'Ilayaraja and AR Rahman are my inspiration'

C V Kumar of Thirukumaran Entertainment, who is known to encourage new talent, has introduced a new music director, Nivas K Prasanna, in his upcoming venture, Thegidi. 

Be it an offbeat script, a new director or an unconventional actor, C V Kumar seems to have the knack of always backing a winner.

This has been proved yet again by Nivas, whose brilliant debut has made the film industry sit up and take notice of this 23-year-old youngster from Tirunelveli.  There is talk of him being the next A R Rahman!

An accomplished piano player and singer, Nivas has spent the last six years working continuously, learning the tricks of the trade from eminent musicians, and waiting for the right opportunity, as he explains in this interview.

You have created quite a sensation with your very first film Thegidi. How does it feel?

I was in the first standard when I decided that I was going to be a music director.  This is something I have spent my life working for, so it feels really great.

But I also believe that a debut project usually turns out to be good because all the thoughts and ideas that have been building up inside you for years together find expression in that one project. You are determined to prove yourself and give it your very best shot.

The challenge is to be able to sustain this for a long time.  I hope I can give my best in all my future projects too.

How did you get this opportunity?

Singer Saindhavi is a very good friend of mine. We have worked together in a couple of albums. Through her I met Santhosh, the head of Think Music.

Santhosh felt that I should try my hand at movies. He suggested my name to a few producers. C V Kumar was one of them.

I met him and played him two of my compositions. Like all producers he said he would call back. Fifteen days later, I got a message from him to meet the director of Thegidi, P Ramesh.

I met Ramesh, we were on the same wavelength, understood each other perfectly and everything fell into place.

Has it been a struggle getting into the film industry?

Working in the film industry has always been my dream, but being pragmatic, I also knew that there was a lot to learn before I actually stepped in.

I was prepared to struggle. It may not have been today, or even this film, but I was sure that it definitely would be some time in the future. 

Thegidi being your debut film, was it a very stressful experience?

A lot is at stake, so yes, it has been stressful at times. There were times when I felt very confident and elated, and times when I felt low and there would be doubts and insecurities.

The film has five songs. Which is your favorite?

I love the song Neeyun Dhinam sung by Andrea.

The others have a more commercial feel, but this one is special, something different.  I feel it will connect with the audience. 

Which was the most challenging?

The songs actually have been relatively easy. It was the film's background score that was the biggest challenge. 

We had a deadline as the release date had already been fixed.  In fact, we wrapped up the entire schedule in just 25 days.

Though I have done my best, I do feel that it could have been a little better.

Was the background music difficult because Thegidi is a thriller?

Irrespective of the genre, I believe that the background score is the toughest part of the film.  It requires a lot of intensity.

Every scene will depict an emotion that has to be lifted and given life through the music.  So it is very important that we get it right, especially in a film like Thegidi.  It sets the mood for the entire film. 

How do you work? Do you have to wait for inspiration?

No, actually, I belong to the category that does very well with deadlines. A time-frame keeps me on my toes and mentally, too, I am prepared.

But it was a bit of a problem because I don't have an assistant or programmers to help me.  I prefer to work on my own ideas myself.

Tell us a bit about your life before you got this opportunity.

I did my schooling in Tirunelveli. I started taking piano lessons when I was in the fifth standard. I have completed Grade 7 with the Trinity College of Music, London.

Basically I am a keyboard player. But I also sing. When I came to Chennai six years ago, I joined a light music troupe as a singer and have performed at various events. Later I worked as a programmer for Srinivasan sir and Rajesh Vaidhya.  I have learnt a lot from them.

For a few seasons, I also worked with Vijay TV's Super Singer.  I had the opportunity to do a few commercials too.

I have worked with several bands and also travelled abroad for concerts.  Thus, over the years, I got to meet a lot of people through my work. Most of the musicians are my friends.  And everyone has helped with the music of my first film.

One musician who inspires you?

Not one, there are so many who inspire me.  I have grown up hearing Raja sir (Ilayaraja) and A R Rahman sir, so they are my biggest inspiration. 

But every musician works in his own distinctive style, so for me every musician is an inspiration.  You can learn different aspects from different people.

Entering an industry with such legends, did you feel intimidated?

You can call it confidence if you like, but I have always felt that if someone has been able to do it, then I too can. 

It is all in the mind.  I believe in myself.  I am doing what comes naturally to me, something I enjoy immensely.

I decided on my career when I was just a child. I am living my dream.

I have never felt intimidated; music inspires me.