Sajith, a mizhavu artist, still cannot believe he had been part of an incredible musical harmony initiated by Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman. The project conceived by Rahman introduces some of the traditional musical instruments of India, including the traditional percussion instrument mizhavu to the world.
Kalamandalam Sajith, hailing from the Nettisserry hamlet in Thrissur, shares his experiences of playing music alongside the legendary musician himself.
Musical ‘Harmony’
“The series 'Harmony with AR Rahman' was a musical journey; or rather it could be called a musical documentary. It is in five parts and the first one is about mizhavu representing Kerala. The second part is about rudra veena and noted artist Bahauddin Dagar plays it along with Rahman. Lourembam Bedabati Devi joins in with a Manipuri folk song in the third part, while Mikma Tesharing Tapcha plays the flute enchantingly in the fourth part. In the final segment, all of us join AR Rahman in a mesmerising musical medley or harmony with the mizhavu, rudra veena, Manipuri song and the flute,” says Sajith about the musical legend’s ambitious project.
Sajith says that the filming of the final segment, which is a fusion, was done at Rahman’s YM Studios at Chennai. He added that the entire orchestra of Rahman’s had taken part in the filming of that segment.
Sajith and the rest of the artists who are featured in the project were invited to Rahman’s studio in Chennai in January this year, for the filming of the video.
How it all began
The artist says that it was Gopalakrishnan, the former director of the Koodiyattom Kendra in Thiruvananthapuram, who hinted about such a project. Sajith says, “Gopalakrishnan told that someone would come to meet me to do a documentary on mizhavu. Later a woman came, spoke to me and took down notes about mizhavu and my life as an artist. I seldom realised it was such a huge project then.”
A month later Shruthi Subramaniam, its director and Virat Singh, the cinematographer came down to Kalamandalam to film a few scenes which primarily depicted how Sajith’s life was connected tomizhavu. “Even when they shot my scenes I didn’t have much knowledge about the project. I didn’t even know Rahman was in it until they told me the next portion would be shot along with Rahman. However, I had no idea when or where that would take place,” confesses the mizhavu artist.
“Mizhavu is traditionally played on the background of a koodiyattom performance. But this was a totally unique experience. He truly displayed how mizhavu, an accompanying percussion instrument, could be transformed into a musical instrument,” Sajith reveals.
Stunned to see the ‘Mozart’
The segment which features mizhavu was shot in three portions and Rahman himself had accompanied the crew when they met Sajith the next time. “One day they informed me to reach Kalamandalam by 6 am. It was only then they gave me a clearer picture about the project. However, they too didn’t know what Rahman had in mind. So he reached Kalamandalam where we shot for two days. To say the truth I was stunned to see him. He asked me to play my favourite rhythm on mizhavu, and I played four rhythms. He then experimented a bit with those rhythms using his musical instruments. On the second day, both of us were filmed in the beautiful backdrop of the Dhoni woods in Palakkad. I played a rhythm on my mizhavu and he composed it musically,” says Sajith who can’t hide his excitement.
Sajith confesses that he deems it extremely fortunate to have gained the opportunity to play music alongside a stalwart like Rahman. He vouches that the musical maestro is simple in his ways without having the airs of a well-known musician. “He behaves and speaks as if we have known each other for so long. He has no prejudices, and neither did he underestimate us. He would in fact ask for suggestions from us,” Sajith has nothing but praise for the legendary musician. He continues, “Rahman would compose what we are able to play on our instruments. Some notes and ideas come to him on the spur of the moment. I believe I did my part without causing much trouble for him.”
“I am a simpleton who plays mizhavu in the background for nangyarkoothu or koodiyattom performances. Other than that and teaching a few students at Kalamandalam, I lead a very normal and ordinary life. I haven’t even dreamt of being a part of such an amazing project like this. It indeed was a serendipitous coincidence,” adds Sajith
Sajith admits that he was in awe when he walked into Rahman’s studio in Chennai and still can’t hide his excitement when he talks about the musician’s incredible orchestra. He says, “When Rahman came to Kalamandalam, I was not allowed to meet him initially. When I expressed my wish to meet him in person, they told I could see him only when they filmed the shots. It was only later that I realised that they wanted to film our candid facial expressions like wonder and awe when we actually met him.”
Prized souvenir
“I haven’t met him since we filmed the last segment on the sets in Chennai. After the filming, he sent me and my disciples, shirt and mundu as gift. So I had the good fortune to receive a gift too from Rahman,” smiles Sajith.
