In her father's footsteps

It is a tall order to emulate a father who was a legend in his time and gave Malayalam cinema some immortal songs.

While the man behind the magic, Johnson Master, has exited the world stage but his daughter Shan Johnson has taken her first step in composing.

Shan has turned music composer with the film 'His Name is John' and has taken forward her father's work in this film.

Talking about her musical heritage Shan says, “I was not really looking at composing songs but my friend introduced me to director John. I did some sample work which they liked and I decided to start off my innings as a composer."

Incidentally, there is an interesting tale to her first song. She reveals, “My father composed a pallavi for which ONV Kurup had written the lyrics. We decided to complete that song. The film has five songs and ONV uncle wrote the lyrics for the songs each very different from the other."

The first song recorded yesterday "Aalollam Thallolam..." was sung by K.S.Chitra and YouTube sensation Chandralekha, is of a folk genre.

Talking about her decision to get Chandralekha to sing, Shan says, “I happened to hear about Chandralekha and I am sure that if my father was here, he would have encouraged her talent. Chitra chechi was approached first and she immediately agreed. ONV uncle is like a father figure to me and the entire composing went off like a dream."

Ever since Rajahamsame took the virtual world by storm, Chandralekha has been flitting from one studio to another. She mentions that she got a call from Shan a month ago asking her to sing a song that Johnson Master initially composed.

Talking about the opportunity to sing with Chitra, a dream she had long cherished, Chandralekha gushes, “I had met Chitra chechi at a TV show earlier, so a huge comfort level was there. Since I had spoken to chechi, there was not much nervousness. It is a good melody and a great feeling, sharing a song with chechi."

Shan applauds Chandralekha's efforts saying that her grasping of the song was quick and quips, “I got the best of two talented singers."

As for Shan, she is delighted with the compliment Chitra paid her. “Chitra chechi said that she sees a great future for me and that I have my father's style!"