Writing has been a part and parcel of Shyla Thomas’ life since her teen days. She used to write poems, some of them were published in college magazines. A person who admired poets, it was a hobby for her to listen to poems that came in cassettes. Although she used to write frequently, she was not quite confident to show them to a larger audience. They remained in her personal notebook, which she calls the ‘secret book’ until her friend actor Surabhi Lakshmi found them. She compiled them into an album, which is going viral on social media platforms.
“I never thought of making an album or publishing my writings,” says Shyla, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, who currently lives in Dubai. “Surabhi got her music friends Sangeeth (reality show winner) and Ramesh Krishnan. We were very happy with the tunes they composed. We completed seven songs within a few months. All of them were well-received. They are available on YouTube,” she adds.
Popular singers like Sujatha, Venugopal, Gayatri Asokan, Sachin Warrier, Alka Ajith, Anakha Sadan and Sudheep Kumar have crooned the songs penned by Shyla. Sujatha’s song (Maayumee Thaazhvarayoram) got released first. “The response was overwhelming, which actually gave us the confidence to release the rest of the songs.” Ivideyonnee Marathanalil, Kilikal Padum Vare, Oru Kunju Swapnam, Melle Nee, Innitha and Kuliruvithachoru Mazhayil are the other songs in the album. Shyla had a great time working with the singers. “It was an amazing journey for all of us. We started our recording in Chennai and then travelled to various places in Kerala depending on the preferences of respective singers,” says Shyla. “As a music reality show winner, Sangeeth was already known to these singers and they were very happy to sing under his direction. I am so glad about the praises for the lyrics from all these singers — it boosted my confidence.”
What makes Shyla’s lyrics different is its traditional nature. “When we went to Chennai for the recording, Sujatha chechi appreciated me saying that the lyrics didn’t look like a newcomer’s and that she really enjoyed singing the song. She had learnt most of the lines by-heart,” says Shyla. At a time when fast numbers are in vogue, why did Shyla choose melody? “Melodies are still the favourite of music lovers. For example, if you ask somebody to sing, a song that usually comes to their mind would be a popular melody, mostly from the 80s or the 90s. Very few melodies are produced these days but those come out are remembered for long whereas fast numbers are enjoyed for a short span. Fast numbers can be good at get-togethers or functions where people just want to chill,” says Shyla.
“Suppose you want to relax or enjoy your solitude, away from your busy life, what would you choose? It would surely be a melody or an instrumental music piece and not a fast track,” explains Shyla, who has got some film offers after the release of her album. “It’s too early to disclose details as they are under production. Hopefully, it will happen in the coming months. Also, I have written a song, which is yet to be released. The song is directed by Darsan Raman, who is known for his song, Swapnangale Veenurangoo. I am not very aggressive on getting opportunities. I am happy or rather excited to see people contacting me after listening to my songs.”
Not only a lyricist, Shyla is an actor too. She is grateful to her parents for that. “My father used to write dramas and my mother and sister would act in them along with other local artistes during the feasts in our church. I loved watching them acting. Gradually, I felt that I was being drawn to it and started participating in kadhaprasangam, mono-act, dance and drama during my school and college times,” she recalls.
Facing the crowd was not new to Shyla. She was the state president of All Kerala Balajana Sakhyam, Asia’s largest children’s organisation. She could meet and share stage with legends like Thakazhi and Basheer. Among her short films, one was an adaptation of Madhavikutty’s story Neermaathalathinte Pookkal, directed by Monu. “I was so excited to spend a few hours with my all-time favourite writer when I met her after the preview of the movie. I still remember the smile I had when she praised me for having beautiful eyes,” she smiles. Then as a journalist, she was excited to interview Yesudas and E.M.S. Shyla’s another popular short film was You and Me directed by Dr V. C. Harris. Then she acted in a serial by K.K. Rajeev, in two movies and in a few commercials.
Shyla is married to Tomy, a computer engineer, and is settled in Dubai with her two children Meera and Rahul. She reached Dubai in 1997 and worked there for some time. In 2011, she returned to Kerala to take care of their business and went back again. And, she gives credits to both places for moulding her. “It is a harmonious blend of experiences in Kerala and Dubai that refined me,” concludes Shyla who takes life as it comes.
