The one and only Dr. Hamsalekha, Nada Brahma, national award winner, lyricist, cherished ‘Desi Exponent,’ and music composer for over 400 films was in his best mood on 15 April, after the release of his ‘Kaljiga’ (Kannada and Tulu film – Tulu for the first time in his career of over four decades) poster, and spoke on various topics.
Here are the excerpts of Dr. Hamsalekha’s chat with media persons at SRV Theater on Monday afternoon.
The AI technology is the greatest enemy to mankind. This is what Stephen Hawking also felt, and I have understood over the last few years that we should not touch it. I am aware of the dangers. It cannot compete with the best emotions. The only thing is that we should not worry much about it. We should have another Great Wall of China and put the scientists of the world for 300 years – the universe will be safe from artificiality.
My long-cherished ‘Desi School’ that ran for 18 years and produced hundreds of students is closed. We started Hindustani style B music, and M music, but students never continued after PU studies in the Desi School. Now my only pet is ‘Idani Music’ – which is global in its reach and producing good revenue too. Hundreds of students who passed out from Desi School are well settled and earn not less than Rs. 40,000 per month.
Hamsalekha stopped scoring music of late. That is because of various aspects. I was working in the wrestling house and doing orchestra. I intended to make film music with my own money. But I got a royal entry from crazy star V Ravichandran. There was no need to go somewhere only or ask someone for a chance. The masters took me along the straight road. After that, I got an opportunity to work in the movies of big actors, including the Dr. Rajkumar camp.
The heroes started for what they called home. There was a situation where he needed to work, which meant he had to go home and talk and listen to what he had to say. It’s all very difficult for me. So, I decided to do something else, so I cut down on composing music for films.
If I am in command, they will falter. If I bend, the quality of the work will suffer. Long ago it was Varadappa who taught me the importance of your words and your sound. For me, Music is Honey, Music is Money, and Music is Many.
I used to give songs as soon as some people came. They didn’t like that. They were expecting a lot of hard work. I used to listen to whatever trendy songs the boys listened to. When they say they want something like this, I know what they want.
They did not have proper homework. They would not have liked it if the work was done sooner. All this did not suit me. I have thoroughly enjoyed music for so long.
I am working on the ‘PREAMBLE’ of the Indian Constitution. Justice Nagmohan Das often talks on the phone. There are songs about Ramayana, Mahabharata. They used to ask whether the Constitution should be made into a song. One day I saw the Preamble. It is in rhythm. Dr. Ambedkar was an exponent of the violin. He was also a good painter. He was an expert in palmistry. The right hand works a lot when it comes to playing the violin. Similarly, the right hand should be used for painting. He tried for two years. For the right hand, pain started. Should this be used for the violin and brush? Or use it for writing? When the thought came, he grabbed a pen. He started writing. If you look at the Preamble, it comes to all the rhythms. It is written for ‘On the Beat.’ The preamble is rhythmic. It was done and presented in Mysore. Everyone appreciated. The question was how to sing a solo instead of a chorus. So, I am doing this song with a guitar collaboration.
It’s very difficult to make a living these days from music. Now it takes three lakhs to make a song. We used to do that song earlier for 25 thousand. Here only editing has increased, and creativity is decreasing. Two hours for a song are taking more time as the song versions and additions happen at different places.
I got a few offers from other languages as well. There are many people like us. Why go there and compete? Some music directors charge Rs. 5 crore for a movie as they have hero support. But, there is a big world of marketing and promotion. I don’t want to get caught up in it.
I am at the direction of a movie and soon it will be announced. Before this, ‘Shakunthle’ was supposed to happen. The movie ‘Shakunthalam’ started in Telugu. Then we started thinking whether we should do it or not. Our movie has nothing to do with them. However, for some reason, I told the producer and stopped it. Now I have decided to make a movie. Funding and execution are from my team.
I am against ‘Paada Pooje’ for me. I did not find Dr. Rajkumar getting such respect. At one time of Sarigamapa all were on the one side to do Paada Pooja for me because in other places Dr. Yesudas and Dr. SPB were felicitated like that. I said a strict no to it.
My livelihood today is from reality shows of music. From IPRS, I am getting 20 times more. In music reality shows, we cannot avoid the film music. It has been the main trump card.
I know that my ‘Yajamansru’ V Ravichandran is working on 24 songs for a movie. He invited me to inform him about his pattern. He is going with the help of AI technology. There were no suggestions from my side.
