From Manjummel Boys to A.R. Rahman: Grammy Dreams and Global Appeal of Indian Music

Recently, I came across an intriguing piece of news: Sushin Shyam, the ‘happening’ Malayalam film music director, is submitting his work for the Grammy Awards for the film Manjummel Boys. This movie was a massive hit in Kerala and neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The music received critical acclaim, and I personally found it captivating.

I first watched the film with a friend, and I remember telling my wife that the music, along with the film, truly elevates the experience. It deserves to be heard in a theatre with proper sound arrangements to be fully appreciated. The music, especially the background scores and the climactic song, leaves a haunting impression that lingers long after leaving the theater. My wife later watched the movie with me and shared the same sentiment.

A few days later, I heard A.R. Rahman mention that there are numerous criteria to meet for a film’s score to be submitted to the Grammys. He had composed music for the Malayalam movie Aadujeevitham, released last year, which was also widely acclaimed. Many wondered why its music wasn’t submitted. Rahman explained that the score’s duration was a few minutes shorter than the Grammy requirement, which was a significant setback. Two standout songs from Aadujeevitham , “ Omane“ and “Periyone,” gained immense popularity. These tracks, though different in genre, evoke profound emotional responses.

“ Omane “ is a love song set against the lush green scenery of Kerala, carrying a feeling of wetness throughout. Listening to it feels like being in the rain or near a water body. The main character of the movie goes abroad to a Gulf country, where he gets stranded in a desert, tending goats after being cheated of a company job. This particular song, where he reminisces about his days back in Kerala, transports listeners from the arid desert landscape to the verdant beauty of Kerala. It The other song, “Periyone,” is an ode to God and is soul-stirring. It plays when the main character prays for relief from his difficult circumstances. Both songs elevate the movie to another level, exemplifying the importance of music.

To be honest, both songs possess a global appeal, transcending traditional Malayalam film music. If they had been eligible, they would have been strong contenders at the Grammys. I believe that winning such awards could have introduced these songs to a broader audience, which they undoubtedly deserve. I hope Sushin Shyam gains some recognition, if not the ultimate prize at the Grammys, for his music in Manjummel Boys, as the songs deserve a larger audience.

This situation reminds me of A.R. Rahman’s Oscar win a few years back. Rahman won two Oscars for the music of Slumdog Millionaire, and the song “Jai Ho” even won the best original song at the Oscars. When the movie won many awards, including Grammy and BAFTAs, I found myself wondering if these were the A R Rahman songs that truly deserved the Oscar. Rahman’s filmography over the last three decades is filled with so many gems, and I feel that “Jai Ho,” which eventually earned him one of the most prestigious international awards, is actually one of his more ordinary songs.

Rahman’s illustrious career, beginning with Roja, is filled with extraordinary compositions that remain fresh even after three decades. I recall a trip to Switzerland in 2017, where I visited Mount Rigi. It wasn’t winter, so snow was scarce, but the mountainous areas, including Mount Rigi, offered a glimpse of snow. I took a funicular train to the top, and as it turned, I saw snow-covered mountains in the distance. It was my first-time seeing snow. Upon reaching the top, I gazed at the snow-capped ranges. Although Mount Rigi itself wasn’t snowy, it was cold and windy. The sight of distant snow brought to mind the song “ Pudhu Vellai Mazhai “ from Roja. In the film, the heroine, sees snow for the first time, and her joy is beautifully captured in the song. Witnessing snow for the first time, I felt the same emotion, and the song’s memory flooded back to me. This is the kind of emotional connection A.R. Rahman’s music creates.

He has produced remarkable work not just in Tamil, with films like Kadhalan, Gentleman, Thiruda Thiruda, Kannathil Muthamittal and Iruvar, but also in Malayalam and Hindi films. His songs for the movies Dil Se and Delhi 6 deserve not just Indian recognition but international acclaim as well. However, I believe these awards often serve as a justification for a person’s career rather than for a particular work. Rahman’s vast repertoire includes thousands of exceptional, vibrant, and soul-stirring songs, though not all receive awards.

Yet, recognition eventually finds its way to the artist, sometimes through a less celebrated song. I hope Rahman continues to receive international accolades for his work, as his contributions merit such recognition.