When nostalgia blooms in music

Neelakurunji, a flower that blooms on the hills of Munnar, will now blossom musically. K.R.P. Vallikunnam, a petroleum engineer from Oman, has drawn inspiration from the memories of his homeland to create ‘Neelakurinji Pookkumbol’ — a collection of  light music songs. “Wherever I go, the intimacy I get from my native land remains unique. I am pretty affectionate towards it. This inspires my writings and music,” says Vallikunnam, whose CD was launched by noted filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan recently at VJT Hall, Thiruvananthapuram.

The songs, based on nostalgia and love, are composed in 10 raagas. Venmani Prakash is the music director of the album, while renowned singers Jayachandran, Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, and other upcoming talents from ‘Idea Star Singer’ have lent their mesmerising voice to the songs.

“Today’s poetry lacks emotional affection. Riots and religious themes have overtaken peace, silence, and unity. The golden period of Vayalar, ONV, and P. Bhaskaran has been replaced with these new generation prose poems that are irrelevant,” says Vallikunnam, who is also the author of Maanjupoya Mananangal and Ormayile Dalamarmmarangal.

Vallikunnam’s collection of memoirs — Manassil Koriya Mashipadukal — was also released at the same function. In the book, the author shares his experiences with V.S. Achuthanandan, Thoppil Basi, P.T. Usha and other incidents that encouraged him to learn Sanskrit and also about his experiences of meeting dignitaries from different walks of life.