Tuesday, February 14, 2012

10 Years

14 February 2002. The day Kannathil Muthamittaal released. 10 Years of being a playback singer. Despite several hurdles.
Thank you Rahman sir for the god-awesome break. Thank you for your blessings through these years. I have looked upon you as a Guru.
Thank you Mani Ratnam sir for retaining my voice. Grateful that the first ever song I sang were Vairamuthu Sir's lines.
To Mani Sir and Priya V and Dhina Sir for making me sing the title track of Anbulla Snehidiye introducing me to a wide audience before Kannathil Muthamittal released though KMI was recorded first.
OrU Deivam was the best ever break one could ask for in films. It was a prayer answered. A wish fulfilled. A dream come true. Though I guess I recorded the song sometime in December 2000 and subsequently in May 2001, the release is what marks the entry of an artiste in films.
If that break didn't happen nothing else would have followed. At a time when I thought I was going to be written off, I got a second break of sorts with Sahana and for that I am grateful to AR sir and Shankar sir.
To Harris sir for his kindness and for giving me a chance to sing a composition like Varayo that led me to win almost all the awards in 2010.
Raja sir for his kindness in giving me an amazing opportunity to sing in his concert in Italy, at one of the oldest and best opera houses in Modena, though I hadn't sung for him in films at all except the short Engu Pirandhadhu, which incidentally happened after this concert. It was an experience to cherish.
To Paul Jacob, for whom I faced a studio mic for the first time for a jingle.
To S A Rajkumar sir, Dheva sir - who has probably given me the most number of songs in all this while and Srikanth Deva sir, Imman, Ramesh Vinayagam anna, Dhina sir, Selvaganesh ji, Bharadwaj sir, Vidyasagar sir, G V Prakash, Taj Noor, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Bhavatharini, Premgi Amaran, Sathya C, Ghibran, Joshua Sridhar, Fen Viallee, Devi Sri Prasad, Mr. James Vasanthan, M Jayachandran ji, Ouseppachan sir, Mr Samson, Sri Chinna, Sadhu Kokila ji, Mithoon and every composer who has thought of me and allowed me to be the voice of their creation.
I hope I will not be in soup if I have failed to mention a composer's name. If I have, I shall stand corrected and humbly request pardon.
Grateful to the print/TV/Radio media (presenters on TV and radio) for writing/speaking about me.
Grateful to the sound engineers that make me sound good, the musicians who have played for me at various concerts.
Thankful to the artiste coordinators and PROs.
Grateful to Mr Krishna who took the risk and invested the time in giving me the opportunity in dubbing. To Mr Gautham Vasudev Menon thanks to whom I got the first Nandi award for Ye Maaya Chesave and my debut in Telugu and Hindi through YMC and Ek Deewana Tha.
SICADU the dubbing Union and the musicians Union for their understanding and support.
To Neelambari and Rajkumar for working with me and training me to be a TV show host.
C S Amudhan and Aahaa FM for letting me dabble in hosting on radio.
To everyone who was part of a jury that gave me an award. To audience who voted at various times whenever applicable. To the Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh State Governments for bestowing me with the honour of the State awards.
To my well wishers and those who like my singing.
My mom. From her I was born. From her I learned to sing. And because of her I continue to exist. No mommy. No Chinmayi. No singer called Chinmayi.
God. For being nice. As for the really trying times, I guess I don't know if I should thank you for those, because I still don't see the point and I don't forgive you for a lot of things. But, I still like you. And hope you like me too.
To you having had the patience to read this, thank you.
From an introverted, quiet girl I have come a long way. I have existed as a playback singer because of the kindness of all the composers and directors.
Otherwise, I guess I will continue to keep evolving, learning and improving. With the knowledge and confidence that my mother will guide me through the rights and wrongs and God will stand by us.
I am not sure how many more months/years I will continue to get opportunities as a playback singer, in this day and age and I am grateful for every single day, every single opportunity.
Thank you.
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

38 comments:

Ezhil said...

Congrats and good luck for your successful future

Raji said...

Best wishes Chinmayee!

Anusha said...

Congrats Chinmayi. May you continue to succeed in whatever you do and may all your wishes and dreams come true. Wish you the very best in life.

Praveen said...

Being thankful is one of the greatest virtues we need to practice every day of our lives , this is a testimony to that :)

"Be generous in prosperity and thankful in adversity" - Baha'i writings.

Sudha Subramanian said...

My best wishes Chinmayi! Btw, I always wanted to ask, if that song from Sivaji starts with 'Sahaana' or is it 'Sahaara'? I have always wondered what 'sahana' has to do with 'saaral thoorudho or poo poothadho' as the lyrics go in the song! I might not be correct, just a curiosity, though!

Meow said...

Congratulations Chinmayi :D We love your voice so much. :)

Lakshmipathy said...

Excellent way to express the Gratitude.

ROHAN said...

Well I really consider myself lucky for writing the 1st comment.

I am a big big fan of yours. I started listening to Tanil songs only in 2005 so the 1st song of yours I hears was Sahana, which like many other people I dint believe u have sung, unless u came on the stage and sang it.

Not only that many songs of urs like Anbil Avan,Mainaave Mainaave, Varayo Varayo, Avaram Poo, Lesa Parakkudhu, Mayya Mayya & Aruyire (Guru)and many in the pipeline are my favourite songs. I watched Airtel Super Singer; Chote Ustaad because of U.
Also ur dubbing, OMG!!! I get mad when i listen to ur voice specially in Sillunu Oru kadhal *KALLA VOTE ELLAM ONNUM ILLA*, also in VTV, YMC, Unnale Unnale, Theeradha vilayattu Pillai, Vaaranam 1000. U were Brilliant.
I am a huge huge fan of urs. Hoping to see u on TV more. May God bless u with all the success and u should sing for fans like me around the world.

Keep Singing (& Dubbing)!!!!!!!!!!

Ashwin S Kumar said...

Congratulations on this milestone! :) Wishing you many more years of success & glory!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Chinmayi and we wish you many, many wonderful years ahead......
Take care,
Sudhaharini.

Ramesh said...

Oru Deivam Thantha Poovae.... GOD Bless.

Shoba Shrinivasan said...

Wow Chin,

That was a lovely way to say Grace. I remember that lovely song you sang Anbulla Snehidiyae..it was lovely and so refreshing. Also then followed uyour lovely voice in Kanathil Muthamittal. and loved it again and again in so many movies. I was awestruck by the way you rendered Maiya Maiya,..it was amazing! I used to read your foodie column in Chennai online....long long ago....you have come a long way Chin.,..

Shobha

Bleeding words said...

Hi Chinmayi

Happy it has been ten years now since KM. Very happy for you. Wishing you to sustain in this industry for a very long time.

All the very best.

Priyaa

Manivannan Vangalur S said...

Congratulations, Good luck and godspeed.

Kavitha said...

Chinmayi,

Congrats and Godspeed for the future!

Admiring you as always :)

Kothai said...

Congrats on completing 10 yrs. I can feel ur mood atleast a bit thru this post which is quick rewind of 10 yrs journey. I remembered a saying - "Life isnt fair but it is still gud".

Each n every word 'thanks' shows ur gratitude for those who helped u to be here today. But for me every letter and every syllable echoes ur mom's efforts. God bless u both :)

Luv u loads..

Kalyan said...

Congrats. Wishing you wonderful times ahead

Avinash said...

Mam all the best for your future endeavors.

Cosmic Voices said...

Nice Thanksgiving!!!

" As for the really trying times, I guess I don't know if I should thank you for those, because I still don't see the point and I don't forgive you for a lot of things. But, I still like you. And hope you like me too."

Just :)

Madhuram said...

Congratulations Chinmayi. I heard the sara sara song only recently and was really floored by the composition and your voice. That's my new favorite of yours. I like it even better than aska laska. Patchi solludhu, national award kidaikka pogudhunu andha paatukku. All the very best for all your future endeavors.

praveen said...

Best wishes and hope you to continue to give more good songs and continue your music journey all around the world!!!!! All the best

Anonymous said...

congrats ! wish u all success ! keep singing.

morphine said...

that's a long list to thank about ..all the best in anything and everything you do .. its pretty rare to see women like you .. may god bless you enormously ..big fan

pawan said...

After all this, I would like to thank you for giving us a chance to hear to such a soothing voice as yours..and also giving us a multifaceted extremely versatile role model to look up on, you have a long way to go chinmayi, gud luck!:)

Ivan Saranraj said...

வாழ்த்துக்கள் அக்கா..... இன்னும் பல சாதனைகள் செய்ய என் மனமார்ந்த வாழ்த்துக்கள்........

Yamini said...

Chinmayi - your voice is god's gift to mankind. there is peace and in a way divinity in your voice. Please keep the songs coming. Good luck!

பிரியமுடன்... said...

Read 10 times, write this time! I'm impressed by the following lines God ~ But, I still like you, And hope u like me too! That's what he is still within u(yes) May God bless u for much more brighter life🙏👍

பிரியமுடன்... said...

Read 10 times, writing dis time! I'm impressed by d following lines! God~ But, I still like you, And hope you too like me! You don't need to knock d doors to get blessing from him! U r going to get much m more fortune by his blessing👍 God is Great 🙏 We too pray for your good health n wealth! Shining Singer Chimayi live long👏👏

priyamvadha said...

WELL ITS NICE TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED 10 YEARS...with hordes of playback singers entering the arena every other day its commendable that you have carved a niche for yourself. I am glad for your achievements and would like to wish you a succesful future as well. Hope i get to see you even more cheerful and a better singer:) i am much younger to you but still God Bless Akka:)

Unknown said...

Many Congratulations Chinmayi!! Extending my best wishes for your future endeavours...God Bless! :)

Maddy said...

"I am not sure how many more months/years I will continue to get opportunities as a playback singer, in this day and age and I am grateful for every single day, every single opportunity."

As you said, in this ever demanding,very competitive world..You made a indelible mark for yourselves. Its because of your Mom and the GOD who kept you at the right place and at the right time.

Wishing you Many many many years of Singing.

Ajith J said...

Congratz chinmayi :) i love ur voice <3

Anonymous said...

My hearty congratulations to you Chinmayi. Continue your wonderful deeds. You r the only one, who come to every conversation between me& God without my permission. You are always welcome:) Be an inspiration to all of us forever.A Very Happy Woman's Day to you(Great Woman).BTW I love that Baha'i writing which someone posted on your wall. APB

Anonymous said...

Very disappointing to know that you believe in God. Please understand that there is no God.

Anand said...

wow awesome i feel proud & happy to be your fan

Kamalraj said...

" At a time when I thought I was going to be written off" - For we the fans, it never looked like so. When we ask why aren't there many Chimayi's songs, we said to our self; she have reached Higher levels, that the Music directors will only approach her for their best creations and only the best creators can approach her. Same like Mr.Jesudas.
Great to see the other side of story.
You are such a positive inspiration for Kids and specially Girls IMO. Keep on rocking.
Nobody would believe you were a quite introvert girl once,seeing your activities and intellect in social media.
Cheers.
Kamaal.

Senthamizh Selvan said...

We are very proud of you...

Anonymous said...

Which means I started to listen to u when I was 12yrs....I heard oru deivam thantha poove the first time for ARR sir,but after hearing it ones, I heard it again and again for your beautiful voice...After a few years again the newspaper read aloud me that u r multi-faceted who not only sings but also dubs & is a mahout who runs blue elephants...a little bit of google,wiki landed me to your "what to name it"-that's it I believe may be after yet another 10-20yrs the industry will still have your name on its tags...lots of love and wishes to you,tc
Sriram.