Dear Rahmaniacs, ONCE AGAIN WISHING EVERYBODY A VERY HAPPY, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2008. Today, Singer Unnikrishnan, was present with Raihana in a Special Show . He had so much of praises for ARR, that I will just start with what he said in the end abt ARR .
I quote "* It was A.R.Rahman, who had made a career for me. I wish him very best for the future, and pray that he comes up with such wonderful songs , like what he had done these many years. he should reach heights in both Domestic as well as International ventures. May God Give him Long Life. ARR is my God father in Film Industry. I am what I am today because of ARR. I have great regard for im. he had given me that initial thrust. As singers, listeners, we are all very lucky to be having a person like ARR amongst us*". *INTRODUCTION* :- Unnikrishnan was the recipient of National Award for his very first song ' Ennavale " from Kaadhalan. He was rewarded this, for his later song " Uyirum Neeye " from Pavithra . The Award was clubbed for both of that. When asked how ?. he replies that it is fully " ARR 's Magic. The Music, Lyrics". At that time, my voice was a new one to the film Industry. That composition according to Unni was ARR's best. *HIS INSPIRATION :-* Singer Jesudas. He used to listen to jesudas Malayalam Songs, when he grewup, and also try singing it in functions. He got introduced to Music, through his Influence, VOice . Later it was SPB, who was his inspiration. *WORKING WITH ARR* :- 1ST Song - Unni was in Office at that time. It was a busy month end. ARR called him up. Unni has been all along a Classical Singing, and had never experience in Film Singing at that time. he never wanted to do playback singing. Prior to this , it was in Rajeev menon's Home that Unni mentioned to ARR that he wanted to come to ARR Studio, for seeing a recording. ARR told him that he was welcome anytime. So, when he was called he was asked to sing " Indirayo Eval Chandirano" ( Pallavi - just 4 lyrics ) . Shankar and Vairamuthu were also present there that time. Some takes were done. Then , the entire lyrics were given, and he was called after 2 days. *Unni says that Working with ARR has always been a pleasure for him. he will give you a lot of freedom, but will not leave you, till he gets whatever he wanted. But encourages you till the end. A singer needs a lot of encouragement and push. ARR never tells any singer that his singing is not good; he only suggests and says that something could be improved here and there. ARR always brings out the originality of the Singer * . *FAMILY REACTION TO UNNI SINGING FILM SONGS :- * HIs Wife was initially upset, because she was into classical singing. She was afraid, that Unni will lose classical touch in the long run. But once, when the song came out, h couldn;t believe himself, if it was him who had sung that song. He says " Unbelievable ambience and Effects in Panchatan". Getting a National Award was like a Thunderbolt for him. It was too much of a surprise for him. he was in London at that time, when his sister-in-law called him up and conveyed that news. *URYIRUM NEEYE SONG ( PAVITHRA )* he says that a mother sentiment are brought very well in that song. ARR's mother used to like that song very much, and used to say that Unni sang very well in that song. It was a Raaga based song, with beuatiful guitar mixing, which was the right mode for that song. The words + tune made that song a great one. *HINDUSTANI* ::- Unni used to listen a lot of Hindustani songs, but didn;t learn it, because he feels that Carnatic itself was highly demanding. He would like to learn it in future. ** *FAVOURITRE CARNATIC RAGAS :-* Thodi, Charukesi . No song in Thodi Raaga for ARR. But in Malayalam devotional songs, he had sung in that raaga. if sang flat, that raaga used to be similar to Sindhu Bhairavi. *BAD EXPERIENCE *He has sung more than 600 songs till date, but he felt bad once ( NOT WITH ARR ), while singing with another MD. The Lryics was not good for the song. of course, he ahd no complaints against that MD even. When he told his wife that later, she started crying. *REFUSED 1 SONG FOR ARR* " *Hello Doctor " song from Kadhal desam. Initially, ARR wanted Unni to sing that song, but Unni felt that it would not suit him, and subsequently, ARR sang that song * ** *GURUS* :- lot of Gurus like Sri. V. L. Seshadri, Savithri, Saraswathi. Raihana tells us here that even ARR used to have lot of Gurus, like each year different one. *KAALAYIL DHINAMUM SONG ( NEW )* That was a totally different song. The mood was different. It had some bit of romance little later in that song. Singing with Sadhana Sargam was fantastic. His favourite has always been HARIHARAN, as Hariharan does something with the turnings each time, he sings. *IRUVAR ( NARUMUGIYE SONG )* It was on his wedding Anniversary, when a party was arranged at his home. ARR called Unni at 9 PM in the night. Unni went immediately. Mani Sir was present. Bombay Jayashree was also present . Unni sang that song in Film style, while Bombay Jayashree was rendering it in Carnatic Style. Mani Sir wanted him to sing in Carnatic Style, and so Unni added some gamakams ( touchings ) . After 2 days, he finished that song. Raihana says that Unni needn;t have disturbed his wedding Anniversary, as the song was anyway finished two days later ( Jokingly ) *Education * Unni was a commerce Student. he was an average student. Maths was his biggest tension always. So took Commerce, Accountancy. He used to go for tuitions. he also did personnel Management and Law. Cricket was his biggest passion , and then came music. *DAILY SCHEDULE :-* Wake Up at 5 : 30 AM. Do Yoga. Practice for 3 Hrs. He says that regular practice is needed for a Concert Singer. Right from Marriage he has been singing . Nov 9 ( Date alone uttered by him ) *FAV SONGS OF ARR* :- So many. 1. Pachai Nirame ( Alaipayudhey ) 2. Enna Sola Pogirai ( Kandukonden Kandukondein ) 3. lagaan ( All Songs ) *CURRENT TREND OF REMIXES, KUTTU PAATUS ETC *It gives a good change, especially for the Youth, as they enjoy all these. But Classical songs shoudl never be forgotten. " Melodies never die " says Unni. he founds Singing in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu not at all difficult. But singing in Kannada was tough, and he took the assistance of his mother tongue letters to assist him in that. ** *NAALAI ULAGAM IRUNDHAL SONG :- * Nice Compostion. very Interesting , Beautiful Tune. ARR just left that song entirely on Unni for him to do whatever he wanted. *TIRAKADHA KAATUKKUL SONG ( EN SWASA KAATRE )* In that there is a Seconds Harmony part, which Unni Says that he hasn;t sung . *ARR has transposed that through his Instruments, His techniques. ( WOW ) . Unni says that ARR does all this small small things wonderfully. On the Spot, ARR can compose. He just demonstrates how ARR does, for which Raihana just laughs.. " he will take his Keyboard, and do something. The end product would be just a wonderful, mesmersing song or tune ". Unni used to sing with ARR and see what he is doing . It seems before he could ask ARR , ARR is out, and would return after some time. * ** -- regards, Vithur A.R.RAHMAN - THE ABODE OF DIVINE MUSIC
