The first Tamil Pop album CHENNAI GIRL
written and sung by a South Indian LADY has been released by Magnasound
recently all over the world. The lady is none other than the popular playback
singer ANOORADA SRIRAM from Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.The Music has been scored
by Anoorada and her musician husband Sriram Parasuram.
The Nineties has witnessed the prime of pop music in the country. Tuned to
contemporary tastes, pop music has succeeded in reaching out to audiences as
much as film music, thanks to the media and sophisticated production quality.
Even as big names like Asha Bhonsle, Alisha Chenai, Daler Mehendi et al take
the Hindi pop scene by storm, a slew of fledgling talents have emerged on the
Tamil front with fresh voices and refreshing ideas.
Against this backdrop, the entry of Anoorada Sriram makes Tamil pop worthy of
serious attention. An accomplished Carnatic, Hindustani and Western vocalist
and film playback singer, Anoorada's transition from the chaste classical
realm to the light and breezy world of pop was prompted by her unsatiable
desire to use her voice in various musical cultures and explore a palette of
expressive and virtuosic singing styles.
Rightly so. Her maiden pop album ``Chennai Girl'' released by Magnasound
recently, showcases her versatility and instinctive command of expressive
phrasings. The album comprising nine songs, composed and written by her in
collaboration with her husband Sriram, is a fine manipulation of motif, metre
and syntax. Simultaneously working on the lyrics and the rhythms, the inventive
music couple have come out with an unusual repertoire.
Anoorada starts off with a burst of ebullience in ``Modern Ponnu,'' marked by
racy rhythms and a catchy lyric about a modern girl who strictly adheres to
traditional values. ``Kaadal Kadaal'' is a standout in the album for it has
the elaborate trappings of a ballad in which the singer's voice dips, rolls
and soars with gay abandon. Laced with tenderness, the number is particularly
striking for its voice reach and breath control. Hypnotic piano accompaniment
enhances its appeal. High-spirited ``Uyirin Uyir'' and ``Ga Ga Ma Ma'' display
her rhythmic agility and the insistent beats and fast pace make them sure-fire
hits on the dance floors. `Kanavu Nenavagum' has a dreamy, sensual quality,
while `Onnu Onnu,' a sprightly duet with Gopal Rao has a folk flavour.
``Mann Vasanai,'' a rain song is melodic with an ethereal feel. Anoorada's
``cutting edge'' style of singing and a profound Western influence are also
evident in other numbers. Unlike most pop albums that have a stifling uniformity in music and content, ``Chennai Girl'' offers variety.
According to Anoorada, ``the responsibility of a Pop artiste is high as Pop music projects a personality. It is not just the voice that is taken into consideration.'' Further, ``Tamil Pop is not widely recognised. It is difficult to promote an album. So we had to go for the best names in the field for the video. Ken Ghosh had directed the video for track ``Modern Ponnu,'' the costumes were designed by cine-fame Ashley and the choreography was done by Bosco.''
Airing her mettle in a range of music styles, Anoorada, who has given several
hits as a film playback singer has proved that ``Chennai Girl'' is a far cry
from the empty display of costumed vocalism so pronounced in pop albums.
ANOORADA SRIRAM
Music Profile
Anoorada Sriram is a talented and highly accomplished singer very well versed in singing many styles and idioms of music. She has been trained by many esteemed Gurus such as Padmasri Tanjavur Sri S.Kalyanaraman, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Smt. T.Brinda and Dr. T.Viswanathan in Carnatic Classical music and has had intensive training under Pandit Manikbua Thakurdas for Hindustani Classical Music. She has also learnt Western classical opera singing from Prof. Shirley Meier, a teacher of great repute from New York, U.S.A.
Born in July 1970, Anoorada did her B.A. and M.A. in music from Madras University and secured the University Gold Medal for both these degrees. She was given a fellowship to do her Masters in World Music from Wesleyan University, Connecticut, U.S.A., which she completed in 1994. While at Wesleyan, apart from learning and performing Western Opera and Jazz, Anoorada has also performed in many Indonesian and West African music concerts. All of which make her a truly and uniquely accomplished "World Musician". Her M.A. thesis entitled "Ilaiyaraja: Composer as Phenomenon in Tamil Film Culture" has been widely acclaimed and is being published in the Garland World Music Encyclopaedia.
Anoorada has been honoured with various scholarships and awards, notable among them The President of India Gold Medal in 1987 for Carnatic and Light Classical Music, the Central Government Senior Fellowship in 1989, and the Vina Dhanammal Scholarship from SAMPRADAYA, Madras in 1991. She has performed extensively all over India and abroad since the age of 12 and has received rave reviews for her performances.
Inspired by her mother, Smt. Renuka, a well-known Playback singer in Tamil and Malayalam films of the 1960's, Anoorada Sriram is also on the path to becoming a top-ranked Playback singer. She has been singing regularly for all the top music directors in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Malayalam films for the past 1-1/2 years. Some of her recent hits include Nalam nalam ariyaval (film: Kadal Kottai), Dilruba Dilruba (film: Priyam), Anbendra Mazhaiyile (film: Minsaara Kanavu), Taj Mahale (film: Periya Tambi), Mumbai Kaatre (film: Kaadali), Odattora Sevappa (film: Panjalangurichi), "Acham Acham Illai" (film: Indira), "Phenk Hawa" (film:Ram Jaane [Hindi] - music: Anu Malik), and "Meenamma" (Film: Aasai - music: Deva). Anoorada Sriram was awarded the Best Female Playback singer Award for her song in the film "Aasai" by the Tamilnadu State Cinema Kalai Manram, in January 1996. She also received the coveted Dr. J.Jayalalitha Cine Award and the Ajanta Award
for best female playback singer of 1996. Her song Nalam Nalam ariyaval was also nominated for the National Award - female playback singer for 1996. Anoorada was also awarded a Platinum Disc for Record sales of her song in the Hindi film "Ram Jaane". Her latest hits include songs from the films Janakiraman, A-ha, Kadal Rojave, Porrkalam, Kabhi na Kabhi (Hindi) and Zor (Hindi).
Anoorada Sriram's Tamil Pop Album titled "Chennai Girl", the first of its kind in the south, released by Magnasound in December 1997 has been a super hit having sold more than 2 lakh cassettes in the first two months of it s release. The album is unique since Anoorada has herself composed the music and penned the lyrics.
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IN CONVERSATION with ANOORADA SRIRAM .....
Coming from a very strong Indian Classical Music background, what prompted you to get into film and popular music ?
While at Wesleyan University, U.S.A, as a Masters student in World Music, I had the unique opportunity to interact with musicians and musical idioms from various parts of the world. There were so many fascinating things about these musics which captured my imagination... I wanted to learn and master them and make them part of my musicianship, especially the different voice qualities and techniques of using the voice in various musical cultures. The assimilation of these opened up new avenues for me to explore in terms of a wide palette of expressive and virtuosic singing styles and timbres. My M.A. thesis which was based on Tamil film music gave me an opportunity to relate deeply my own musicianship to singing styles, compositional techniques, etc.. prevalent in Popular and Film Music in India. I was always passionate about singing, but it was during this time that I decided that I wanted to make my mark in the Indian Popular and film idiom. It was with this idea that on my return to India in September 1994, I approached Mr. A.R.Rahman and gave him a demo tape. He gave me my first break in the film "Indira" with the song "Acham Acham Illai". Since then I have been singing for all the top Tamil Music Directors such as Rahman, Deva, Illaiyaraja, Vidyasagar, Sirpi, Adityan, etc. and Telugu Music Directors such as Keeravani, Ramani Bharadwaj, and Raj Koti. Anu Malik introduced me to the Hindi film music world with the song "Phenk Hawa Mein" in the film "Ram Jaane".
Which other films have you sung for ?
Aasai ("Meenamma") under Deva's music direction was my earliest major hit . I was given the State award for best female Playback singer for this song. Two of the songs which I sung for the Telugu film "Sogasu Jooda Tarama" under the music direction of Ramani Bharadwaj have also been major hits. Vaanmathi, Pasumpon, Vaigarai Pookkal, Vishnu, Kalloori Vasal, Thayagam, Thota Chinungi, Villadhi Villan are some of the earlier film releases which feature songs sung by me. More recently, I have also sung songs in films such as Minsaara Kanavu, Kadal Kottai, Once More, Kadali, Vallal, Pagaivan, Gopala Gopala, Periya Tambi, Panchalangurichi, Kalki, Vani Mahal, Netaji, Priyam, A-ha, etc., Shikhar (Hindi), Sapnay (Hindi), Auzaar (Hindi), Kabhi na Kabhi (Hindi), Ladies Doctor (Telugu), Pitladora (Telugu), Mrugam (Telugu) and Merupu (Telugu). These songs are quite varied in the sense that they showcase my versatility as a singer; there are soft melodic songs, fast and brisk dance numbers, raunchy and sensuous songs, folk type songs, etc..
What kinds of music do you listen to ? Who are your favorite singers ?
I listen to almost everything under the sun. Whether it be Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali or Asha Bhonsle, Richard Marx, Michael Jackson or Boys II men, Luciano Pavarotti or Cecilia Bartoli (Opera), Amir Khan or Kumar Gandharva, Barbara Streisand or Frank Sinatra, they are all such wonderful artistes who have influenced me and continue to inspire me greatly. With regard to voice timbres and versatility of vocalised modulations, Mariah Carey is a model figure for me. Even though she is a singer in the Western Popular idiom, the kinds of things she is able to do with her voice are truly amazing. Like I said earlier many folk traditions from different parts of the world have also greatly influenced my musicianship, and I continue to listen to and develop my musical sensibilities by constantly listening to these musics.
The wide music exposure that you have had and the versatile singer that you are, where do you see yourself, what do you see your position as in the Indian Popular music field ?
Singing in films is definitely going to be a major portion of my music career. Since I am also a very expressive person, I see myself as a significant pop artiste, such as Michael Jackson or Mariah Carey, in the sense of having a distinct personality and presence as a musician. I am doing a couple of such pop albums with Magnasound and hopefully these projects will establish me as a force to reckon with in the growing Indian popular music industry. There have also been a couple of offers for Music Direction and I would definitely like to take it up in the near future.
What else do you like to do ... what are your other interests besides singing ?
Well... I like to see places. I love amusement parks, especially rollercoaster rides and water slides. I like to decorate my home.... cook .... of course I like Indian cooking, but anything with cheese on it excites me greatly... so I am especially fond of Italian and Mexican food. I like to dance and am also a gym person. I love to go jogging and swimming .... helps get rid of the calories in the cheese that I just mentioned. I like playing with my nephew and niece and like reading stories to them.
Latest Update: ANOORADA was a special invitee of the Singapore Government in the MAY DAY celebrations (01-05-1998). The prime minister of Singapore and the audience were thunder struck by her rendering of the title song from the giant movie "TITANIC".
Email: mohanmohan@hotmail.com
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