Etcetera: Sound by design

Vijay Rathinam

What do Dutch films Kenau, Midden in De Winternacht, Los Flamencos, Mannenharten , French film Rosenn and Tamil films J K Enum Nanbanin Vazhkai, Vidiyum Munn, Sutta Kadhai, Moodar Koodam, Maryan and Maattrraan have in common? Vijay Rathinam! An independent sound designer, Vijay, who holds an MS in advanced music production from the University of Glamorgan, has worked with the sound designing team of these films. “In foreign film productions, the team has several persons, unlike in India where just one person may be employed due to the cost factor. The trend is fast changing here, especially with digitalisation and advanced projection systems which demand top-class sound quality to match the visual effects. Hence, sound designing has become a required technicality, besides sound engineering and sound recording,” says Vijay. He has also learnt Auro 3D technology which was extensively used in Maryan . “I use the most modern equipment and technology at A R Rahman’s A M Studios for all my work. Rahman’s Mixing Engineer Siva Kumar has been of great help in the work I do. Currently I am doing sound designing for Vaai Moodi Pesavum , a bilingual in Tamil and Malayalam, directed by Balaji Mohan, which stars Dulquer Salmaan and Nazriya,” says Vijay who uses the technical expertise of engineers like Prathap, Foley recordist, Bharath Krishnamachari, Creative Director, and Raju, Foley artist, at Wave Worx Sound Station.

Pitching for live sounds

When you come from a family of musicians renowned the world over for their live performances, can you be any lesser in talent? L. V. Ganesan may excel in programming and arranging music, but when it comes to recording film songs, he prefers using live performers. “My father, late L. Vaidyanathan, always preferred live musicians and this has had a big influence on me. Immediately after his demise, my priority was to complete the music of an animation film

Luv Kush, he was working on,” says Ganesan whose illustrious uncles are violinists L. Subramaniam and L. Shankar. Ganesan who has scored the music for director Kaushik’s upcoming film

Adhiyum Andhamum, says, “I have extensively used live musicians in the score which helps enhance the aural experience. Of particular importance is the ‘Pain of Love’ instrumental which is used throughout to impart the right mood for the thriller.” Director Kaushik supports his view by saying that for a thriller, background score has to be effective to convey the mood of each situation and that Ganesan has been able to deliver that.

On a high

Her debut film, Yasakhan directed by Thuraivanan, releases on March 21 and Niranjana is quite excited about that. “I have come from Kerala to make a mark in Tamil films and Yasakhan, hopefully will help me realise my dreams. My co-star is Mahesh of Angadi Theru fame,” says Niranjana. Her second outing in Kollywood, Soanpapdi, is also getting ready for release and Niranjana is clearly on a high. “Director Shivani has given me a good role opposite Sri ( Onaayum Attukuttiyum ). Besides, I’ve agreed to be part of director Karthikeyan's (assistant of Vetrimaran) next project,” informs Niranjana who meanwhile keeps herself busy with several modelling assignments.