When cousins Govind and Siddarth Menon worked on a Rahman medley during their leisure time at home, little did they know that they were building the base for a music band that would, literally, go viral among the youth. Thaikkudam Bridge, the music band that has young hearts going bananas, has turned music to the ears of many through their different genres of music - nostalgia, rock and classical.
“The seed for the band was laid once our song was noticed by a private entertainment channel. They asked us to come up with as many as 12 songs for performing at a music programme. So, I called up a few of my friends in Bombay who are crazy about music. Thus, was formed the band. And, we are like a cricket team, we have 14 members and possibly the biggest band in the country,” says Siddarth, who is one of the singers of the band.
And, the name Thaikkudam Bridge? “It’s actually a coincidence. The band was christened after the bridge by the same name in Kochi. We used to jam at a place near the bridge and felt there is no better name than the bridge itself. And, yes it was the only place in Kochi most of our band members knew,” quips Siddarth.
Be it cover songs - Nostalgia (the reincarnation of evergreen Malayalam songs), Rahman Medley, the all-time hit ‘Beat it’, Waltzing Matilda or Violin Maniac- or their self songs - ‘Fish Rock’ and ‘Shiva’ - the band with their unconventional and amusing lyrics and euphoria-inducing music has turned quite a rage among the youngsters.
They burst into the scene with their super hit ‘Nostalgia’ that reincarnated evergreen melodies like Mantharacheppundo.., Allimalarkavil... and soon had the college-going crowd hooked.
“These songs were once very popular. Even after a decade they remain fresh in the minds of people. These songs had a natural charm and all we did was brush it up a little. We were overwhelmed by the response it garnered online,” says Siddarth.
Thaikkudam Bridge largely owes its popularity to social network Facebook and YouTube. Their ‘Fish Rock’ has got 1,90,488 hits in You Tube. “Of course, we had immense support in virtual world. Our songs went viral all over the Facebook and this helped our popularity,” says Siddarth.
Ask him on what makes Thaikkudam Bridge tick? “Nothing but good music. When we select a song to perform, our focus is on how it will appeal a listener. Our band is blessed with members who are experts in Sufi music, Classical, Rock. The feel is never lost,” says Siddarth. The band performs songs at least six to seven genres.
The band is too busy these days doing gigs at various colleges. Next on the cards for Thaikkudam Bridge is MTVs ‘Coke Studio’. “For that we need a few self songs and we are busy preparing for that,” says Siddarth.
And, of course film offers are pouring in too. Govind who composed the music for North 24 Katham is already a name to reckon with in music industry while Siddarth who sang for the movie is making baby steps in the industry.
“Our guitarist Midhun has been working with music directors like Bijibal. So we are all connected to movie industry in some or the other way and so not all were debutantes. They were associated with music in some place or the other. Thaikkudam Bridge helped us all come together,” he adds.