Destiny always has a lot more in store than what is usually anticipated. This charming young man’s life is no exception. Filled with energy, he is undaunted and a winner in this league. The fame and fandom he has acquired have not inflated his ego even in the smallest way imaginable. The subsequent successes that have come his way have however made him chase even bigger dreams.
When Passion Became Profession
What began as a hobby has landed him where he is now. Like narrating a beautiful story, he traces the path that led him here. It is incredible to look back and realise that it all just happened. However, when it did, he took control and went in pursuit of it in all earnestness. “When I was three, I started learning the Western classical piano, but just as a hobby. During school, things changed. The band craze was on and drove me further. I was part of a Carnatic fusion band, which was when my interest towards music grew. It was when I was 12 or 13 that I started composing songs every day. Now when I listen to those early attempts at composing, I realise that the songs were really bad and unintentionally funny, but everybody has a starting point and that was mine,” he says.
The real deal happened after the success of a short film he had composed for. “I dreamt of becoming a music director for Tamil films right from when I was in the ninth standard, but I realistically expected it to happen when I was 30 or 35 and that too in a small way. During college I started composing for short films that Danush was working on. Somehow, one of the short films came out really well. That became a feature film called 3. Danush asked me if I would work on it. And from then on there has been no looking back.” Although, it was a big jump from short films to a feature film, and doubts prevailed inside him, he made it.
So Far, So Good
It is a known fact that it is hard to survive, let alone flourish, in this massive industry, considering the legions of legendary musicians who are a part of it. It is also a given that most composers live in perpetual fear of failure. But Anirudh keeps such fears at bay, for he has been blessed enough to see the greener side of things so far. The spirit of optimism that reverberates all around him keeps him going. The only thing he looks forward to is music, music and more music.
His beliefs are strong and music according to him comes from the soul. He has his own style of working, which has helped him climb higher. “From the beginning I have concentrated on an album as a whole, not just one song. It has worked out well, so far. So, I want to keep it going that way.” Music to Anirudh is an experience. According to him, the magic lies in giving attention to every composition. It is one thing producing a hit song for an album, while it is another when every single song in the album triumphs. Having given the world sensational compositions like Ethir Neechal and the hit that went viral, Kolaveri di, the man is a bundle of new ideas and energy.
In a few years, this talented youngster has come a long way. There is always curiousity to know the likes of the playlist of musicians. Well, he is versatile when it comes to choosing to like a particular artist or musical genre. “There are so many films coming out every week and there are hundreds of music directors coming in every year. From MSV sir, to everyone who comes in today is doing a good job.” Tastes in music evolve as people grow. Well, Anirudh agrees. “It keeps changing. Everybody goes through phases. I was in a rock phase while in college, after which I went into a funk phase. Then, I was on a huge hip-hop phase followed by an electro phase that lasted for one and a half years. Finally, I got out of it. Right now, I am into old music like jazz. So yes, it definitely keeps changing.”
Being a part of this industry, Anirudh is practical about how it all works. “There is no competition in music, people come and tell me I am going to go places, but it does not work that way. Music is not a game of numbers. It is not like the box office. It all comes down to how much people like your music and how far they can relate to it.”
Certain compositions go a long, long way in people’s memory lane. Especially when artists come together and integrate to create a number, they are etched, and there is often more excitement than usual. Does Anirudh feel the need to do so for marketing his music or because the song demands? “There is no question of selling music; the song would not be an automatic hit just because you collaborate with other artists. That is never the case, for your music should also be good.”
He looks beyond practices that have prevailed so far. To him, it is a completely new experience and that is what music is about. “The reason why I work with new artists is because musical ideas get exchanged and that is the concept in the West, where collaborations happen. However, that does not happen here, wherein, there are a set of ten singers whom everybody uses repeatedly. It is just for that whole new experience, and I wanted to bring in that and I am glad people accept and like it.”
Adept and Humble
That hint of modesty kicks in, when we ask him if he has any advice to offer budding artists. “I don’t think I am old enough or experienced enough to tell anybody anything right now!” he laughs. “I am enjoying the moment; I could not have asked for a better life. To have gotten so much so early, I think it is a blessing. You shouldn’t waste that, instead keep raising the bar higher.”
For anybody in the limelight, pressure mounts and it is necessary to sustain the heights attained. Anirudh concedes that it leads to the compulsion to perform better. The expectation people have gives the push required to keep going, and not just moving further but with class and new ideas.
If life had not swerved him to where he is today, Anirudh laughs and says, “I would be working in a bank as an intern, maybe. But I would not have been happy. And being here, I hope I work harder and that I don’t compromise or get lazy. Of course, I think there is very little chance of that happening. This is my passion and this is what I know to do.” Charming as ever, he signs off with a favourite Bob Marley quote “When music hits you, you feel no pain.”
Anirudh hails from a family of achievers. His father Ravichander (Latha Rajanikanth’s brother) is a prominent theatre personality and a senior banker, while his mother Lakshmi is a dancer and a popular wedding planner in Chennai. Having had the banking lineage, if life had not swerved him to where he is today, Anirudh laughs and says, “I would be working in a bank as an intern, maybe. But I would not have been happy. And being here, I hope I work harder and that I don’t compromise or get lazy. Of course, I think there is very little chance of that happening. This is my passion and this is what I know to do.” Charming as ever, he signs off with a favourite Bob Marley quote “When music hits you, you feel no pain.”