June 03, 2012 Y. Sunitha Chowdhary
What is endearing about Raghu Kunche is the space he gives to others and seeks for himself to pursue a passion. We have seen many music directors or singers making their children go through the grind of learning music right from the time they are five years old; Raghu isn't teaching music to his children and says he will not influence them in any manner, "Let them grow and realise what they like and want, I'm there to support them later. Right now it's studies that they should be concentrating on," says the music director of Puri Jagan-Ravi Teja's up and coming movie Devudu Chesina Manushulu.
You've heard him get a Nandi award for a song on recession Enduke Ramanamma from Bumper Offer and now he will be very soon releasing his album Love In New York. He has already made his acting debut in a short film [Edari Varsham] recently but spells out his desire to act in feature films.
The singer, actor, dubbing artiste, anchor and music director from East Godavari in a chat, laments that melodies are disappearing and people are demanding only music, songs that are high on energy, "Film music is based on common sense and it must reach the common man. Ghazals, melodies will go and very soon we will ahve people asking who's Ghantasala. About me, my favourite is Gurthukosthunnayi from Autograph. I keep humming it when I'm at home, it reminds me of my village, my people. There is pain, pathos everything in it."
Ask Raghu why he couldn't muster an impressive repertoire despite being in the television industry and having contacts and he concurs that his list includes a very small 300 songs in a span of ten years. "People from films have a condescending attitude towards thsoe working in television. They have a feeling that television artistes reach and entertain audiences without a ticket. I couldn't learn the art of lobbying and squatting, partying for opportunities which is imperative in a music industry.
Also some music directors do not know what they want, they are confused. Till you go and show your work and samples they will not be in a position to decide. If your debut film is with a small hero you are stuck, what follows is the same old mediocre films and chances.
If it is a big hero movie, the equations change. I struggled a lot to get this chance in Puri Jagan's film, I didn't know the content but took some demo songs to the director and he okayed three out of five. Despite the wrapping of recording of DCM and all the positivity that is surrounding my work there are still people who voiced their doubts if I could really do the background score."
The soft-spoken music director feels the current generation are lucky to have so many opportunities thanks to the music-based shows on the small tube. During his time, without any background in singing he pushed himself to get noticed.
"I was from a small village and there was no one to teach music. I would just listen to songs and hum them, practice while cycling. It's only when I came to Hyderabad I joined the Telugu University to learn music and got my first opportunity as a singer in Bachi by Puri Jagan. I strongly believe if you love something you should relentlessly pursue it, someday you will definitely achieve it. That kind of madness is necessary to make it in this industry.
I was lucky to be financially sound, did dubbing and moved on. I felt no monotony and enjoyed all aspects of working in the music and televsion industry. I hope people love my work in DCM, each of the song belongs to different genres, Subbalakshmi is my favourite number. It will be hit, full of fun and a typical Ravi Teja song."
|
