AH, the 1980s, that time of big hair, reverb and synthisers. But in India, the music of the movies made the hits.
For playback singer Saindhavi, the 80s music was not the glam of the screen but inspiring too.
Saindhavi, who started performing at the age of 5, is well-known in her homeland for her songs in the 2012 Vikram starrer called Thaandavam, Theri in 2016, and her foray won her awards including the Edison Award for Best Playback Singer in 2013.
The 29-year-old is set to perform in Madras: An 80's Musical
On May 5 in Kuala Lumpur.
"We as kids grew up watching our parents being in awe of the music of the 80's when Raja sir (composer Ilaiyaraaja)was at his peak and Tamil cinema produced some of the biggest legends of all time like directors Mani Rathnam, Vairamuthu and many more.
"To think of that era itself is spellbinding, and to choose songs from there and perform for you in Malaysia is just wow."
The Chennai native made her mark as one of the youngest Indian singers who excels in both classical and light forms of music.
"I started performing when I was 5. When I was young, I accompanied my parents to satsangs and bhajans regularly. During one such satsang, I started a chaos by crying for the mic as I desperately wanted to sing.
"Eventually they did give me the mic and i sang a bhajan that I regularly heard other people sing in satsangs. So that's how it all began.
"And then regularly, at every satsang they started giving me the mic for that one song and slowly I started singing all the bhajans."
Saindhavi's early training was in Carnatic classical music, which she still practises.
"As years went by, I wanted to explore and learn other genres so I got trained in Hindustani classical music and western classical music. But I chose to pursue Carnatic classical as I could identify myself with that. When it comes to film music, melodies is what I feel my forte is."
To date, Saindhavi, who says she loves to cook and read fiction as much as she loves singing, has performed in 1,500 concerts around the world.
"I have performed in lots of places but the best has always been in Chennai. I remember when I sang (Subramania) Bharathiyar songs at his house for his birth anniversary. I generally have a habit of closing my eyes and singing.
"On one such instance I was singing (Chinnanchiru kiliye) Kannamma from a Bharathiyar's poem and when I opened my eyes, almost everyone had tears in their eyes. I can never forget that moment in my life."
The song, a 1951 Manamagal film hit, is about the love of a mother for her child, and it has been covered by many singers including Bombay Jayashree, K.J. Yesudas and recently Swetha Mohan.
India's music of 1980s is bound to be a pleasurable time for music lovers in Malaysia.
The Madras: An 80s Musical is the kick-off for the 3rd edition of the Malaysian Independent Live Fusion Festival (MILFF).
Saindhavi will perform with Rahul nambiar, Aalpa Raju and Ranjith Govind, accompanied by Aalap's band. — By SUBHADRA DEVAN, subhadra@nst.com.my
Fact Box
Madras: An 80's Musical
When: May 5, 6pm-11pm
Where: Hotel Istana Mahkota Ballroom
Tickets from RM140
Visit https://airasiaredtix.com/madras or email info@mojoprojects.asia