UAE resident Abhilash Padukad knows everything there is to know about noted playback singer, S. Janaki and her songs — so he put it into an award-winning book.
S Janaki- Aalaapanathile Thenum Vayambum, available in two volumes and published by Kerala’s Logos Books, has been recognized by the India Book of Records as the most comprehensive book on Indian film music. It was launched in September in India and recently in Dubai by Arabic poet Shibab Ganem.
Nothing gives this UAE resident more joy than listening to Janaki’s songs, a habit that dates back to his childhood days when Janaki’s music filled his home. His parents, fans of Janaki, inevitably began their day with her songs.
“My mother liked her Malayalam songs while appa’s favourites were her Tamil songs, especially those composed by Ilayaraja,” says Padukad.
However, when he searched online for information on Janaki, he was disappointed to find a void — spurring him into writing the book.
Padukad, an engineer working in Abu Dhabi, says the book was a result of ten years of intense research. On every annual visit home to Kerala, he met composers and singers who had worked with Janaki and they were happy to oblige.
His first meeting with Janaki was in Sharjah in 2003 when she was in UAE for a show.
“It was an unbelievable moment for me,” recalls Padukad.
“Janaki amma sang a song for me and even spoke to my mother over the phone.”
Aalapanathile Thenum Vayambum has 92 chapters and talks about Janaki’s 2,140 Malayalam songs. Each chapter begins with a brief on the composer, the film for which the song was composed, the musical elements of the song and trivia on its recording. Lyricists and co-singers have shared their experiences, too.
“Today Janaki amma is a part of my family and we share a close bond,” says Padukad, whose favourite song is Kesaadhi paadam thozhune.
Paduka now working on another book.
“It is an autobiography and I have plans to make it into a film.”
