Rocking the Tamil film scene

The founder of Thaikudam Bridge, Govind Menon, 
Rocking the Tamil film scene

Govind Menon is one of the founders of the famous band, Thaikudam Bridge, and a well-known name in the independent music circle. The musician, whose first Tamil film as a composer, Asuravadham, is getting released this week, says that it feels magical to make his debut with a Sasikumar film. “During the time of Subramaniapuram’s release, I had shifted to Chennai with the ambition of becoming a composer and was adapting to the city. That film, made by newcomers, influenced me a lot and the song Kangal Irandal played a major part in my life. Ten years later, I feel blessed to have composed music for the person who inspired me back then.”

The composer feels that Asuravadham is the trickiest film he has done so far. “All my previous films have been light-hearted entertainers. I haven’t worked in any action films like this before. Though it is an action thriller, the film is more about the emotions involved in it. It is undoubtedly the heaviest film, I’ve composed for. Every single emotion in Asuravadham is very intense. Be it rage or sadness, everything about the film is hard-hitting and I had to give the right kind of musical treatment to convey the emotions. It was quite a challenge,” he says, adding, “The film doesn’t have folk music elements like Sasikumar sir’s previous films. I’ve given it a complete urban treatment and the background score will be a mix of world music, rock and Indian emotional music.”

Asked about the difference between live music and composing for films, he says, “They are poles apart. Live music is all about the moment; you can change the music according to the crowd’s mindset. I guess that’s why its rightly called independent music. But when it comes to films all the musical elements have to align with the script and the narration.”

Govind also has Seethakathi and 96 in the pipeline. “I’ve completed composing the songs for both films and am halfway through the background scores. Seethakathi is something the audience have never seen on screen. It will be on a whole new level. On the other hand, 96 is an intense love story on the lines of Notebook. I personally feel it is one of the best performances by Trisha.”

The 100 Days of Love composer, surprises us by revealing that he got a chance to act in Mani Ratnam’s Chekka Chivantha Vaanam after playing a cameo role in Bejoy Nambiar’s Solo. “I do not like acting. I acted in Solo because Bejoy is a close friend of mine. Even though I got a chance to act in Mani sir’s CCV, I wasn’t able to accommodate the film’s schedule as I was stuck in South Africa for a live concert.”

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