KOZHIKODE: Musical talent and pedigree, Ruthin Thej, a young music programmer from Kozhikode, has both in spades. Ruthin is the keyboard player of the band Thaikudam Bridge, which is currently one of the most popular music bands in the state. The band has a legion of fans connecting Malayali youths all over the world. Being the son of music director Thej Mervin, Ruthin’s entry into the musical world was at a quite young age, but he made his individual fingerprint in 2012 when he started off as a freelance programmer at Chennai. His first brush with success came the same year when ‘Vandi Panchar,’ his first album work was released, which was an instant hit on Youtube.
Another breakthrough in his career came when he got a chance to work on the background score for the movie ‘Kadal Kadannoru Mathukutty,’ directed by Ranjith. “I got a chance to experiment with my talent as I worked along with my father in the movie,” says Ruthin. But the real platform to show his talent and energy came his way with Thaikudam Bridge. It was in Chennai that he met Govind Menon, vocalist, violinist and music producer of Thaikudam Bridge. “It was all of a sudden. I was seriously into my music programming works at Chennai then, and it was there that I met Govind Menon and my friendship with him led me to Thaikkudam Bridge,“ says Ruthin, agreeing with excitement that the huge success of the band was completely unexpected.
When asked about his inspiration, Ruthin is spontaneous in his reply, “My inspiration has always been my father, and for my music, music itself is the inspiration.”
Coming from a family where music is a part of their life, Ruthin knew from the beginning what his future would be. His brother Abin Thej, who is 14 years old, is also into the world of music. Abin used to be the drummer for Thaikudam Bridge during its initial days. He was also the youngest artiste in the band.
“We were completely into stage shows last season and now we are going to get together for our next work which has to satisfy our fans who have made us so popular,“ says Ruthin from his home at Chevayoor. With music in his blood and hailing from a land which has awarded many artistes to the world, future will inscribe the name of this blooming talent also in the glory list of Kozhikode.