There have been many highs in playback singer Radhika Sethumadhavan’s life, including being the finalist on TV music reality show, Idea Star Singer, in 2006. But what never made it to her achievements’ list was an opportunity to perform with one of her idols, the late music director Johnson. “I never even got the opportunity to meet Johnson Master in person,” begins Sethumadhavan, who is the driving force behind this Saturday’s tribute to the late composer.
Titled Madhuram Jeevamrutha Bindu, after one of Johnson’s best compositions, the two-hour long event will see singers Rhithwik Chand, Mithun Jayaraj and Elisaba Kurien joining Sethumadhavan to present some of the composer’s best works. The singers had earlier worked closely with Sethumadhavan. Determined to recreate the ‘Johnson Master experience’, Sethumadhavan has also gone to great lengths to bring together seven artistes from his original troupe to perform at the tribute. “Johnson Master’s tunes have an inherent melody in them. They are simple yet have great depth,” says the 26-year-old, who has been smitten by the composer since she started music lessons at five. Beginning his career in the 70s, Johnson—lovingly called Johnson Maash by his fans—had dominated the Malayalam movie industry. Composing music for more than 300 movies, he was the first to bag a national award for Malayalam music, before passing away due to a heart attack in 2011.
Like her idol, Sethumadhavan—who grew up in Bengaluru and recently relocated to Kochi—has a love of western music, while also exploring Arabic, R&B and jazz. She was also the voice coach for participants of the 2014 Asianet Star Singer show. At the tribute, expect gems from Johnson Master, like Rajahamsame, Devanganangal kayyozhinja tharakam and Anuragini itha en karalil virinja pookkal. The event will be held at Kerala Fine Arts Hall, on Saturday, at 6.30 pm. Free entry. Details: 2352730.
(Courtesy: Indulge, http://indulge.newindianexpress.com/)