Until a few years ago, a strict line used to separate independent musicians and the ‘music directors.’
While the former stuck to playing the odd gigs with their respective bands or shined as solo performers, the latter ruled the world of film music. In recent years, more and musicians have crossed over to mainstream film music, even while maintaining their independent careers steady.
Baiju Dharmajan is one such
Baiju Dharmajan, former guitarist of ‘motherjane’ and who currently plays for the ‘Baiju Dharmajan Syndicate,’ is the latest of these musicians to make the switch. He debuts in film music with ‘Maanasaantharappetta Yezdi.’
The film, directed by Arun Omana Sadanandan, is set to release later this month.
“This entry into films was not planned. It all happened by accident. The music director who was earlier roped in for the film left before the work could start. Musician Arun Kumar, who was recording the sync sound work for the film, suggested my name,” says Baiju, while completing the final mix of the songs at the Chitranjali studio here.
Baiju had, over a decade from the late nineties, played a key part in shaping the ‘motherjane’ sound, from the conventional progressive rock of their first album ‘Insane biography’ to the carnatic progressive rock of their second album ‘Maktub’.
Many a youngster has been influenced by his style of playing in these albums. Naturally, when he composes for films, it can’t be free of his progressive rock leanings.
“The songs were supposed to be background scores when we started composing. But now, three of those have become full-fledged songs. Yes, there is some progressive rock and some experiments with electronic music,” says Baiju. The film’s director Arun is also making his feature film debut with this one. Same with cinematographer Akhil Sasidharan, who has worked as an assistant cameraman in several films. Other than P. Balachandran, Indrans and Jayan Cherthala, the rest of the actors, drawn from the ActLab in Kochi, are also making their debut. A Yezdi bike is the central character of the film. The narrative spans the bike’s existence from 1978 to the present, and has a tinge of fantasy woven into it.
