Every song is an emotional journey: Anirudh Ravichander

Anirudh Ravichander’s break into the top rung of music directors isn’t what one would call gradual. His was an explosion into mainstream Tamil film music with the mammoth "Why This Kolaveri Di"? (WTKD) and the international Internet sensation it became. At 21, not many are put in a situation to deal with the bouquets, the video having amassed 75 million views on YouTube, and the brickbats that came along with it — Javed Akhtar’s criticism of the song being one.

With all things made popular by the Internet, there was a sense of ephemerality that people associated with Anirudh as well, thinking that he too would just be a one-hit wonder. Dealing with this pressure and not letting it affect one’s quality of work is what separates the men from the boys and Anirudh has managed to do this with maturity and conviction seen rarely for someone his age.

In a DC exclusive he says, “It was a lot to handle and it did make things very difficult. There was a lot of pressure and people began to expect all my songs to go viral with the same kind of popularity. But I realised early on that what happened with WTKD was a once in a lifetime instance. It did set the bar really high though and it continues to inspire me to work very hard to do one better.”

This in turn, has changed the process of composing too for him. At a time when most music albums are released with just one or two hit songs, Anirudh asserts that the effort he puts into each of the six or seven songs in an album remains the same. Dismissing the trend of one hit per album he says, “Songs for me are very personal. Of course they are a part of the director’s vision which is meant to fit into the film’s narrative but the creative process of each song arise from my moods, emotions and experiences. So there isn’t a question of doing something haphazard or half-baked. Every song becomes an emotional journey for me and only then will the soul of the song remain honest.”

In the pipeline

With 2013 having given him three hit albums with the release of 'Ethir Neechal', 'Vanakkam Chennai' and a single track in 'David', he says the stage is set for an encore performance in 2014 too with a commendable list of films getting ready.

He has three films lined up for release next year, which includes Maan Karate starring Sivakarthikeyan, Velaiyilla Pattathari with Danush and an untitled project starring Vijay directed by A.R Murugadoss. When asked about how he feels about repeating his combination with buddies Dhanush and Sivakarthikeyan for a second time, he says, “I’m quite glad that I was able to be a part of a combination of an actor-music director duo so early on in my career. These combinations are beneficial for both the actor and the musician, but that doesn’t mean my efforts vary for other actors apart from these two. The process is the same and I personally regard Vanakkam Chennai as my favourite. But I must admit that it feels great to imagine a scene with Dhanush or Sivakarthikeyan and to think that I will be composing the music for their actions on screen. It gives me a burst of positive energy which somehow manifests in the music.”

Going Single

Anirudh is also excited about the  the launch of his first single. Talking about this he says, “I will be collaborating with Honey Singh again for a tri-lingual track titled You can !@#$ with me but aint nobody !@#$%^  with my music and it will be released online by end of January. We’ll be shooting the music video in Los Angeles. I thought of doing a single because I believe in supporting independent music and I’m sure it will help more independent musicians come forward.”

Anirudh will also be seen collaborating with many artists that even include other music directors. He says, “I love collaborations as every combination provides a unique opportunity to create something new. So when I brought Hip Hop Tamizha and Hard Kaur together for a song, I too was just as excited as the audience to hear something different and fun. I worked with Vishal Dadlani in Oh Penne in Vanakkam Chennai and the audience will soon be listening to a song sung by music director Deva. Also, another song I’m extremely excited about is one which will be sung by S. Janaki ma’am. She will be singing for a film after many years so I feel very blessed to have gotten the opportunity to work with her.”

How life has changed

It’s been a little over two years since 'Why This Kolaveri Di'? released and one wonders how life has changed for this young music director who says he would have done an M.B.A if his music hadn’t worked. “From my childhood I never wanted to do anything else but create music. From my first piano to setting up my studio, all I ever wanted was to give it all my time. But once I became a music director, I did begin to work all around the clock which came at the cost of a healthy routine. I now start working by late evening unitl early morning. My routine has gone for a toss but I hope I’ll get back to a healthier lifestyle,” Anirudh says.

For Anirudh, music is a full-time process. He says, “Music is an emotional process and so inspiration for a tune can strike at any point. Most of my tunes are musical forms of a particular experience which made me feel very strongly about something. So, even while I travel or when I’m sitting on the beach, I just quickly record the tune on my phone and then go to the studio to capitalise on that single feeling. For some, music is a spiritual experience but for me it’s a very emotional one. That’s why I take so long for each album.”

What sets him apart

One little-known fact about Anirudh is how he remains a stickler for certain order which he calls his OCDs. These quirks just add to the mystery behind the wonder kid and they include things which sound normal to a bit excessive. “I’ve got quite a few of these OCDs and I feel very uncomfortable when these little things are disturbed. For instance, I can only listen to music when the volume is set to an even number. Even when I’m burning a CD with a new composition, I make sure the time adds to the number seven which I believe is my lucky number. I also have a studio chair and a mouse pad which I can’t function without,” he points out.

New Year Resolutions

As we look forward to 2014, Anirudh too has set a few resolutions  for the new year and these too sound different. “I’m quite careless and I often misplace my things. I’m very sensitive so I tend to feel  depressed very easily with the slightest issue disturbing me. I’m unnecessarily patient and I find myself not getting angry or reacting even when should or when I’m getting shouted at. I also find it very difficult to say no to people. These are  things I want to be changing about myself,” he says in conclusion.

Guess Who’s Our Secret Santa

Ringing in the festive spirit with us, is Santa Claus Anirudh Ravichander. Quite an unlikely candidate for a Santa, we agree, but a ball of fun, nonetheless. While he might not have a belly to shake like Father Christmas, he was every bit the jolly good fellow, with his spirited humour which had everyone going Ho Ho Ho!?At the spacious lobby of The Westin Velachery, he gamely posed for our lensman, in front of the giant Christmas tree and the specially constructed gingerbread house. Anirudh joins us in wishing all our readers a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.