THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Yusufali Kechery was a genius who could write meaningful as well as simple words within seconds, recalls noted music director Mohan Sitara who had collaborated with the deceased lyricist for around 100 hit songs. ‘’It was a great experience to work with such a outstanding writer. He was such an amazing person who could deliver words within a fraction of second, if he was explained the situation of the scene in which the song is to be added,’’ says Mohan Sitara.
Mohan Sitara recalled an incident during the composing of the song for the Vinayan-directed film ‘Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum’. ‘’It was during 1998-99 period when we were camping at a hotel in Cochin in connection with the composing of the songs for the film. One afternoon, the director gave us the description about the scene for which the song is to be composed and he left the room. As it was time for lunch, we also moved to the dining table. While having food, I just hummed a bit tune. Suddenly Yusufali looked at me and went to wash the hands leaving food there itself. He took a paper and pen from nearby table and scribbled a line and that was ‘Aalila Kanna...’ song. The rest of the portion was written without pre-composed tune. Usually I used to give the tune before getting the lyrics. But all the songs in which I collaborated with Kechery were composed after I got the lyrics as I was a fan of his writings,’’ Mohan Sitara says. All the songs in that movie were chartbusters and M G Sreekumar won his second National Award for ‘Chanthupottum Chankelasum’ song in this movie.
It was for K B Madhu-directed ‘Deepasthambham Mahascharyam’ that the duo joined for their first song.
“From then he used to treat me as a younger brother or like a son,’’ he recalls.
Also read: Poet-Lyricist Yusufali Kechery Passes Away