MUSIC DIRECTOR NIVAS PRASANNA INTERVIEW

I am basically from Thirunelveli and right from the time, I was in my 1^st standard, I decided that my future would be as a music director. I took up classical singing lessons and then after my 5^th standard, I started learning the piano in Thirunelveli. David Thompson was my piano master and by the time I was in my 10^th standard, I completed 7 grades of music exams at the Trinity College of Music, London. Later, I did my visual communication from SRM, Chennai.

I played the keyboard for many artists and bands and was involved in many shows. I also did a non-film album titled ‘Kannamma’ in collaboration with Saindhavi and this was an attempt at presenting Bharathiyar’s songs in a manner which would appeal to the current generation of youngsters.

It was Think Music Santhosh who provided the impetus for me to compose for films when he asked me if I was interested in getting into cinema. He is an unforgettable person in my journey and always encourages us to give our best. Since, he also has a musical background and knows what would work with the audience; my interactions with him have been very fruitful.

Through Santhosh, I got leads to meet producers. I met C.V.Kumar and that’s how I got the offer to do Thegidi.

Recording Shankar Mahadevan for Thegidi was an unforgettable experience. He was obviously busy when I first approached him to sing “Neethane” as the tune was perfect for his voice. I then recorded the tune in my voice and mailed him the sample. Then one morning, I received a reply mail from him expressing his interest to record the song as he was impressed with the tune. I went to Mumbai and recorded his voice. It was a great experience.

I didn’t make any special preparation to sing for Thegidi as the tune was meant to be sung by Shankar Mahadevan Sir. But to honor requests from people who wish to experience my vocal performances, I have plans to release videos of my live shows.

Thegidi is a murder mystery and the movie offers good scope for the BGM score. We have used silence at appropriate places and director Ramesh also suggested that we create the mood for the following scene with the BGM in the preceding scene. He is a task master. We have tried some interesting concepts. We not only considered the actors on screen but also the other atmospherical elements and colors in the frame, when composing the BGM score.

I am very pleased with the visual output. Cameraman Dinesh Krishnan has presented everything so beautifully and actors Janani and Ashok look very good on screen. 

While recording, I would generally like to bring out what I had conceived while composing the tune. But when my musicians are able to add their inputs and better the final output, then I am always open to it. So, there is definitely scope for improvisations.

I would just like to bring out the sound that is in my mind. I don’t mind whether it is live music or processed music. If it sounds good and does justice to the tune that I have in mind, then it doesn’t matter whether it is live music or digital music.

When it comes to my working patterns, I generally don’t work at a stretch. I take a lot of breaks in between my composing and recording sessions. But yes, working at night is preferable as it is peaceful and without much noise or disturbances.

I am not much into clubbing. I have been to such a place just once. I don’t believe that you need to visit such places to know what exactly the youth like or prefer. To impress the youth, it is all about the energy and feeling in a number.

I would like to collaborate with international musicians and see how their services and skills can be used within our film music structure. 

I am in talks for other projects but guess they will be announced once Thegidi releases.

I hope to live up to all the expectations and goodwill that my debut work in Thegidi has generated.

Good luck Nivas