Desi Beats, Folk Singers: Natural And Rooted

Tollywood has many professional singers and they beautify songs with their professional singing. However, of late, filmmakers are trying to rope in folk singers to get the pronunciation right and give the realistic feel to the listeners.

In Stylish Star Allu Arjun’s Ala Vaikunthapurramloo directed by Trivikram Srinivas, the film has a peppy number with Srikakulam song crooned by an artist hailing from Srikakulam region.

This is not a one-off incident. Even the makers of Rajinikanth's Darbar and Palasa 1978 got singers from the same communities to generate interest.

Speaking about Ala Vaikunthapuramlo folk song, music director Thaman said that it was Trivikram Srinivas' idea to rope in a folk singer from Srikakulam. He said they wanted to keep the song natural and rooted.

Thaman explaining the difference the folk singer can bring, he said the folk singer's expressions will come straight from the heart and the song turns out to be genuine, rooted and honest. He said the folk singers also can bring subtle variations in folk songs which is not possible for the professionals.

Director Karuna Kumar who roped in folk singer Asirayya for his film Palasa 1978 said it was a challenge to get the music for the political drama set in the 70s. Music director Raghu Kunche said he believed that Asirayya from Palasa would do justice to the song as his friend shared him the video of him singing in a train.

Asirayya has over 50 years of experience in Jhumku, a rhythm-based instrument he plays in trains. The song has lyrics "Bugatha... yinu yenu... sebutha yinu yinu" is written by Asirayya.

Rajinikanth's Darbar makers sprang a surprise when Murugadoss roped in transgender brand Spice Girls for a song. Rachana, Priya, and Chandramukhi hail from Hyderabad and they sing at gender rights seminars and conferences.

The makers revealed that one of the songs in Darbar has a situation where the heroics of Rajinikanth as a cop is described by transgenders and to get the realistic feel, the makers roped in transgenders.