Recommended
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 of them – 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 also likes his music warm and neat, and is the 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.
“Promentory” from The Last of the Mohicans
The Artists: Dougie Maclean & Trevor Jones
The Song: Dougie Maclean’s “The Gael” was adapted for The Last Of The Mohicans by Trevor Jones. The lilting main riff comes from “The Gael”, while the slow notes are the creation of the film’s composer, Jones. When the two combine, it is pure magic; a fitting score for Alice Munro’s tragic end.
Though 24 years have passed, the song and in a larger sense – the film’s hold over the public has not changed. It showcased a romance that transcended race and suffered a tragic end for it. We saw the slow disappearance of an entire tribe and then, at the very end, a bittersweet hope that we all place in the future.
In an interview, Trevor Jones explained that he wanted to adapt the Celtic based song in such a way that it would suit the tone of the film. “There’s no two ways about it. This is a Mohican film and, as such, introducing music alien to their setting would be blatantly arrogant. So, we got the basic arrangement and attempted to err..Mohicanise it.”
The simple tune continues to mesmerise listeners across the world even today. It has been frequently covered by aspiring fiddlers, and has spawned many an online fan community purely devoted to the song.
K Speak:
“The violin-based theme is a simple yet haunting one – one of the first pieces of western film music I listened to properly. I remember trying to play it on my keyboard and discovering that it was quite difficult to recreate the nuances of the real instrument. I think this was when I was in class 5.”