CHENNAI: After belting out hits such as Poo Vaasam from Anbe Sivam, Venpaniye from Ko, Suttum Vizhi from Ghajini, and more recently, Aanandha Yaazhai from Thanga Meenkal, singer-veena artiste Sriram Parthasarathy is on a roll.
Taking a walk down memory lane, Sriram says that from his childhood, all he wanted to be was a musician. “My career began in 2001 and then, Elangaathu Veesudhe... happened. Since then, there’s been no looking back. All thanks to Raaja sir,” he says. On working with the Isaignani, he says, “There can be only one Ilaiyaraaja. He keeps his tunes in such a way that everyone can connect witht them. He knows how to extract the best from his singers. I sometimes wonder if I can match his perfection,” he says.
Sriram prefers to be called a musician instead of a singer. “I enjoy the adrenaline rush during kutcheris. My father’s genes (Veena Parthasarathy) have been passed on to me. I guess I am lucky.
My classical background helps my film singing and my songs mostly have my style, which has classical intricacies,” he says. “I am adapting to the demands of changing times. Recently, singers, besides, rendering kutcheris are delivering commercial film numbers, which is a good sign, he says.
Ask Sriram how easy or tough he finds it, he says, classical music is about expressing yourself, whereas playback demands adherence to the composer’s rules.
“I am no SPB. When composers approach me, I should be available. The track won’t wait for me. But somehow I juggle between kutcheris and recordings,” he smiles.
Besides these, Sriram is also a part of Manava Seva Kendra, Bangalore, which is dedicated to the service of humanity. “Guruji Viswanath is a great source of inspiration. But he’s no more with us. I compose devotional songs and help them organise medical camps and weekly satsangs. Nothing can be more satisfying than this,” he says.
“Be it Carnatic, playback or Hindustani, I am looking to broaden my horizons. I’ve sung a number in KV Anand-Dhanush’s Anegan. Also, simultaneously, I am working on my album, which is based on human emotions,” says Sriram.