Thiruvananthapuram: Seventy years. Fourteen districts. One heartbeat. This is the story of 'Ente Keralam'.
As Kerala celebrates its 70th year of formation, VOKS
Studios has presented a gift that will be remembered for years - 'Ente
Keralam', a musical album that claims to be the most beautiful tribute ever
made to the state. It was released on October 31st evening.
The numbers behind the album tell its grandeur. One concept.
One legendary lyricist. One music director. Ten singers. Over thirty dancers.
Two Theyyam troupes. Fifteen technicians. Thirty days of shoot. Three cameras.
Fourteen districts. One Kerala.
The concept, music and direction are by Rajesh Babu K
Sooranad. A known name in the Malayalam music and film industry, Rajesh Babu
has composed for more than 15 albums and has produced critically acclaimed
Malayalam films like Perfume, Binary and Zha. He is now preparing for his first
directorial venture, the film 'Ennum Ennum'.
The lyrics are by P K Gopi, a poet whose name is synonymous
with historical and cultural songs of Kerala. His lines for 'Ente Keralam' are
both a history lesson and a love letter. The pallavi - "Amma kadal petta
theerangal..." - encapsulates the myth and reality of Kerala being born
from the sea.
The vocal ensemble is a deliberate representation of
Kerala's unity. Singers Madhu Balakrishnan, Biju Narayanan, Anwar Sadath, P K
Sunil Kumar, Ganga, Sindhu Premkumar, Vinitha, Dilna have come together, each
from a different district, to sing for their motherland. Their voices were
blended with backing vocals by Prabhal Kusum and Ajmal Basheer, with keyboard
and rhythm programming by Ajmal Basheer and Suhas Bachu, recorded at Shivam
Sound Studio, Calicut.
Visually, the album is a treat. The DOP Shobin C Johny and
Second Unit Cinematographer Ragesh Cheliya have captured Kerala's monsoon
greenery, its festivals, its rituals and its people. Editor Sanal Kumar P S has
woven these visuals seamlessly. The project was designed by Anju Mukundan and
creatively directed by V M Anil.
The choreography is monumental. Chief Choreographer
Kalakshethra Aniyan T S has orchestrated a confluence of classical and folk.
Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Kerala Natanam, Margamkali, Oppana and Thiruvathira
are performed by a dedicated group of young dancers including Thejal, Shanvika,
Sanviya Lakshmi, Aanviya, Sivananda, Geethika, Archana and many more, led by
featured dancer Vaiga K Sajeeve.
Produced by Justin A Ambalan and co-produced by Kalamandalam
Narasim and O K Ahammedkutty, with production control by actor Shanoop, 'Ente
Keralam' is now available on YouTube and is already receiving praise from
cultural circles.
The album is now streaming on
YouTube: https://youtu.be/YWuuMealu7M?si=EuKlGUEpDSF_rq5i