Saaral – the expedient route to my long-cherished goal! I’ve been often asked why I decided to title my album “Saaral”. Saaral signifies a soft smattering of raindrops; tiny drops coming together as one, a whole being. Like the drizzle that lovingly caresses your face, my music will caress your soul and more…

Music is my beginning, music is my end! What better title could I have thought of for my music album, something that encompasses me in totality?!? This music album is my humble attempt to enter the arena of music. The beginning of the means to reach the end I desire, my goal in life, my music, my be all and end all!!!

Yes, Saaral is my dream come true!!! From when I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. However, the desire to launch a music album of my own took hold of me when I had just stepped into my teens, in class IX. Not one to sit twiddling my thumbs, I set about sowing the first seeds for bringing my dream to fruition. I started competing on stage; won a few, lost many! That didn’t deter me. I vowed to try harder each time. Considering that the bathroom had been my only stage thus far, any small success spurred me on to greater strength! I have not had any formal training in music; my theoretical knowledge of music is very limited. All I know is a good note from a bad one, a harmonious tune from a jarring one, soul-stirring melody, and above all, music from noise!!! I listen to a lot of music; I imbibe a lot from what I hear. Experimentation is my second name, and mixing and working with both old and never-before heard tunes, my second nature!

Way back in 1991, I composed my first song ever. The shift from being only a singer to a composer too was a highly fulfilling one! The response to my first composition wasn’t too great. Although admittedly a few of my schoolmates liked what they heard, most were skeptical of my ability. This egged me on to come out with better music; something that would instantly strike a chord with the listeners, something that appealed to the sensibilities of the majority. I figured that the way to accomplish that is to listen to all kinds of music. I knew that I had to broaden my horizon and deepen my knowledge in, and understanding of, all kinds of music and notes. I set about doing just that, with an unparalleled vengeance and determination!

Jerry & Rajani Menon, my close and bosom buddies, were the first to sing some of my songs. They loved it, and I tasted the first drops of success!!! In the interim between 1991 to the present 2008, I have composed close to 30 songs. Unlike the cold responses I got in school, in college, my songs were more appreciated and liked! Maybe, I had grown as a musician! I certainly hoped so!

Music is the food of love, they say! It is this very pristine emotion that finds expression in my music. I write about love, I sing about love, I compose my music with love! I haven’t dabbled in any other emotion or feeling in my music. I attribute this primarily to the fact that there has always been an abundance of love in my life. Ahem!!! Maybe I owe this to the long list of girls who’ve been a part of my life! <wink> Jokes aside, love is what inspires me to make music, and love is what brings out the best in me!

This year, 2008, has proved to be a milestone in more terms than one. Not only have I succeeded in releasing my first ever music album, but have also made many friends and acquaintances along the way! My meeting with Sanjeev, a music arranger and composer par excellence, was a momentous one, in that I became more convinced than ever that Saaral was closer than I thought!

Deepu Thomas, a good friend (also, a naughty brat, I must say!), was the one who made my meeting Sanjeev possible. Our association is what has made Saaral a reality!

At this juncture, I think it’s necessary I thank all those who have helped make my dream come true; all those who have been instrumental in creating the magic of Saaral!

Ravi Narendran, the producer, the moneybags :), has always shown faith in me and my music. To double the advantage, he’s my
Co brother too! I will always be grateful to him for identifying, and giving fodder, to the spark in me!

Sanjeev Phillip Thomas, the music arranger and composer, has been extremely helpful and instrumental in the making of Saaral.
Sanjeev has been a full-time musician and producer since 1998. He pioneers the Rainbow Bridge Studio and works on many individual projects, introducing new artists, working on both stage and film projects, and organizing events on the arts. He has pioneered India’s top rock acts such as Buddha’s Babies, Buddha Blown and now with Rainbow Bridge performing all over the country with a few performances in Kuwait and Helsinki, Finland. He has worked with numerous artists of the film and advertisement industry providing music for TV commercials, albums, documentaries and theatre. Sanjeev collaborated with Ashok Cherian to compose and perform India’s First Rock Opera The Fallen, written by Micheal Muthu, which was performed at the Hindu Theatre Festival in August 2005, additionally providing the musical direction for the Michael Muthu movie Gurl and Freedom, directed by Thampy Kannandanam. Most recent projects include working with A.R.Rahman which featured Sanjeev on guitar, for movies like Ada, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Azhagiya Thamizh Magan, Vote for the Taj Mahal (Single) and many others. In the new movie ADA, Sanjeev has been featured on solo guitar on an instrumental renidition of the song "Meherbaan", exclusive as one of the main tracks of the movie.

Benny Dayal, the male vocalist for most of the songs in Saaral, has been an amazing surprise! He is immensely talented and extremely vibrant and energetic! In fact, he sang the songs so beautifully that I decided not to sing in this album, save for one stanza!!! Sanjeev was the one who recommended Benny. Boy! Am I glad I acted upon his recommendation!!! Benny Dayal is a member of S5 Music Band. He did his B.Com from the prestigious Madras Christian College. His first song was Balleilakka in Sivaji as a chorus singer. After that, he has sung two songs, Maduraikku Pogadhedi and Nee Marylin Monroe cloning-aa in Azhagiya Thamizh Magan composed by A.R.Rahman. He has also sung Neeye Sol from Polladhavan composed by G.V.Prakash. His latest songs from Dhaam Dhoom are Dhikku dhikku and Pudhu Pudhu composed by Harris Jeyaraj. He has also sung two songs for A.R.Rahman's latest in hindi movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane na. He joins again with A.R. Rahman in a tamil film Sakarakatti with his heart throbing Sweet voice for the song Chinnamma chilakkamma. He has sung a melody song Theeneeril in a tamil film Subramaniyapuram.

Unnikrishnan, the vocalist (Pavaye), has endowed the song with his characteristic life and vigor. A singer who needs no introduction, this song was specifically written with him in mind! I am thankful that he agreed to lend his voice for the same.

Piriyan, lyricist (Parvai aazh kadalil & Azhagal), has devoted a good part of his time for writing two songs for Saaral. Piriyan is an upcoming writer in tamil film industry.(Anjathe, Kathalil Vizhunthen, Rasikkum Seemaaney, Pandhayam, A.. AA..E..EE..). http://piriyan.wordpress.com/

Aman Sankhya, the one point of all-consuming happiness in my life, has been that, just by virtue of being my daughter! A bundle of joy; I feel blessed to have borne her!

Sangeetha, the only one to have been so tortured by listening to my songs every single day; she is, of course, my lovely wife, and a confidante par comparison!

Prasita, the one responsible for writing all that you’re reading here, has been a very good friend and supporter.

I'd also like to thank Anuradha Sinha for not only being a friend, and fan, but also for stringing together beautiful words for a fantastic
final write up.

Prabhu Prasad, the brilliant and amazing photographer has devoted a good part of his time in capturing us, for the cover shot and the website.

Finally, I want to thank all those who have always loved me, and always believed in me, no matter what! My parents, my parents-in-law, my close friends,  I thank you all!!!

For Sunitha & Ravi, Suchi & Sumesh, Priya & P D Gopakumar, Preethi & Jeyaprakash, Sandeep & Rajani, Smitha & Raghesh, Vivek, Sajeen, Purushotman, Sumesh, Berkin, Prisy Gopalan, Karthick Ravindran, Sindhu Kuttan and to all my sweet rascals Jerry & Priya, Satish, Jofy & Hema, Mohan kumar & Roopa, Kishore & Anu, Jazz & Reeba, I just have one thing to say, guys....Yippee! I finally made it! :) Thanks a lot for believing in me, buddies.

As a parting shot, I echo Shakespeare’s sentiment, “If music be the food of love, play on.”!!!

                                                                                                                        by Gopakumar(www.gops.in)