Poornachandra Tejaswi's journey is often associated with Lucia, the film that introduced audiences to his distinctive musical sensibilities. More than a decade and over 20 films later, the composer continues to seek new ways of telling stories through music. Gramayana, the upcoming Vinay Rajkumar-starrer directed by Devanuru Chandru and produced by Naveen Manohar under the Lahari Films banner, offered him precisely such an opportunity.
Talking about Gramayana, Poornachandra began, that was never going to be another village drama wrapped in predictable folk tunes. “The story is set around 2006-07 and unfolds in a village, but it also carries a strong political message,” says Poornachandra. “When Chandru and I discussed the music, I didn't want the usual folklore template. Instead, I experimented with a hybrid folk sound that felt rooted yet contemporary. That freshness formed the film's identity. Overall, it feels new while still belonging to the world of Gramayana.”
Set for release on July 3, Gramayana stars Megha Shetty as the female lead, with Amritha Aiyer playing a key role. Chandru describes the film as a celebration of rural roots, culture, and the spirit of village life. Producer Naveen Manohar, meanwhile, believes the soundtrack is among the film's strongest assets. “The film has a handful of melodious songs that beautifully complement the narrative,” he says.
The soundtrack eventually settled at seven songs from nine. “Initially, there was a requirement for nine songs, but I felt seven worked better for the narrative,” says Poornachandra. “Every song serves the theme. We have a nostalgic remix of 'Benki', a quirky love track with different emotional shades. The response so far has been encouraging.”
Looking back, Poornachandra feels the industry has changed dramatically since Lucia. “Back then, the focus was simply on creating good songs. Today, music comes with many expectations. Songs need to clock millions of views, and there is constant pressure around the pan-India market.”
That pressure, he admits, has made originality harder to protect. “The challenge today is preserving the essence of music. Over the last few years, the process has become more complicated. Sometimes the requirements can become frustrating because the conversation shifts from music to numbers.”
Although he agrees that views are recognition, he has doubts over a song's organic appeal. “Views bring acknowledgement, but I am not sure how organic every hit is these days. Marketing plays a huge role. Ultimately, audiences decide whether they connect with a film. Music is the first invitation to the audience.”
Twelve years into the industry, Poornachandra says the pressure has not disappeared. “With every project, there is always the fear of whether the music will work. Can we please the ear? That's the question. But I still enjoy the process. If even one person tells me they loved a song, that makes me happiest.”
For Gramayana, that passion extended beyond the songs. “Usually, the background score depends entirely on the story, but I enjoyed the freedom to explore with Gramayana," he signs off.