Singer Pandalam Balan has said that he has omitted the song he sang from the big-budget film Padmath Santhali, directed by Vinayan and starring Siju Wilson. Pandalam Balan revealed that Vinayan removed the song he had sung and recorded two years ago in M. Jayachandran’s music without saying a word to him. Balan explained the unexpected setback in his music career through a long social media post. Balan ends the note with a scathing criticism of Vinayan, who expressed strong opposition to him.
Full version of Pandalam Balan’s social media post:
Director Vinayan removed my song from the movie 19th Century. I have been waiting for two years. Disappointment again. It is highly questionable that an artist like me, born and brought up in a backward class, who has been in the music scene for 40 years, has been left out of this film which tells the story of Chaturvarnyam and Nangeli, which tells the story of slavery. The message of this movie is for the upliftment of artists and common people like me and to give justice to them. But there is no doubt that the injustice done to me has hurt many people who love me and love my songs. Some cried. Director Vinayan should have given a statement as to why he was removed. It was an explanation to the people.
I am an artiste who has been in the music industry for 40 years. It’s not like calling a new singer and saying no song. I have my own address, a place I have sung in Kerala. The director ordered only grass price for it. This is totally irresponsible and should be questioned by society. Many people tell me that they will give me a chance. I don’t ask anyone for opportunities. It was Vinayan sir who first called me to sing in this film. This is the song that I sang almost two years ago during the horror of Corona. Music director Jayachandran sang this song with me from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm and it was most beautiful and I sang it to the best of my ability. It was a song with a very wide range. Four days after that Vinayan sir called me. I said this publicly in a single word saying that the boy will sing this song to anyone. In all the interviews, song festivals and other cultural events held during the last two years, I have spoken about my singing in this film in public. What peace should I say to them all? The director could not call me directly on the phone. I see that as the biggest mistake. Vinayan sir is considered by the public to be a director with a big backbone. But I don’t think so. If you decide to give someone a chance, you have to give it. I believe that a man is one who comes together in word and deed. This is an absolutely irresponsible act.
My family and I were very hurt. No venture has ever been successful by shedding one’s tears, especially as I am an artist who lives only by believing in the truth. There have been many incidents that have oppressed me from many angles. I overcame all that and came forward only because of my ability. There are lakhs of farm workers who love me. There are many poor people and there are many expatriates who love me and my songs. What kind of peace will I say to all of them Vinayan sir. Sir my eyes are filled with every happiness of this picture. Sir is a great person. But there is one thing sir in this field, there is Pandalam balan before coming in cinema field. The earth is round. All success is temporary. I live with high hopes. I am not someone who believes that singing in a film is all it takes. It is with hope that my life and me move forward. Sir, in the voice message sent to me, it has been said that the decision was not taken now but a decision was taken a few days ago. If so why didn’t you let me know earlier. I get a message like this on the day of the audio release. I called and sir did not pick up the phone. After some time sir left me a voice message. Isn’t it the stuff of the movie.. I turned on the speaker phone in front of my wife and my daughter-in-law and we heard the voice message of sir together. I am truly a broken moment. My wife and children who calmed me down in many crises in my life and their grief is known only to those who experience it. All the best sir. May there be opportunities to do more films, don’t call me to sing anything in that film. I am not one to ask for opportunities. I continue my life with the hope that I too have a good time. What message does the film give to our society by excluding a dalit singer like me in the 19th century which tells the story of slavery, casteism and casteism? Sir you should answer the people correctly.. I am really hesitant to call you sir now…
With a lot of pain
Pandalam boy