iPremZ
23rd October 2010, 08:15 AM
The immensely talented but grossly underrated MADHU BALAKRISHNAN has finally been noticed by Tamil audiences, thanks to his winning the inaugural Sun TV reality show, Sangeetha Maha Yutham. Hurray!!!
Madhu's strong classical foundation and deep baritones are clear assets and he has been well utilised by Vidhyasagar and Illaiyaraja, most recently in the soul-stirring "Pichai pathiram" (Naan Kadavul).
But Madhu's weakness -- if at all it can be called that -- seems to lie in his very strength too. Most producers and MDs probably think his voice is not suitable for soft romantic numbers for young heroes. However, Madhu has been able to modulate his voice beyond recongition when he sings romantic numbers that many people may be oblivious of his versatility. Check out his "Atrai thingal vaanileh" (Sivapathigaram) and "Sollitharavaa" (Majaa). These are just two examples of his amazing talents.
I'd like to end by highlighting an obscure song ("Thendral ennum thear eari") sung by Madhu in the obscure 2006 movie "Paasa Killigal". The music was composed by the amazing Vidhyasagar in the rare Naasika Bhooshani raga. Madhu's singing is out of this world. His jadhis are really breath-taking. I haven't stopped listening to this song since I first heard it a month ago. Here's a link:
http://mio.to/yio7
Madhu has received a Tamilnadu State award and a Kalaimamani but the national award has eluded him. Plus MDs like AR Rehman, who have introduced lesser talents, haven't noticed him. After listening to the "Thendral ennum thear eari song", I am more and more convinced that this singer hasn't received his due and the film music world is losing out by sidestepping him. Thankfully, Madhu is recognised as one of the top singers in the Malayalam film world.
Madhu's strong classical foundation and deep baritones are clear assets and he has been well utilised by Vidhyasagar and Illaiyaraja, most recently in the soul-stirring "Pichai pathiram" (Naan Kadavul).
But Madhu's weakness -- if at all it can be called that -- seems to lie in his very strength too. Most producers and MDs probably think his voice is not suitable for soft romantic numbers for young heroes. However, Madhu has been able to modulate his voice beyond recongition when he sings romantic numbers that many people may be oblivious of his versatility. Check out his "Atrai thingal vaanileh" (Sivapathigaram) and "Sollitharavaa" (Majaa). These are just two examples of his amazing talents.
I'd like to end by highlighting an obscure song ("Thendral ennum thear eari") sung by Madhu in the obscure 2006 movie "Paasa Killigal". The music was composed by the amazing Vidhyasagar in the rare Naasika Bhooshani raga. Madhu's singing is out of this world. His jadhis are really breath-taking. I haven't stopped listening to this song since I first heard it a month ago. Here's a link:
http://mio.to/yio7
Madhu has received a Tamilnadu State award and a Kalaimamani but the national award has eluded him. Plus MDs like AR Rehman, who have introduced lesser talents, haven't noticed him. After listening to the "Thendral ennum thear eari song", I am more and more convinced that this singer hasn't received his due and the film music world is losing out by sidestepping him. Thankfully, Madhu is recognised as one of the top singers in the Malayalam film world.