Reema Kalingal in the song ‘Anurag Madhuchashkam’ Nilavelicham
, Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Opinion is divided on whether director Aashiq Abu has done justice to Malayalam cinema’s first horror-romantic-thriller, Bhargavi Nilayam (1964), with his commentary, Nilavelicham, Based on his own short story, ‘Neelavelichum’, with the screenplay written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, the remake has retained the original songs composed by the great MS Baburaj. The songs have been remixed and rearranged by music composer duo Bijbal and Rex Vijayan. in an interview with The Hindu MetroplusBijbal talks about getting closer to timeless songs and recreating a new soundscape.
The composer admits that when Aashiq suggested the project, he was not enthusiastic about remixing compositions that are close to every Malayalam music lover. “I was hesitant as I was not confident. We are used to hearing these songs in a certain way and I was not sure whether I would be able to create the same feel. The aesthetic considerations of the mind are invested in, when you rework those songs, that process is not there and hence the effect is less. Singers, while learning the original, go into different layers of that particular song. , create a beautiful chemistry. It doesn’t happen again,” he explains.
Roshan Mathew and Reema Kallingal in a song sequence Nilavelicham
, Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Bijibal tells Aashiq that he will compose new songs for it Nilavelicham, “I just want to do the original. I don’t enjoy working on what the masters have already done. I can use that time creatively to do my songs. Also did a couple of remixes [‘Alliyambal kadavil’ in Loudspeaker and ‘Kannum kannum in Venicile Vyapari] I didn’t want to do it any more. But Aashiq said that these songs were part of the script that Basheer had written, that he traveled with the writer. For example, he wrote ‘Ekantathyude Mahatheeram’ in the script, which was later written by Bhaskaran Mashu (Lyricist-poet P Bhaskaran) changed to ‘Ekanthaayude Aparatheeram’.
Composer Bijibal | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
of seven songs Bhargavi Nilayamfour are in Nilavelicham, ‘Pottatha Ponnin’ is only in the album and the number ‘Arabikkadaloru’ has not been included in the remake. Although Baburaj’s family moved court against the makers of the film for alleged copyright infringement, Aashiq made an official statement stating that the makers had followed all legal procedures and were determined to reproduce those songs. rights were obtained.
Bijibal states that working with Rex was a satisfying experience. “It really helped that our musical views are different. I did the original production and handed it over to him to enhance,” he says.
They were intended to complement the feel of the film. “Aashiq had his own interpretation of the script and we worked accordingly. For example, the original song ‘Ekanthaayude’ has a layer of horror which is not there in our version. for us the song is about the characters solitude and (Loneliness), not Bhargavi’s. He is not afraid of ghosts; Rather, he is looking for a mate. We have included orchestration in the number. Similar is the case with ‘Anurag Madhuchashkam’ which had horror elements in the original as well. We didn’t use that aspect at all,” he says. His personal favorites from the album are ‘Thamasamanthe’, ‘Vasanthapanchami’ and ‘Ekanthayude’.
Bijbal insisted that he “had to be responsible for more than making my own songs. Each song was approached with the same dedication and devotion. Thanks to technology, the songs were also experienced in spatial audio (360-degree sound format)”. which may be the first of its kind in Malayalam cinema.
selection of singers
Says about the choice of playback singers KS Chitra and Shahbaz Aman Bijbal: “We needed a classic voice to replace S Janaki and the choice was always Chitra aunt, For Shahbaz, we recorded ‘Ekanthaayude’ first, especially because there are some similarities between his voice and the original singer’s voice [Kamukara Purushothaman],
Tovino Thomas Inn Nilavelicham
, photo credit: R Roshan
For ‘Thamasamanthe’, Bijbal thought of several singers before finalizing Shahbaz. “That’s the first song I learned as a musician – my uncle taught me to sing when I was in primary school. It’s the kind of song that never satisfies you as a singer. Yesudas [KJ Yesudas] Sir has rendered it with incredible ease, there are passages that are difficult to replicate, perhaps because of the ragas. So we decided to present it in a different style and we went with Shahbaz who has a different understanding and approach towards music. Also they have introduced babuka‘S [composer Baburaj] Compositions in several stages. But when I gave him the song, he said, ‘You make me sing.’ It was not easy and it took him three days to complete the recording,” says the composer.
After following Baburaj’s music for years, Bijbal says the composer cannot be compared. “His music just flows with the lyrics. That’s why his music is timeless.
How is he feeling now that the songs and the film are out? “I am very happy. Many artistes and instrumentalists have contributed to this,” he signs off.