I got an original. I got inspiration. I have a cover!
It lasts just 40 seconds and contains about half a dozen Malayalam words, but the catchy ‘Kaithachakka Vazhapazham’ (pineapple-banana) song has caught the fancy of netizens and song lovers. The Malayalam cover of the viral Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen (PPAP) song by Japanese comedian Pikotaro, has also become an instant hit.
Its success has swept 15-year-old Dhanwin K B, who composed the music for the song, off his feet. His catchy tune is now lodged inside the head of thousands of Malayali fans. Speaking about the cover, Dhanwin said he got his inspiration from family and friends. “I got an invitation from the production company - Insight Media City. When I saw the original PPAP music video on the internet, I got very excited. This is my first commercial project. My family and friends encouraged me to do the project and I’m very happy that the song has received such tremendous response,” he says.
In the video, comedian Unni Nair, dressed in a shirt and dhoti, dances around, to the sound of vocalist Saju Cheriyan. It has been viewed by millions on Youtube and other social media sites and the numbers are still rolling. Understandably, his idol is musician Anirudh Ravichander, who composed the Tamil hit Why This Kolaveri Di. “I am a big fan of his. I used to listen to his songs and get inspired by his music,” he notes. Dhanwin, a self-taught musician, received rudimentary music lessons during his primary school and has already composed several songs. As a musician, he wants to focus on fusion music with a combination of Western and Carnatic music. “After my grade X exams next year, I will concentrate on music,” he says with passion.