The legend of devotional and commercial mix
After a traverse of much hard work and dedication to his profession for the last two and half decades, one name has emerged from the ocean of Indian music. He is not an individual alone, but a representative of great power – the power of music. That is MM Keeravani with melody right touching the heart and influencing its beat across the world of Telugus. To his enigmatic career, a credit of scoring scintillating music for 185 movies so far is attached. He is admired by all sections of the audiences; call it class, mass, family-oriented or any type of genre. He gave a thought-provoking interview to www.chitramala.com Excerpts as under:
CM: Today, the Telugus have come to consider as their household name thanks to the mind-soothing devotional fervor you have generated with "Sri Ramadasu". Where exactly the seed was sown for "Sri Ramadasu"?
MMK: Considerably it was a miracle in my life. Some time back I had been to the temple of Lord Rama at Badrachalam. The pujaris there suggested me to consider making a venture on "Sri Ramadasu", the evergreen manifestation of devotion. Instantly I liked the idea. At a suitable point, I told the same to K. Raghavendra Rao garu. He took the lead constantly and the result is before you. I believe, Lord Rama Himself had me think of and execute his divine project.
CM: Is it a commercial or devotional project in your view?
MMK: I can only say it's a good project. I consider it as a movie which will last long both as a commercial and devotional movie. There is great sense of aesthetics and creativity in it. It is the result of not one individual, but a collective effort of all the unit of the movie. It has rightly proved that hard work always pays.
CM: Your previous chartbuster "Annamayya" is still considered the best in the annals of devotional music. People have started comparing the latest "Sri Ramadasu" tunes with "Annamayya" and there is also some criticism that it lacked the flavor in comparison. What do you feel about it?
MMK: After doing our job, none of us got disheartened. We already knew people would definitely go in for comparison and its quite natural. But I want to say – each of it has its own flavor and melody. Both are great peaks and comparison is a minor thing and the same would be proved in the longer run.
CM: How the confidence came to you that you would successfully shoulder this responsibility with "Sri Ramadasu", after giving a stupendous hit "Annamayya"?
MMK: Yes, despite several odds, I always held the confidence in me – that I alone would do justice to this project. I am always grateful to my father, who instilled such strength in me even as I was a child.
CM: Yes, you have that caliber to execute mighty devotional projects. But there should also be producers with the same caliber and taste. How come this point could synchronize you're your and the producer of "Sri Ramadasu", and to that matter "Annamayya"?
MMK: It's a valid observation. (Takes a deep breath). The efforts behind any great project always are undertaken with dedication and perseverance …. More so it's the faith that matters. Emperors and Kings always patronized the fine arts and "Vaggeyakaras" (saint poets). (Smiles to say). You know – Annamayya was produced by Doraswami Raju garu, a kshatriya (of kingly clan) and now also Sri Ramadasu is done by Konda Krishnam Raju garu, also a kshatriya. Again, I believe, this would not have been possible without divine sanction.
CM: There is a wide public feeling that the combination Keeravani and K. Raghavendra Rao alone would succeed when it comes to the matter of touching the hearts of the audiences? Do you agree?
MMK: To achieve uniformity in thought and action, harmonious exchange of ideas is important. It is where we clicked. As a senior personage in the industry, I consider him as a great force in Indian film industry. Our combination started with "Allari Mogudu", way back in 90s. "Sri Ramadasu" is our 16 th project together, I think. Next great click was "Gharana Mogudu" with megastar. This same sense of coordination and uniformity helped us achieve the success rate as you know it today.
CM: Who finalizes the tunes composed by you? What sort of freedom you enjoy in your profession?
MMK: Coming to KRR garu, he would pick up the tunes after listening to three or four types. It's where his directorial greatness comes alive. I am also happy that I enjoy a lot of freedom and producers and other technical crew always impose the faith in me. I am thankful to them.
CM: When can we expect another movie with the same combination (Keeravani and KRR)?
MMK: I hold sincere hope. Such a project would be there definitely, provided it requires the initiation from KRR garu. Yes. Only from him.
CM: You have three different names? What's the secret behind that?
MMK: Nothing like that. My parents named me as "Marakatha Mani Keeravani". Here people call me MMKeeravani. In Bollywood, its MM Cream. Of course, it's the nickname for my "Swaram" (voice), like penname.
CM: There is a feel. That you do movies for KRR or relatives as directors or storywriters. Why you are not showing interest in doing movies with others who do not come under this category?
MMK: (Takes a big laugh) I don't know why. Most of the producers who make movies with me are more or less my relatives. I can say it otherwise. When I make ventures for producers, most of them happen to be relatives of mine. Ok, I have done 185 movies so far. Do all of the producers are my relatives? (Laughs again).
CM: Do you have any plans to take up private albums for lovers of devotional music?
MMK: Sure, I have a project in my mind. Two projects will be coming sooner or later. One on Lord Shiva and the second one on Lord Hanuman.
CM: Do you find any threat to Audio market due to spiraling trend of pirated versions?
MMK: I don't think so. The taste of music is immortal. It will be there as long as human race is there. Those which get victimized due to FM Radios and pirated crime are the ones which do not have real stuff in them.
CM: What is the glamour point in cinema songs?
MMK: To generate movie songs, it requires lot of talent and feel for public pulse. Hero, Heroine, locations, director, and mood are all come under the purview of the department. Next, comes the suitable "Swarakalpana" (the initiation of the voice).
CM: Thank you very much sir. Any message to our visitors?
MMK: Thank you. I also take the opportunity to thank the lovers of my tunes through your website. I also wish you all the best.
