Saheed Arafat’s film ‘Thangam’ starring Biju Menon and Vineeth Srinivasan in the lead roles is gaining favor with the audience and the background score and songs of the film are being discussed. Bijibal’s music also sheds light on the film’s journey from family drama to thriller mood. Along with the Shyam Pushkaran-Dileesh Pothan team, Bijibal’s music was also in the line-up of successful films. Bijibal says that ‘Thangam’ is a very satisfying film. Bijibal with Manorama Online on the musical ways of Thangam.
To the gold
I have done songs in Shyam Pushkaran’s scripted films like Mahesh’s Pratikaram, Thondimuthalum Driksakshi. Directed by Dilish Pothan. Saheed Arafat and Shyam Pushkaran told me the story of Tangam three years ago. This is Arafat’s second film. Dileesh, Shyam and Arafat have been working together for a long time. They have a good relationship. The covid spread when preparations were underway for the shooting of Tangam. Thangam was a big movie, a road movie where you have to travel a lot. It has to be done in a big way, it was decided that there is no need to adjust and shoot during the Covid period. Even if it is a small film, they are the people who do it very well in detail. Will not compromise. In the meantime, Joji worked for OTT. After all the restrictions during the covid period, I decided to do Thangam again, so I came as its music director.
Not over, one more song to come
A song has also been made with the theme of the film in the lyrics of Anwar Ali. Gold is a picture that reveals another layer of man beyond what is seen on the outside. There are many things that people can’t tell even to their closest friends. A lot of philosophical work has been done to reveal that mental conflict. It was not included in the film. That was the first song we did. It has a haunting melody. Devi, a devotional song, was originally a haunting tune. People pray in many ways. The song was originally sung in a manner that included all methods. Later it was decided to start with a cheerful song. The background score is haunting in nature. At first it starts cheerfully and then the mood changes as the movie progresses, with some adverse events and tragedies that nature has in store for them as well as the rewards of their deeds, the background music is such that the journey is not so pleasant. They start their journey very happily. But the audience knows something is wrong. The music was composed accordingly. While doing normal background music, do the music according to the scene. But not so here. Although they leave happily, the audience is left with a feeling that something is about to happen.
Why Najeem?
It is not a new style but a song with a traditional appeal. Shyam and Arafat told me that when we go in a taxi or a tourist bus, the driver starts the journey by putting a CD or a cassette and playing a song. So a song with a feeling, a wake-up call is needed. When that was done, what was needed was a not-so-new, youthful voice. Since this is a Carnatic ragabhava song, the singer should be someone who can do that. That’s how Najim came.
Music done with satisfaction
While discussing some movies and playing music, there is inner happiness. It’s only in a few films that the making process is so enjoyable. Gold is one such. Thangam’s music is not done in a regular pattern in thriller films. There is no loud music or any attempt to show that this is a thriller. It created an impression that something unpleasant was going to happen and put the audience in that mood. Shyam and Arafat gave good input. What was said was listened to and accepted very attentively. Gold is the result of good association. The song and the background score are well received.
Songs are not loaded unnecessarily
Apart from the devotional song, there was also another song for Thanga. But there is only room for one song in a film. There is no need to just insert the song. I was thinking of including a song to show the life crises of the character Kannan. But then a lot more will have to be said in the lines. Better yet, leave the audience to their imaginations. So it was decided that only the score is enough. The score made for the song is used in those scenes.
While recreating masterful songs
I don’t like recreations and remixes of old songs. I approach it all with trepidation. When we recreate the songs done by the great acharyas, won’t people ask why we are going to do this if we don’t get the pleasure of the songs they did? I had not made such a question. But when friends request you can’t help it. After doing it, those who entrusted us with the work should not be worried. And the old songs should be given to the new generation with the same flavor. If new technology can be used to give a new flavor to old songs, it is like a tribute to those songs and artists. That’s how I approached the songs in Blue Light. The song was sung by Chitra’s sister because she wanted a legendary voice. There is an authenticity when the song comes in the voice of Chitrachechi. There are five songs in the movie Nilavelicham. Songs from Bhargavi Nilayam have been recreated. It is not known how well the songs will be received by the fans. Anuraga Madhuchashak is getting good responses. He is doing music for some films of new directors. Vadkan, Prav, a Telugu movie and a handful of films are in the works.
Is there satisfaction in hindsight?
The truth is that I never look back. Looking forward and accepting whatever is going on. We feel happy when our fans say that the work we do is good and the songs are always heard.
English Summary: Interview with Bijibal on Thankam movie