Berny, the younger of the Berny-Ignatius brothers who have composed treasured Malayalam movie hits, joins us on Radio Mango Chat Room, hosted by RJ Kavitha. A man of many talents, he also serenades us with his harmonica, playing the songs we grew up listening to! He discusses his career, working with legendary directors like Lal Jose, Priyadarshan, and much more in the latest episode of Chat Room!
00:00 - Intro
00:10 - How music for Chandralekha eventually became the iconic song of Kalyanaraman
00:50 - The accidental tune of ‘Kadhayile Raajakumaariyum’
01:50 - How Lal changed the situation of the movie just to incorporate the gem of a song - ‘Kadhayile Raajakumaariyum’
02:16 - Lal and Shafi are confused between two compositions by Berny Ignatius
03:22 - Kaithapram’s original lyrics for ‘Kadhayile Raajakumaariyum’
04:15 - Kaithapram’s dedication to making the lyrics right for ‘Kadhayile Raajakumaariyum’
04:46 - Berny recollects his blessed musical journey… from working with Kaithapram to Gaanagandharvan Yesudas to Janaki Amma…
05:09 - Lyrics are the soul of music, not just the tune
05:14 - Making of ‘Onnaam Mala Keri’
05:36 - Lal composed ‘Onnaam Mala Keri’ and directed its making
06:10 - Lal and Shafi were adamant about the usage of only kitchen utensils for the making of the song ‘Onnaam Mala Keri’
07:00 - Berny Ignatius about ‘Aayiram Kannumaayi’
07:35 - Process of creating music like ‘Makkasai Makkaasai’
08:05 - The biggest compliment from Raveendran Master
09:22 - ‘Thamarapoovil’ from Chandralekha was made within a day!
09:28 - MG Sreekumar is a genius!
09:49 - Priyadarshan’s brief for Chandralekha’s music and how MG Sreekumar left Mohanlal speechless
10:39 - From Chennai to Kochi, how these hubs are for cinema and music
11:31 - From classical to Hindustani, Berny explains how every music enthusiast should follow music by quoting O. N. V. Kurup
12:07 - How today’s Malayalam music is of International level
12:12 - How Western music influenced our Indian maestros like A. R. Rahman and Ilaiyaraaja
12:28 - How incorporation of Raagas can be beneficial
12:50 - Berny names his students - Kailas Menon, Nithya Mammen, Anju Joseph and many more
13:10 - From Sushin Shyam to Vishnu Vijay and Rex Vijayan, Berny mentions his current favourites - Manjummel Boys, Kumbalangi Nights, Aaradhike, Premalu, Bijubal, Gopi Sundar, Jakes Bejoy, etc.
13:30 - Berny in praise of Rex Vijayan’s composition for Rifle Club
13:39 - Berny on working with son Tansen
14:12 - Berny on collaborating with ‘Oru Vadakkan Therottam’
15:00 - Berny’s full family will be involved in the music of ‘Oru Vadakkan Therottam’ - with sons Tansen and Keerthi, and daughter Serin
16:20 - Creative Dilemma: Dance numbers vs melodies
17:52 - The real brains behind ‘Makkasai Makkaasai’
18:27 - How Nadirshah and Kalabhavan Mani gave life to ‘Makkasai Makkaasai’
19:35 - How Gireesh Puthenchery refused to write gibberish for ‘Appukutta Thoppikkara’
20:05 - How Berny convinced director Shafi for Pulival Kalyanam
21:30 - How ‘Thechi Poove’ from ‘Ratholsavam’ was composed
22:31 - Berny plays Mazhathullikal
23:27 - The story behind ‘Kallipoonkuyile’
24:28 - What ‘Kallipoonkuyile’ originally sounded like
25:45 - How Gireesh Puthenchery changed Kallipoonkuyile forever
27:08 - ‘Mayilaai Parannu Vaa’ from ‘Mayilpeelikkavu’ was composed in seconds!
28:00 - Recollecting working with brother Ignatius
31:00 - Ending on a high note with a beautiful performance of ‘Mayilaai Parannu Vaa’ from ‘Mayilpeelikkavu’
#RadioMango #Berny #BernyIgnatius #Music #Composer #Vettam #MalaylamMovie #malayalaminterviews #malayalampodcast #HappinessOnAir #OrangeIsHappiness
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