PremiumPavithra Chari: AR Rahman sir helped me explore a new side to my voice with Maamannan’s Utchanthala | Exclusive
The singer-songwriter and indie artist opened up with OTTplay soon after the release of her latest song for Udayanidhi Stalin and Keerthy Suresh’s film
Last Updated: 05.21 PM, Jun 16, 2023
Pavithra Chari wears many hats. She’s a singer, composer, certified expressive arts-based therapist, a Bharatnatyam dancer, and works with organisations that combine life skills education with music to address trauma, sexual health, and self-expression. And she’s eager to explore more and do more.
One half of the indie band Shadow and Light along with Anindo Bose, she only recently ventured into playback singing but has already worked with composers that many who have been in the industry for years are yearning to work with.
This includes composers such as Santhosh Narayanan, D Imman, Devi Sri Prasad, and Reva, having lent her voice to films like Dasara, Udanpirappe, Waltair Veerayya, and the web series Ayali. In addition to this, she has been featured as an additional vocalist in Mani Ratnam's PS-1 and PS-2.
Her latest song, however, is what Pavithra describes as a "dream come true", for she got to collaborate with none other than music maestro AR Rahman on the track Utchanthala for Mari Selvaraj's upcoming film, Maamannan, which has Udayanidhi Stalin and Keerthy Suresh in lead roles.
One simply cannot miss Pavithra’s hauntingly commanding voice in this song that celebrates vocals in a way that only Rahman can make happen.
OTTplay spoke to Pavithra, who constantly shuttles between Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai, about everything from working with a genius like Rahman to her guru, Shubha Mudgal, what she aspires to do, and what her downtime looks like.
Excerpts from a freewheeling chat…
Collaborating with AR Rahman is a dream come true for any singer. How did this opportunity come your way?
In the last few months, I have been working with different composers, primarily in South India. I got my break as a playback singer with D Imman sir, and this year I have been able to do really meaningful and impactful projects. So, I have got to understand how the film industry works, and I tried to reach out to as many people as I could. I am grateful that opportunities are coming my way and that they are happening because of all the work that I have done.
What was it like to work with Rahman?
It was a dream come true to sing for him, and I will always be grateful to him for this opportunity. Sir is kind and generous, and he made me feel very comfortable in the studio. It was a huge learning experience to work with him since I was able to understand the song from the beginning until what it has become now. It was amazing to understand how songs are constructed and put together.
Did you face any challenges while singing Utchanthala?
I wouldn't call what I experienced 'challenges'. Sir kept giving me certain inputs through the recording that were helpful. He wanted an open voice and was particular about enunciations. He kept in mind the scene in the film when the song plays and the demographics of the people involved in that scene, and he gave me guidance accordingly. All of it was important input and has translated into what you will see in the song. So, I did not experience any challenges, but I got key inputs that were huge learnings for me. I really got to explore a new side of my voice with this song.
Vocals are the focus of Utchanthala, and one really feels the emotions through them. What is your process for getting in touch with the emotions of a song?
As a vocalist and indie artist, I write my own music, so I really appreciate it when a song is written well. The lyrics of Utchanthala are poignant and impactful, with strong imagery. Sir’s composition feels like it was constructed especially for the lyrics.
As an indie artist, what I write and sing about is all based on what I have experienced; it’s very personal. But when it comes to singing for films, they can throw anything at you; it can be about any kind of situation. That part is very challenging. So, I take a few minutes to centre myself and reflect on what I am reading in terms of the lyrics. Then, I just go with the lyrics that are given to me and the melody, which together tell me a story. I try to follow that and express it as a listener, and when I can do that, I end up doing my best as a performer.
You’ve already worked with composers that are on many people’s wishlists, like D Imman, AR Rahman, and Devi Sri Prasad. Do you have anyone on your wishlist that you hope to work with in the future?
So many! I’m like a kid in a candy store that way. I want more opportunities to work with different people and more interesting songs to sing. There are many people on my wishlist, like GV Prakash, Anirudh Ravichander, Amit Trivedi, Shankar Ehsan Loy, Vishal Shekhar, and Salim-Sulaiman. I am a big fan of all of their work, and many of them even know about my work from Shadow and Light.
Your guru, Shubha Mudgal, has a unique and commanding voice. And your voice is a lot like that as well. How much of an influence has she had on your style of singing?
She has had a huge influence. She is my guru and has played a huge role in guiding me to explore the different facets of my voice. I look up to her in many ways and share a deep and meaningful relationship with her aside from music. She is very giving and generous. She gives me a lot of support and helps me navigate my challenges. She is the best guru; she teaches with a lot of passion and is inspiring as a performer. I am still learning from her, and I keep her updated on all my projects and take her feedback. She was the first person I sent Utchanthala to. She is very supportive.
Has anyone told you that you look a lot like her as well?
I will take that as a compliment (laughs).
What’s next with Shadow and Light?
Anindo and I celebrate 10 years of songwriting as indie musicians. The last two years have been very exciting for us. We debuted as composers for the web series Dharavi Bank, for which we wrote the lullaby Ariraro. We want to push more in that direction and work on more web series. We are also keen to write for films and other visual media. We also have many singles that we will release later this year. As Shadow and Light, we write in English, Hindi, and Tamil, and we are definitely writing more songs in Tamil this year.
You're a singer, composer, certified expressive arts-based therapist, a Bharatnatyam dancer, and you work with organisations that combine life skills education with music to address trauma, sexual health, and self-expression. Is there anything else that you want to explore?
I want to take time to explore more about self-awareness and self-reflection. I am always looking for the next project and where to learn and move ahead in my career. I want to implore, experiment with more styles, and understand my voice more. I am happy as long as I am associated with good projects.
How do you spend time outside of work?
I am a plant mom, and I need a jungle around me everywhere I go (chuckles). I am also a cat mom, and I foster many cats.
You constantly shuttle between Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Where do you feel most at home?
I am mostly in Chennai now. Chennai is home because I was born here. But each city gives me a different flavour. I feel most at home in Delhi because my music work with Shadow and Light happens there. Most of my film work takes place in Chennai. I go to Mumbai whenever I can, and there’s a whole different vibe there. So, I enjoy the time I spend in all three cities.