There’s a creative force within the Malayalam music industry that has been enchanting listeners with his lyrical prowess, and his name is Vinayak Sasikumar. Following a triumph last year with captivating tracks from the film Romancham, such as ‘Aadaranjali’ and ‘Athmave po’, Vinayak is back, this time with the Fahadh Faasil-starrer Aavesham, penning eight out of nine songs. The soundtrack has quickly resonated with fans, with energetic hits like ‘Illuminati’, ‘Jada’, ‘Galatta’, and ‘Armadam’ taking center stage.
Celebrated for his way with words, Vinayak shares his enthusiasm, “I have fun when I write such lyrics. The movie’s success has added to the special feeling.” For Aavesham, he didn’t see the process as a challenge, given his experience with Romancham and the same creative partners—composer Sushin Shyam and director Jithu Madhavan. Yet, one song, ‘Illuminati’, posed a particular test as it demanded a delicate balance in its portrayal of the film’s character Ranga. Vinayak had to thread the needle between exaggeration and credibility, which required him to dive deep into the creative mindset.
Crafting catchy hooks is an art in itself, one that Vinayak has mastered over the years. With Romancham and Aavesham as examples, he reveals that such creative nuggets are not stumbled upon by chance. “Sushin allowed me the freedom to explore without worrying about the meter. For ‘Galatta’, he gave me the tempo and I wrote to match it,” he comments. This liberty isn’t always available, he notes, and when it isn’t, creating harmonious and catchy hooks becomes a more complex endeavor.
Vinayak’s collaboration with Sushin Shyam has been fruitful, to say the least. Their joint ventures include notable titles like Ezra, Rosappoo, Maradona, Varathan, Kumbalangi Nights, Bheeshmaparvam, and Kannur Squad, to name a few. His lyrics are often informed by visual cues if available, or by a brief about the actors involved in the song. For ‘Njaan Jackson allada’ from the film Ambili, he gained insight into Soubin Shahir’s character and dance moves before setting words to paper.
Since his debut with Kutteem Kolum at the tender age of 18, Vinayak has contributed to over 110 films. However, he acknowledges that predicting the reach of his songs remains elusive. He recalls writing ‘Thai manam’ for Manjummel Boys, a song close to his heart that unfortunately didn’t catch on as much as others in the movie. Yet, sometimes the buzz around a project, like in the case of Aavesham, assures increased attention to the songs.
Vinayak does not shy away from doing his homework either. For the upcoming mega project Kathanar – The Wild Sorcerer, starring Jayasurya, he delved into the appropriate dialects as the characters do not converse in contemporary Malayalam. Research is part of his process, as seen for the songs in Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey where he immersed himself in Malayalam proverbs relating to women, leading to dismay upon discovering some regressive attitudes inherent in them.
Regarding trends in movie-song picturization, he holds a pragmatic view, considering songs can still become popular even if they are not fully featured in the film itself. His experience with ‘Parudeesa’ and ‘Rathipushpam’ from Bheeshmaparvam serves as an example, where the latter became a viral hit thanks to effective promotion.
Looking back on his career in the music industry, Vinayak feels he is now in a much better place as a lyricist. His catalog of hits has bolstered his relevance, reinforced his trust with composers, and given him more creative freedom. “Hits make us relevant and I have had my share of success,” he muses. He believes in the recognition of lyricists, emphasizing the importance of being credited by project makers, industry peers, and the media, while acknowledging that lyricists may never be as publicly recognized as singers or composers.
Vinayak Sasikumar’s journey continues with anticipated releases like Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil, Turbo, Marivillin Gopurangal, and Little Hearts. In an evolving industry, the magic he weaves through his verses has made his name synonymous with thoughtful and catchy lyrics that resonate deeply with the music-loving audience.
