Thiruvananthapuram-based playback singer Nayana Nair is on cloud nine and there is a good reason for it too. For those who have heard the track ‘Kanna Nee Toongada...’ from the Tamil version of S S Rajamouli’s magnum opus Baahubali 2, Nayana Nair may be a more familiar name.
For Nayana who had been part of a singing reality show in 2009, getting the chance to sing a track for the bilingual was indeed a dream-come-true moment. On bagging the opportunity, Nayana states: “Keeravani sir being one of the legends in music composition, it was my wish to work with him. I finally got an opportunity to meet him through Jassi Gift.
Keeravani sir listened to a few of my demo songs and happened to like it. I was asked to join the singing team. In fact, I never knew that the track would be for Baahubali.
According to her, being a part of the core team was no cake walk. The professional singer adds that it was a completely different experience. Says Nayana: “In fact, I became a part of the group one-and-a-half years back.
While a playback singer usually comes into the picture only after the song is composed, it was different for this song. I was part of it right from the composing stage. It was after Rajamouli sir listened to the first few lines of the track that I was selected to sing the track.”
Before ‘Kanna Nee’, Nayana had already lent her voice for tracks from Malayalam movies like Ee Adutha Kalathu, Aamayum Muyalum and Vismayam and a few other Tamil songs.
Getting calls of appreciation from all quarters, the singer believes the track has helped her gain more exposure.
Sharing a memorable incident, Nayana says, “I had recently put a thank you note on Facebook for the opportunity to be a part of this project.
The post got so many likes, including one from none other than A R Rahman’s sister and playback singer Reihana Shekhar and that itself is a big recognition for me.” A passionate singer, Nayana started singing from the age of 3.
Having learnt Carnatic music from a young age, the vocalist has been exploring herself since then. She says, “My parents are good singers but haven’t pursued it professionally. I have learnt music from a number of gurus including Shobana Krishnamoorthy.
Though I am still learning Carnatic music along with Hindusthani, there is no particular genre that I am in love with. You could say that I am still exploring myself.”
Having bagged a few offers now in Tamil and Telugu, the playback singer who currently shuttles between Telengana and Kerala plans to continue pursuing a career in singing.