Sasikala V Menon has an impressive lineage of having worked with stalwarts like Devarajan Master and P Suseela, but the lyricist went on a self-imposed sabbatical for decades from the movie industry. But now, back in the scene after penning a melody, ‘Varikomale Oru’, in the Jayasurya-starrer Jilebi, Sasikala says she is totally at ease with the industry, despite the break.
“Initially, when I was approached to work on a song for Nemom Pushparaj’s Kukkiliyar in 2012, I was apprehensive. But, with Jilebi I had no such troubles. I was totally at ease with writing the romantic number,” says Sasikala, who is overwhelmed by the response her song in the movie has generated.
“Jilebi happened due to my association with its producer, East Coast Vijayan. I had penned lyrics for a few albums brought out by East Coast and that’s how I was chosen for the movie,” says Sasikala, who says she received good words from many for her meaningful lyrics.
But how easy was writing romantic lines for Jilebi since devotional songs had been her forte for some time? “During the years I took a break from movies, I had been working on a few albums, but most of them were devotional. That’s how I began to get associated with devotional songs. But, before that, my initial years were in the cinema. I had mostly written love songs and this experience came handy when I worked for Jilebi. Those who listened to the songs even told me that they were surprised I could write such romantic lines,” says the lyricist.
Sasikala, who penned a few hit songs in movies like Sindooram (1976), Agninakshatram (1977) and Wayanadan Thampan, among a few, says she holds the record of being the woman lyricist who wrote the maximum number of songs for Malayalam films.
The writer, who went on a sabbatical, following her marriage to Congressman and GCDA chairman N Venugopal, decided to do what she loves after her children moved from their home for studies. “Then suddenly, I was left with so much time and that’s why I decided to come back,” says Sasikala.
Like many other lyricists who has had a hang of old times, Sasikala too feels the pinch of writing to the tunes, but she isn’t entirely dismissive of the trend. “True, there was so much importance given to lyrics in the old times, but we have talented people now, too. There is nothing to be discouraged about,” says Sasikala.
Next, she is working on a movie that is being penned by renowned scriptwriter Kaloor Dennis.