A voice so deep and refreshing that you would immediately fall in love with it. A singer who would soon be placed along the likes of singers with rustic, earthy texture in their voice. ‘Urumi’ is the talk of the town and the powerful number ‘Chalanam, chalanam...’ has given the industry a new name to reckon with. Resmi Satheesh. This native of Parassala could not have asked for a better debut in the tinseltown.
She has also sung ‘Appa nammade...’ (an original folk song), the opening piece of the song ‘Aaro nee aaro’ sung by K J Yesudas and Swetha and a number of four-line songs in the movie. It was indeed encouraging to listen to this 28-year-old who has taken a break from her regular job to become a sound engineer, setting a precedent for many girls from the state.
Road to ‘Urumi’
It so happened that Resmi landed up as location sound recordist of Lenin Rajendran’s ‘Makaramanju’ which had Santosh Sivan playing the lead role. That came immediately after the completion of the MSW course which she did in Wayanad. Her singing found a huge fan in Santosh who would often make her sing, especially traditional folk songs. What came handy was her knowledge of the genre while doing her MSW course. She has been in touch with the music and life of the region. “And there he was asking me to do music research for his project ‘Urumi’. Well, all that happened before finalising anything about ‘Urumi’!”
She ventured out to learn about the kind of music Santosh Sivan had in mind. She went to Kalamandalam as part of her research, took pains to study about ‘Dasiyattam’, then the music of the tribals and put the collection of songs which she already had to best use. And one among them ‘Appa Nammade...’ found its way to ‘Urumi’. “When I was told to come to Chennai for recording, it was totally unbelievable. I was lucky that I was part of the whole process, ie right from writing the lyrics, to composing and singing it under Deepak Dev.”
Resmi is all praise for lyricist Engandiyoor Chandrasekharan (who has songs like ‘Ninne Kaanan Ennakallum… and Avial rock band’s Nada Nada…, to his credit) who wrote the lyrics for the songs from the movie ‘Aarane Aarane…’, ‘Vadakku Vadakku…’, ‘Thelu Thele…’ and the four-line songs which she has sung.
Music + Movies
A trained classical singer from her childhood, she has been passionate about the movies, has been active in film societies and worked on documentaries and music videos. In fact, she has a music video ‘12th hour song’, to her credit which has put social issues plaguing the society in a nut-shell. The song which goes ‘Ini varunna thalamurakku/Ividam vasam sadhyamo?’ has already travelled to many schools. “Noted documentary film-maker late Saratchandran liked it so much that he showed it at many venues,” she says.
Resmi is currently pursuing the three-year degree course in audiography from Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, taking leave from her job with the Directorate of Medical Education. “I am the first girl from the state to join this institute. It was quite difficult to convince the family. You have all that misconceptions associated with the industry. Now, they all are happy,” she says with much happiness.
Singer or Sound Engineer
“Music will always be there, whatever profession I choose. I want to be known as a sound engineer. Now that I am studying in Kolkata, I would love to try my hand on Rabindrasangeeth and Baul music as well,” says an enthusiastic Resmi who is a huge fan of Bombay Jayasri.
An anxious wait
Well, if you want to see ‘Chalanam, chalanam...’ picturised on gorgeous Vidya Balan, you will have to see the movie. For, the makers have not yet parted with the song to be aired by the music channels, so as to keep the surprise element. Only a 30-second trailer of the song is currently going rounds.
As Resmi is anxiously waiting for the songs to be splashed all over, the news is that those who have heard her have simply loved her voice.
“The response has been overwhelming. I have been more appreciated for the rendering of ‘Appa Nammade...’. People say there is a difference in my voice and many youngsters have loved my work,” says Resmi with excitement oozing out of her voice. Discussions are on with some composers, she adds.
m_athira@newindianexpress.com