‘My Video Playlist’ with Girishh Gopalakrishnan

A dynamic and versatile virtuoso, Girishh Gopalakrishnan is a contemporary music composer with a truly global outlook. Having studied Indian Classical music under the Legend Lalgudi G. Jayaraman, as well as film composition and music production in the UK, Girishh’s approach to composition involves a unique sensibility, sonic sensitivity and well-honed craftsmanship.

Girishh made his debut in the Tamil film industry with Director Pandiraj’s Marina; the audio and the film’s soundtrack released to critical acclaim, Marina was followed by Vidiyum Munn in 2013, which released to rave reviews for the film and its score. Girishh’s most recent work is in the trilingual horror hit Aval (Tamil), Gruham (Telugu) and The House Next Door (Hindi). The film’s music and score was raved by audience, critics alike for bringing the sound of International Horror to Indian cinema. Post this recent success, Girishh is one of the most sought after composers for content-driven cinema, with his upcoming line-up of feature films including the Anushka Shetty, R Madhavan starrer multi-lingual Nishabdham, Mookuthi Amman in Tamil and many others.

Girishh’s independent career includes the cult classic ‘Kadhalan Bharathi’, an album exploring the work of the legendary tamil poet Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar, in collaboration with players from the Wellington Symphonic Orchestra, acclaimed Pianist Anil Srinivasan, Classical Vocalist Abhishek Raghuram and Violinist Lalgudi Krishnan. His work in music education includes projects with major national youth orchestras in the UK, along with the UK’s National Orchestra for South Asian music. Since 2015, Girishh has also taken over as the conductor, composer and music producer for UK’s National Ensemble for Indian Music, Tarang, supported by Milapfest and has completed their debut album ‘Undone’, which has received wide-spread acclaim in the international press as the ‘new cutting edge sound of Indian music’.

CHECK OUT GIRISHH’S PLAYLIST! 

TM Krishna – Teliyaleru Rama (Denuka) – Saint Thyagaraja

A brilliant exposition of the carnatic raga Denuka, TMK brings a air of unhurried calmness and fervent plead to Saint Thyagaraja’s lilting verses; exploring fascinating new colours that I’ve not heard before in this raga.

Sanjay Subrahmanyam – Thunbam Nergayil (Desh) – MM Dhandapani Desigar

No better song to listen to in these trying times. The lyric goes “Thunbam Nergayil, Yaazh Eduthu Nee Inbam Serkka Maatayo” by Dhandapani Desigar, which translates to – “When you feel pain inside, why don’t you simply take Yaazh (Veena in Tamil) and make it all go away”. Sanjay Subrahmanyam’s got one of the best renditions of this song in Desh.

Bon Iver – iMi

As one of Bon Iver’s biggest fans for the past decade, I feel there is no other artist who’s pushed his artist and aesthetic sensibilities as much as he has. The entire album is fragments from a very pleasant and never ending sonic dream!

Matter Mos – WOOSAH

An accidental find (thanks to spotify’s algorithm) had me stumble on to the super chill and retro world of Indonesian Hip-Hop. Woosah has some great flow and lyric that’s very unique. Its always veryinteresting to hear Hip-Hop transform itself in the eastern hemisphere.

Arunagiri Perumale – Pradeep Kumar – Agaramum Agi

Pradeep is one of my favourite composer/musicians from India, he’s got a really unique voice which blends south american and classical sensibilities with carnatic music. Its a melting pot of where the subtle meets the complex. Do check out his other work in Tamil films as well. Agaramum Agi is a Thirupugazh composition by Arunagiri Nadhar which was re-invented for this album by Pradeep & Friends.

Yeh Jo Halka Halka – Ustand Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

No playlist is complete without a song from the genius! Something magical happens when style meets personality to transcend spiritual bliss!

Yeppadi Paadinaro – Madurai Souljour & Vanakkam Virus – Arivu – Therukkural

Madurai Souljour and Arivu have been redefining the sound of Tamil rap in the past couple of years – rapping about topics which take on majoritarian politics to talk about the plight of the un-sung and under-represented communities in Indian art and politics. Rap has become a powerful mainstream medium to express ideas that only exist in the fringes.

Pandit ji – Based on Ragas in Minor Scale by Pandit Ravishankar and Philip Glass from Passages – Samyo

Pandit Ravishankar’s Centenary Year and no better way to celebrate it for us at the Milap family than to share our re-imagining of this iconic piece co-created by two legends – Panditji and Philip Glass. Blends Indian ragas with Glass’s flamboyance to bring a never-before sound to Orchestral Indian Classical Music.

Doudou N’Diaye Rose – Rose Rhythm (Sénégal Musique)

Every single time I watch this video, I am in awe! Never have I heard or seen an entire village drumming together with such joy and panache. This has to been seen to be believed. The great legend Doudou N’Diaye Rose conducts the masterclass in African drumming.