If sweet are the melodies you heard, why not customise them for a fresher appeal? Dhruvam specialises in performing the unplugged version of popular melodies from Malayalam movies of the ’80s and ’90s or the hits of Ilayaraja or AR Rahman. “The style and rhythm are changed. Sometimes we begin with the anupallavi of the original song and then move on to the pallavi,” pianist Manoj Abraham Sunil explains.
Unplugged is the trump card of Dhruvam, and it has proven skills in semi classical and a classical Western fusion. Vocalist Varsha Dinesh speaks, “Piano is the key instrument in performing the uplugged versions. After selecting the songs, it is left to the pianist to set tunes.” All singers have formal training in classical music and others are also learning music.
The three-year-old band took shape as an initiative of the female members. Immense support from their families and seniors keep them motivated. The band is a near constant presence at the intercollegiate festivals and has won four prizes. They came second and third for two consecutive years (in 2012 and 2013) at the Dhwani and Yagna Dhruva fests. “But the thing is, compared to other rock bands, we rarely get a space to take part in the fests. If only there were events for unplugged or Eastern orchestra, we could participate,” shares Manoj.
The nine-member band also has Sretha Sreekumar, Achyuth Sankar (vocalists), Lekshman Santhosh (drummer), Adarsh Subramonian (violinist), Arjun S Nair (guitarist), Deepesh Iyer (tablist) and Prashanth P S (mridangamist). All are students of Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering in Thiruvananthapuram.
— meera.manu@newindianexpress.com