In 2011, director Mysskin introduced composer K to the film industry through Yuddham Sei. In the five years since then, he has composed for over fifteen films, worked with Rajeev Ravi twice, and even acted in one film – Kallappadam. He may be an engineering graduate, but he is no night owl; he prefers to think of music composition as his ‘9 to 5 job’. He likes his music warm and neat, and is happiest when he’s listening to songs from the ’60s. Ahead of World Music Day (June 21), he takes a trip down memory lane, introducing us to songs that continue to inspire him.
Smoke on the water – Deep Purple
The Song: Smoke on the water, Fire in the sky. A first-person account of a fire that engulfed the Montreaux casino in Switzerland, outside which Deep Purple’s mobile studio had been stationed. Executed in ‘blues scale’ melody by the band’s Ritchie Blakemore, it is one of their best-known (and loved) hits, and arguably boasts the best guitar riffs ever known to mankind.
Artists: Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Ritchie Blakemore
K Speak:
“My initiation into the world of Rock. I’m sure it’s the same for millions of people around the world. This one is special to me because I’ve sung and played this with many groups when I was in school. I also remember it being part of the first MP3 CD compilation I bought from a CD store. It was a thing back then (Class 7/8)! P.S – I realised later on, that Deep Purple was more than just Smoke on the water!”