Charulatha Mani's Upcoming Concert Fuses Classical Ragas with Popular Film Melodies
Renowned playback singer and classical musician Charulatha Mani has dedicated her career to bridging the traditional world of Carnatic music with the vibrant realm of film soundtracks. She continues this mission with her highly anticipated live concert, 'Anju Vanna Poove: Charulatha Mani Live', scheduled for April 4 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Mylapore.
A Rich Musical Cocktail of Genres and Eras
The concert promises an eclectic and immersive experience, featuring a diverse repertoire that spans centuries and styles. Charulatha Mani will perform compositions from the legendary Saint Thyagaraja, iconic film music directors like MS Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja, and the modern maestro AR Rahman. The setlist will also include some of her own original songs.
"I'll be performing these songs with swara improvisations," she explains. "I always like to journey through music and time with a sense of wonder. I'm looking forward to bringing a cocktail of genres to the stage."
Her vision for the evening is driven by soulful melodies and innovative crossovers. One highlight will be a seamless blend of AR Rahman's contemporary hit 'Deewaana Deewaana' from Tere Ishk Mein, set in the Darbari Kanada raga, with the classical piece 'Govardhana Giridhara'.
The Deep Roots of Classical Music in Cinema
Delving into the historical connection, Charulatha notes that early composers such as Papanasam Sivan, G Ramanathan, and KV Mahadevan built their film scores purely on classical ragas. This tradition was carried forward by later geniuses.
"Idhazhil Kadhai Ezhudhum from Unnal Mudiyum Thambi by Ilaiyaraaja sir was composed purely in a rare raga called Lalitha," she states. "When you examine AR Rahman sir's work, he employed the classical raga Nattakurinji in Kannamoochi Yenada from Kandukondain Kandukondain. He also utilized another rare raga, Saraswathi, in Kanava Mai Kaatra from Ratchagan and in the famous background score of Malargaley Malargaley from Love Birds. These adaptations of ragas into beautiful melodies became massive hits."
Personal Work Exemplifying the Blend
Her own discography reflects this sophisticated fusion. "The raga-based song Kannukkul Pothivalppen from Thirumanam Enum Nikkah, which I sang for composer Ghibran, begins with the classical raga Mukhari and transitions into the semi-classical, beautiful raga Hamir Kalyani," she shares.
She challenges the perception that Carnatic music is inaccessible. "People think it's esoteric, but everyone has sung, enjoyed, and even made social media reels on songs like this one," she adds, highlighting its widespread appeal.
Academic Foundation and Creative Exploration
Charulatha's profound understanding stems from years of dedicated research on ragas, including earning a PhD from the Queensland Conservatorium at Griffith University in Australia. "I'm grateful for what that education and research have done for my cognitive approach to music," she remarks. "Once you engage in serious research, you begin to think outside conventional boundaries and explore new creative possibilities."
Nostalgic Touches and Lullaby Medley
The concert will also feature a special lullaby medley centered around 'Anju Vanna Poove' from the film Thug Life. To evoke a sense of nostalgia, she will include timeless classics by legends Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi.
This event is not merely a performance but a testament to Charulatha Mani's lifelong dedication to making classical music resonate with contemporary audiences through the familiar and beloved medium of film songs.
