She gave an ode to motherhood through the melodious lullaby ‘Lalee...’ in the movie ‘Kalimannu’. Mridula Warrier, who burst into the scene through a reality show, has proven her mettle bagging a special jury award for her soulful rendering.
Mridula says the unexpected award is a great boost for her. “An award always counts. The response the song garnered was amazing. Malayalis lapped it up and where ever I went, people said I would win an award. But, the honour is unexpected,” she said.
She says the biggest honour the song gave her was an ‘identity’. “Before “Lalee..” I was Mridula Warrier of Star Singer fame. After the song became a chartbuster, I earned the tag of a playback singer,” says Mridula.
For someone who is yet to experience the bliss of motherhood, Mridula’s rendering was highly emotive. Says Mridula: “When M Jayachandran Sir called me to sing the song, I had absolutely no idea what was in store. Only when I heard the track that I understood it was a lullaby and a different one. Jayachandran sir told me that the song was a different one with alluring lyrics from ONV sir,” says Mridula.
She feels that every word in the song, a lullaby for an unborn baby, had to convey the feelings which made her an even better singer. Ironically, Mridula had sung in movies much before she became a household name through Star Singer. “I debuted in Big B in 2007. However, then I wasn’t too keen on becoming a playback singer as my focus was on completing my education. But, once I took part in the reality show, my perspective towards music changed,” says Mridula.
However, it was ‘Oru Mezhuthiriyude...’ in Vishudhan and ‘O Marimayan Kaviyalle’... in Ivan Megharoopan that made her a name to reckon.
Mridula who considers M Jayachandran as her mentor and guru says it was he who gave her valuable lessons in music. “I had never taken lessons in classical music. It was the valuable tips he taught me that molded the singer in me,” she adds.
With a lot of projects in her kitty, Mridula Warrier is a busy person these days. “I am happy to be associated with music director Bijibal for his latest venture ‘Ulsaha Committee’, with Afsal Yousuf in ‘Ee Yatrayil’ and a few other projects. I do have a solo song with M Jayachandran sir too,” says Mridula.
Mridula who came to the scene after being adjudged runner-up of a reality show says not many reality stars do make it to the movies these days.
“Actually it is a matter of focus. While being in reality shows, our immediate aim is to win it. After the win, many tend to loose focus. Besides, overdoing stage shows can ruin our voice,” says Mridula.