Though comparatively a new entrant into the tinsel town, B K Hari Narayanan has already made his mark in M-Town with his hit lyrics. Hari Narayanan shot to fame with his tracks Olanjali Kuruvi from the film 1983 and Kaattu Moolio from Om Shanti Oshana. “It was those songs that really gave me a boost. Audience really took it well and I got many appreciation calls from all quarters,” gushes Hari.
This young lad who made his debut through Unnikrishan B’s film Thriller never had to look back since.
His latest works include Khuda oh Khuda from Mr Fraud, Diana Diana from Ring Master and Va Vayasu Cholidaan Madichidathe in How Old Are You.
So how did a graduate in Physics who is a practicing Vedic priest who pursued CA for a while and then took up journalism stumble upon filmdom? “Well, even when I was in college I used to write poems and some of them got published in a couple of magazines as well. It was kind of my passion. It was around the same time that I got an opportunity to pen the lyrics for a Mapila album of East Coast directed by Unni Nambiar. And after that I penned lyrics for a couple of other albums as well,” Hari recollects.
It was one of Hari’s friends Jayakumar who actually facilitated his entry into the film industry by introducing him to director Unnikrishnan B.
“Unni sir was working on the film Thriller at the time and he gave me a tune and asked me if I could write the lyrics and I instantly agreed. Unni sir liked it and gave me a lot of suggestions. It was he who gave me an opportunity and brought me into the film world. He is like my guru, who not only brought me into the filmdom but also helped me sustain there.”
Hari also got the opportunity to work with the director in his next films, Grand Master and I Love Me.
Soon Hari was introduced to music director Gopi Sundar who like Unnikrishan played a crucial role in building the lyricist’s career. Gopi Sundar who was quite impressed by Hari’s work in Mr Fraud and Salala Mobiles suggested him for 1983 as well. “It was Gopi Sundar sir who gave me the opportunity to pen lyrics for Olanjali Kuruvi which gave me a break. In the short time I have been in the industry, ninety-five per cent of the works I have done was for Gopi Sundar sir,” he says.
Ask him what kind of songs he prefer, melodies or fast numbers, the prolific lyricist says, “As a listener I prefer melodies but as a lyricist I do everything. When I don the role of a lyricist I cannot stick to just one genre alone. This job demands versatility.”
Speaking about the challenges of being a lyricist, Hari says, “The main challenge of being a lyricist now is that, when the listeners are bombarded with multitude of songs every hour, retaining their attention on a single song is no cake walk. We should be able to deliver numbers that are catchy and capable of holding the attention of the audience. Producing hits has become the prime requirement.”
Regarding the present day lyrics loosing the feel that yesteryear songs used to have, Hari says, when everything has changed, the storyline, characters portrayed, setting and so on, lyrics alone can’t be expected to stick to tradition.
“A new-gen hero standing on the balcony of his plush flat and looking down towards the fast metro and thinking of his lost girlfriend can never be expected to sing something on the lines of Sumangali nee ormikkumo swapnaththilenkilum. It will sound funny and look awkward. Films portray what is happening around us. And Malayalis have changed a lot with times.”
Hari Narayanan who has already penned lyrics for around 15 films, has a busy year ahead with the works of Nakku Penta Nakku Tekka, Koothara and Mili to name a few.
