been compelled to sing a song in all of his movies. Post the Google Google wave, the pressure and expectations on Vijay as a singer was hard to meet for the people involved also. That's when Vaangana Vanakungana happened for Thalaiva. Vijay once again proved, he can give back to back hits. Till then, Vijay had done commercial songs. But it was Kandangi Kandangi with Imman for Jilla that showed the actor can do proper melody songs also. The temperament based composition earned acclaim just for Vijay singing a technically sounder song along with somebody like Shreya Goshal.   

 

What next was in everybody? A.R. Murugadoss announced, it would be Anirudh taking care of the music department in Kaththi! That's when eyebrows raised and anticipations got bigger. There was a huge responsibility vested on Anirudh's shoulders. The song has to appeal to the masses, die-hard fans and also regular tuners. The minute 'Take a selfie pulla' released, trade reports assure, we have a blockbuster in hand already. 

 

Vijay has embellished casual singing with absolute professionalism. If the trend of Vijay singing continues, the actor will be a strong contender in Best singer category as well.

 

Abishek

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