From Mohanlal to Manju Warrier, it’s every artiste’s dream to act in late theatre thespian Kavalam Narayana Panikkar’s plays. When both of them had performed at various venues, the man behind the music rendered was a Kavalam disciple — Anil Pazhaveedu.
Anil is honoured to have worked with them for the Sanskrit plays penned by his guru. “I was excited on getting the chance to work with Mohanlal for Karnabharam and Manju for Abhijnana Sakunthalam. It was in 2001 that I worked for Karnabharam, first in New Delhi and later in Mumbai. Work for Abhijana Sakunthalam was done recently, after Kavalam sir’s demise.” The songs were written and composed by Kavalam, who was also an acclaimed poet.
Listening to his mellifluous voice, one can’t believe that Anil was once a polio-struck five-year-old boy who was always ill. But inclined to music since schooldays, he was active in light music, Kathaprasangam competitions at school youth festivals. After pre-degree, he joined the Swathithirunal Music College, Thiruvanathapuram in 1994 and was trained by prominent musician Vaiyyankara Madhusoodhanan.
After graduation, he joined Kavalam’s Sopanam in 1998 and had been there as a leading play back singer. He excelled in folklore music — singing and composing — and rendered voice to theatre artistes during live performances both in India and abroad. He has also lent voice to songs in the movies Bharathan, Nerkkuner, Amen and Ottal.
However, he always wishes to be known as Kavalam’s disciple. “Kavalam sir taught me 150 drama songs at Sopanam, majority of those composed in Chembada, Karika, Kumbaham, Panchari thalas.
During the 18 year stint, he has sung for 200 artistes in both Malayalam and Sanskrit. Anil has sang for plays from the famous Avanavan Kadamba starring Nedumudy Venu and Jagannathan to Mukthadhara, Kalivesham, Ottamulachi, Ottayan, Raja, Tempest, Mayaseetha, Trojan Woman, etc.
“Kavalam sir used to stand beside me during all the performances. He used to beat or pinch if the actors erred on stage! His love and affection will be missed,” Anil recalls.
Now, he conducts music classes under the banner ‘Oruma’ where he teaches folk songs. He also holds workshops on folklore music; a recent one was held at the Mohiniyattom department of the Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit University, Kalady.
He has sang for the performance of Mohiniyattom artistes Kalamandalam Sugandhi, Gopika Varma, Pallavi Krishnan, Methil Devika, Jayaprabha Menon, Vindhuja Menon and Vineetha Nedungadi.
Apart from these, he has composed music for a children’s album Muthassimuthu and has conducted vacation music classes for children in various parts of Kerala.
A native of Alappuzha, he also runs the music school ‘Anila Sruthy’ near Pazhayaveedu Temple at his hometown. He has the wholehearted support of his wife Sunitha and son Sreedhar. Recovering from the illnesses he faced, he has travelled worldwide with Sopanam and has miles to go.
