IPRS is elated to present a delightful conversation with one of India’s award winning and prolific Telugu songwriter Chandrabose. With “Nattu Naatu” his international chartbuster from RRR netting him the Academy and Golden Globe awards, Chandrabose symbolizes the arrival of the Indian lyricist on the global platform.
With a career spanning 3 decades, how have you kept yourself going and where do you find the creative energy to be so prolific and maintain your high standards as a writer?
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There have been a few simple but important habits that have helped me stay creative. Regularly immersing myself in a diverse range of books; Traveling to new places, conversing with locals, learning about their habits and culture helps open up new viewpoints for me. My spiritual devotion that involves me regularly engaging in prayer, seeking strength and receiving blessings from the divine is, I believe, largely instrumental in enabling me to craft beautiful lyrics. My curious nature and eagerness to learn new things have also helped me innovate throughout my 30-year career.
Given the fact that you are an accomplished singer you must be writing your poetry set to music when you write. Can you throw some light on your writing process?
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Being a singer to begin with, I quickly grasp tunes and figure out the beauty and sweetness in the tune and immerse myself in the situation. I see that, when written, the words enhance the sweetness of the tune. I sing the written words to see if they sound beautiful and also consider if there have been any songs written for such a situation before. If so, how were they written, how can I write something new, appealing and resonant with the current generation. Both the emotion and the language of the song are equally important. The language must be easily understood by the general public and be in common use, maintaining simplicity. Even though complex language might be used occasionally as needed, mostly I ensure that the language is simple and easy to understand. Because no matter how profound the emotion is, the medium that carries it is the language.
You have written lyrics for over 3000 film songs which is phenomenal. Do you prefer writing to a melody or the other way around?
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I am comfortable with writing to a melody, but if asked to write without the restriction of a tune, I certainly will. Emotion and letters came first, followed by melody. Literature is primary, and music serves only to enhance its beauty. It is the lyrics that should lead the context. Where words stop, music begins. One must express an indescribable feeling poetically. It means that it has to come from emotion, from thought. What is emotion and thought but literature? Therefore, literature must come first, with music serving as its decoration, beauty.
Oral traditions Hari Katha, Burra Katha, Chindhu Bhagwatam, have influenced you. Yet, to write chartbusting film music like for Rangasthalam, RRR and Pushpa which is another school of poetry all together is inexplicable. How did you bridge this gap?
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Listening to Harikatha, Burra Katha, Chindu Bhagavatam, and folk songs cultivated my interest in lyrics, literature, and the arts. While my roots are in the modest surroundings of my village, it is the books I read in our village library, the movie songs I heard, and the rural ambiance that shaped my affinity for quality literature. This is the base to my interest in literature. My rural background, my upbringing, and the life I observed have all contributed to my ability to create meaningful lyrics.
Can you tell us the story of the making of your song O Antava? Writing from a female point of view about the male gaze must have taken some doing? How did you go about writing it?
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This artistic creation is not only significant in Telugu cinema history but also stands out in the broader context of Indian cinema. It is not just a romantic melody; it is a unique composition with a special place in the world of cinema.This song received a special global recognition on YouTube Shorts, it holds a distinct position, occupying global top spot for 8 consecutive months. The accolades and successes garnered by this song are unparalleled in my career. The approach, depth, and intensity depicted in this song are a testament to its lyrical brilliance. Reflecting on its origins, the inspiration for “”Oo Antava”” stemmed from the special, innovative, and quirky songs I crafted exclusively for Sukumar garu, such as “Ringa Ringa”,”Diyaalo Diyaala,”, “London Babu” and “Jigelu Rani”.Each of these songs encapsulates a unique story within its lyrics.Choosing words carefully to enhance the aesthetic beauty of the lyrics, we focused on the narrative style, emphasizing that a song should always convey a story. The first version was conceptualized as “”Vankara Buddhi, Maga Buddhi,”” with its essence captured in the subsequent version, ensuring that the magic of “”Oo Antava”” reverberates even more in the hearts of the audience.
Does a situation inspire you to pick up the pen or do you write even while not writing to a tune? Can you give us such examples?
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The song “Enta Sakkagunnave” from the movie “Rangasthalam” was written without a predefined tune. Similarly, in “R R R,” the lyrics of “Natu Natu” and in “Pushpa,” the lines “Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava” were written before the tune was composed. My recent songs like “Ettukellipovaalanipisthundi” ,”Dummu Dukkadam,” and “Seesa Moota Ippu” also had lyrics crafted prior to the melody. When I hear the context, a word or a poetic connection naturally comes to me. As I can sing decent enough, I write lyrics with a rhythm and hum it to help me convey the mood, the music directors then compose the actual tune and make it a song.
You have been the recipient of a stream of awards from critics to Filmfare to National and International awards. How important are awards in the life of a creator?
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Awards in life stand as a definite recognition of our efforts. Many aspire to attain them and strive for decades. Their significance is evident. While we were still searching for awards at the national level, getting international awards within a short span is a significant achievement for me. Awards like the Oscars and Golden Globes, recognized globally, are the ultimate dreams for many artists. I have been the recipient of four prestigious awards in a span of two months. While awards may not directly impact the value of our songs, they undoubtedly add prestige. It’s fulfilling to witness the transformation in the perception of a lyricist’s work after receiving esteemed awards. Such experiences inspire us to create even more meaningful and purposeful songs.
How has the vocabulary you use for your film lyrics changed over the period of your career? Do you see this as a positive change in terms of literary value? How should a film lyric writer adapt to these developments?
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Language undergoes transformations, which are inevitable & should be welcomed. We must move forward by aligning with the changes rather than resisting them. Changes in language bring in various elements like new words, expressions, styles, and influences of the times. It introduces purity, elegance, and sometimes, impurities and corruptions. Both good and bad aspects flow through this evolving stream of life. Just as life moves forward, we should always progress, never hesitating to embrace or incorporate the language of the era. We should align our expressions and emotions with the language in use. We should not attempt to change the language as it undergoes transformations on its own. We should express our emotions in Lyrics in harmony with the language of the present generation. This alignment connects naturally with the masses instantly.
How do you see the Digital Age change the scenario for the Indian lyricist in general? Please tell us about the change in terms of opportunities and challenges for a lyric writer of today?
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The method of creation remains the same, but there have been significant changes in the way it is consumed. Instead of writing songs on paper as before, I now write on digital devices. The traditional way of writing songs has seen little change but in terms of consumption, platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and Wynk etc. have become major mediums making songs more accessible to people than ever before.
When it comes to challenges in lyric writing, every song is a challenge on its own. Movies and situations today, are unique, and need the writer to come up with unique expressions. We need to give our best irrespective of the budget or the movie canvas. Songs from smaller movies often becomes chartbusters. I still receive good royalties for the songs like “Neeli Neeli aakaasam”, “Madhuraa nagarilo” etc. which showcased new actors and went on to become major hits.
