Sindoori Vishal | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
It has been a day since the first song from actor Vikram starrer ‘Minikki Minikki’ was released. Thangalan The film directed by Pa Ranjith has released. And this is a big moment for Sindhuri Vishal.
Speaking on phone from Hyderabad, the playback singer said, “This song is perhaps the biggest project of my career in Tamil films.” Composed by GV Prakash Kumar, this festive folk song has Sindoori singing with fun, her voice adding energy to Uma Devi’s lyrics. The lyric video accompanying the song shows the film’s lead actors Vikram and Parvathy participating in a celebration of sorts.
A scene from ‘Thangalan’
Sindhuri says the experience of recording the song was like a ‘happy, chill jamming session’ that lasted over an hour.
“A few months ago, I was called to record the song at composer GV Prakash’s studio. At that time, I did not know which film the song was for. I was asked to work on the tone and sing in my chest voice, considering how folky it was,” she recalls. Ranjith and Uma Devi, who were present at the recording, helped her learn the dialect and she says she was asked to bring out the emotion she wanted in her singing.
The song’s hook attracted her, but Sindhuri praised the song for how catchy it is. “It just gets stuck in your mind,” she laughs. Subsequently, she also sang in Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi, all languages in which the film is releasing.
While ‘Minikki Minikki’ may have been her big success in Tamil, Sindhuri is no newcomer to the world of playback singing, having sung over 75 songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Kuttram 23, Oh ManapenAnd more recently, Ratnam, Among the feature songs sung by her, her songs in Telugu have become huge hits. Sindhuri has sung for Sai Pallavi, in which the actor danced to the song ‘Hey Pillagada’ amidst lush green fields. FidaAnd later when she walked on the rain-soaked streets of Kolkata to the song ‘Oh My Lovely Lalana’ Padi Padi Leche Mansu. His melodious voice was also behind the blockbuster film ‘Kanunna Kalyanam’, one of the most famous duets of 2022 Sita RamamThe song is filmed on the lead actors of the film, Dulquer Salmaan and Mrinal Thakur.
“I would like to believe that I have a knack for understanding languages. Even if I don’t speak the language fluently, I am comfortable singing in it,” she says. Trained in Carnatic music from a very young age, Sindhuri says she gradually became familiar with ghazals and also learnt Western classical music. “I love exploring different styles and genres, and am grateful to have sung versatile songs over the past decade. When I walk into the studio to sing, I am excited to be able to bring my own touch to a composition,” says the singer, who credits Chitra, Bombay Jayashree and Hariharan as major influences and inspirations.
Parvati in ‘Thangalan’
Sindhuri, who frequently collaborates with her husband, composer Vishal Chandrasekhar, regrets the misconception that she sings only for him, even though the songs she has sung together have become quite popular. “I hope my song is for him Thangalan It will help me get a break. Though our songs have been really special over the last few years, I am looking forward to making my mark as a singer,” she says. Music was what brought her and Vishal together, and Sindhuri, who is also a music supervisor on their team, says she brings her strong background in Carnatic music and his mastery of Western music to the table when they jam together. “Professionally we are very comfortable with each other, and make sure we don’t interfere in each other’s musical process and decisions,” she adds.
‘Minikki Minikki’ is already one of the top trending songs on YouTube, and this has added to the already growing hype ThangalanSindoori says this year looks promising. “I have some exciting songs coming up, with musicians I admire so much, which I can’t wait to share,” she says.
