Saturday, July 06, 2013

Titli - Chennai Express

Sometimes they say that sighting a butterfly is an omen. To me the butterfly came in a song. 

First week of November 2012 and I got a call from Shekhar sir asking me to come and sing for him here, in Chennai. Off I went to Gopi Sunder's studio seriously doubting how I will be able to pull this off, when, that week, and the couple of weeks prior, it was a personally harrowing time. 

I recorded this song with a migraine that was killing me and somehow I hoped that I didn't look too sick and that I would come across as an affable person to work with, inspite of the frowns crinkling my forehead. Shekhar sir dictated the lyrics and taught me the song. I went in and recorded and it was done. Thereafter of course, I had no idea if my version would be retained and left it to the will of the universe, as I always have, with every song that I have sung. As Yesudas sir once said, slightly modifying the popular adage, Gaane gaane ke upar gaanewale ka naam likha hai. The song chooses the singer.

When they released the teaser on last week, there was a mixture of a lot of emotions. Of gratitude mainly and relief.

And then Mr Shah Rukh Khan tweeted this to me
 

At that point, somehow I got so emotional that I bawled. Called up a dear friend (or perhaps she called, I cannot remember now) who was also bawling on the other side and said she was so happy for me. And she said that this is for all that Ma has done for you. And we bawled some more.

Amma wasn't too expressive to me, but she tweeted. 

Shekhar sir invited me to the audio launch on the 3rd July and I landed up. I felt lost initially, though I have attended numerous ones here. Thankfully spotted Jitesh (Pillai) and I heaved a sigh of relief that I finally saw someone I knew. 

Shekhar sir introduced me to SRK and I, for one of the first times, asked him for a picture. He obliged and said he was touched by my mother's tweet and asked me to convey his regards to her. Though the word "mindblown" is soo easily thrown about these days, that's exactly what I felt at that point. One that he read my mom's tweet, two he remembered and three he enquired about her. I said I am humbled and cannot imagine that a superstar of his stature would do all that. 





Deepika was extremely sweet and told me that she loves Titli and yes she obliged with a picture too. 

Post event party, SRK said said he'd like to talk to my mother and I thought it would be one of those polite conversations and I said sure whenever you want. And he said I'd like to talk to her now. Call her. And I did. He took my phone, went off someplace quieter where he could have a conversation for a few minutes and returned. 

I kept telling Shekhar sir (Vishal wasn't present at the launch and I hadn't been able to meet him during the recording session here in Chennai) how grateful I am for the opportunity of a lifetime. 


Sometimes, life gives us gifts. Like the rainbow after a storm. Or like the rain itself through thunder and lightning. And because life is the way it is, the gift is carried by someone. This time round God was kind enough to send it through this song. 

To be able to continue doing what I like doing best, which is singing and to be able to meet some of the most creative, brilliant minds and musicians is the greatest gift that has been accorded to me. And I believe that each song that comes my way is a blessing. And it is impossible to not feel immense gratitude for the people who make it possible.

This time it is for Shekhar sir (and Vishal sir as well). None of the good reviews or the interactions with SRK / Deepika would have been possible but for him.

And of course to the creator. Grateful. And a lot more. But nothing less.




38 comments:

Parthiv Chinnasamy said...

The hurdles you,ve crossed to reach this place are not easier ones! Feeling soooooooo happy for U and exciting!!! May God bless U with more n more happiness! Love You! :)

Anonymous said...

Keep rocking chinmayi!!!

Anusha said...

Congrats Chinmayee. May you get a lot more opportunities like these and many more accolades too.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm! Me too feel the same as Shekarji. "Words always failed me. But I hope u knew that my awkward silences were only trying to say that nobody made me happier than you. #Saavli"....AllzWell & AllzBest!!!

Bhavya M said...

Hey Chinmayi,

Very happy for you.. Could actually travel through your experiences with this post.. Hearty congratulations and wishing you many more such happy moments..

Bhavya M

Natarajan said...

Congrats

Anu said...

:):):)Glad. This is just the beginning.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Chinmayi. So happy for you. God bless you. Keep rocking.

Anonymous said...

Happy about this Chinmayi!

Ananth said...

Great song. It is nice of him to call your mom..the snaps look beautiful! All the best
Ananth

Unknown said...

Very nice song. thanks chinmayi

Unknown said...

Nice song.thanks chinmayi

பவித்ரா said...

hi chin

read al your tweets abt titli and blog seems to be narration of an event which i knew already. Since from d release of the song felt so so so happy for you and amma. You both remain to be my inspiration always. I always see you in my dreams and you sang some carnatic songs for me in my dreams my dear butterfly girl.

Luv to you and amma. Many more flowers yet to cum on your way:) god bless you both my butterfly girlie:)

Maheswari said...

Hello Chinmayi,

Very happy for you....Congrats...

Godspeed good people
Maheswari

Anonymous said...

After reading and knowing about you for the past 2 years, the journey that you went through and going through its really tough. Thanks to God for giving you wonderful opportunities such as 'Titli' showing his grace upon you. May you receive more and more of such gifts in your life. God bless you.

Regards,
Jega Sangaran

Vaibhav said...

Hi Chinmayi,

I will watch the Movie - chennai express, mainly because i liked your Song - Titli so much and It has been shot in a way that gives complete justice to your voice and the emotions the lyrics convey.

Way to go, dear :-) !!

Unknown said...

Wt a songs u hav sung.....no words to explain...

`J` I` S` H` U` said...

''Scatter confetti over the floor, sweep an old year out the door..'' We,Your followers will always be in ur side,no matter what. Looking fwd for more titlis flying around each one of ur fans.. Awesome song with ur mellifluous voice once again..Love you akka..!

Sashi said...

Congratulations Chinmayi! Wish you tons of opportunity & success! Keep penning your wonderful journey and must I must say, I used to listen to your songs, then watched ads for which you have lent your voice,don't miss any of them where your voice is on..though not a vivid reader, I do keep coming back here to read your posts..perhaps similarity of life experiences and to see one so beautifully pen it mesmerizes me...Enjoy every moment..Take Care..Regards,Sashi

Anonymous said...

Awesomeness :-)

ವಿಶ್ವ said...

Great song, beautifully sung.. wish you all the very best ! hope to listen to you in many songs to come :)

Anonymous said...

Its a beautiful rendition, I knew it was you the first time I heard it,like the first time i heard Trisha's voice in VTV trailors. God Bless you.

Vidya said...

Hi Chinmayi,

Loved your rendition in Titli....! I feel so light like a butterfly myself after listening to your song !

And even as I am writing to you, this song is on the Loop mode and listening to it for the nth time!!!

Awesome !!! I just cant stop humming this the song...! Hope that Vishal-ji and Shekhar-ji come up with many more fantabulous songs!!! :-D

Unknown said...

Your voice sounds sweet...listening Titli song all d tym

Supria said...

Hi Chinmayee, I read this post only yesterday and I already can't stop listening to this song! It sounds like magic to my ears.

I don't typically leave comments, but I felt like I had to this time, just to say "Thank you! And keep up the great work :)"

Love
Supria

entertainment desk said...

Hi chinmayi,
what a lovely Voice ,love your voice tooooooo much .
big fan of you ,waiting for each songs,, and a big congrats!!

SRI said...

Hey Chinmayee,

I am a huge fan of urs. I hadnt listened to the songs of chennai express till now, Today I was listening to Titli because Deepika looks tooo beautiful in that.
While listening I thought Oh My God, Isnt it chinmayee. I checked in wiki and yes it was you. I dunno how did i miss your song. Anyways its too good again as always. For me you are theeee best. I love your voice. Please do keep singing more. I think you arent as you used to so please sing more songs. Netru aval irundhal from maryan was exemplary. Keep it up.

SRI said...

Hey Chinmayee,
I hadnt listened to Chennai Express songs till today. Today I was watching Titli video because Deepika looks beautiful in that. While listening It clicked my mind, Oh My God, Isn't it chinmayee. I checked and yes u were the singer. You are once again marvelous as always. I am a huge fan of yours but I have a compliant U havent been singing as many songs as earlier. Please sing more in tamil & hindi & telugu & kannada, I listen to themm all. I love your voice, U were superb in maryan song netru aval irundhal as well. You are a brilliant youngster who inspires me alot. My mom is a huge fan of urs. We both wish you a successful and happy life ahead....
Regards ROHAN

Anonymous said...

Hi Chinmayi,
Kudos and very happy for you! :)
I haven't listened to the song yet but I will soon.
-R

Anonymous said...

Hi All,
There are many singers today and a few have the guts to call them as singers...Chinamyi happens to be one of the best and highly talented in this new arena of singers...
Listen to chinmayi's devotional song on Bhagwan Yogi RamsuratKumar and you will definitely accept that God has showered very very special blessings to Chinamyi...She has sung with utmost devotion(Bhava at its best)and really very very touching..Keep your good work and wish you all the very best in all your future assignments...

Regards,

T.L.Kumaramurthi

Arvind Ramachandran said...

Hi Chinmayi - 'Titli' song is jus wonderful and mesmerising.. my 3 and a half year old keeps humming that..needless to say you have definitely got the divine blessing.. God Bless..

-Arvind

Anonymous said...

I used to think that "Sahaana" was your best song till date. "Titli" beats that song by a mile. Loved your voice in the song. You can see a spark in some people's eyes... you can see a spark when some people smile... In your case, I can a see a spark in your voice, when you sing.... God bless you.

Wini said...

Chinmayi akka, you are an amazing woman! Such an inspiration to me. I read your blog whenever I am down and I need the strength to work towards something.

I see Aunty through your posts and that, in some way, feels like a blessing to me, though I feel like that door was closed a long time ago. I wish I had done things differently.

Please don't publish this comment. I was just overwhelmed when I read this post. I am so glad you are living this life, this way and wish you all the happiness in the world.

-Ashwini

Anonymous said...

Keep going Chinmayi Garu!!!
You rock...


Srikanth Rachakonda

Unknown said...

Titli...is a very nice song. The moment I heard the song tried to know about the singer. You r really an outstanding singer. I love this song very much. Chinmayee...u r really superb.God bless you.

Munish said...

You sing like a dream; also, you are such a great writer, and perhaps, a grammarian, too! God bless you!

reNUka said...

This is late realization... Such an amazing song and expressions!
Your voice is so refreshing in this song - do not know why. Somehow, the voice sounds so different when heard in Hindi, or perhaps, you have given it a different tone to it. Whatever it is, it is amazing! :-)
Keep breathing and singing!

Unknown said...

Hi my dear chinmayi your songs so awesome..........