The music scene in Kollywood seems to be slowly but surely undergoing a transformation. Yes, more and more women music directors are now beginning to make their mark. One such music director is S J Jananiy, who has scored the music for the upcoming Tamil film Prabha.
“I had scored music for 17 music albums. The director of the film, Nandan, happened to hear one of my albums called Vande Mataram in which several eminent singers including S P Balasubrahmanyam sir, Hariharan sir and Unnikrishnan sir had sung. The album contained Bharathiyar’s songs. He liked my music and chose to give me an opportunity in his film titled Prabha, which is a woman-centric film.”
Jananiy says that Malayalam actress Swasika plays the lead in the film which is about how a woman overcomes obstacles all by herself. One other interesting aspect about the music director is that veteran musician Dr Balamuralikrishna has sung a song in her film.
“Dr Balamuralikrishna sir is my guruji. I have been learning music from him for about seven years. So, when I requested him, he immediately agreed without a moment’s hesitation. It’s been four or five years since he has sung for a film but he immediately agreed to sing for me,” she says, elated.
The youngster, who has been giving Carnatic concerts, is someone who also has plans to go international with a band. “I plan to realise that dream too someday,” she says.