Recently, the underground metro tunnels of Chennai were unexpectedly filled with melodies as singer Vijaynarain Rangarajan delivered an impromptu performance, delighting commuters with his fresh compositions. Rangarajan, known for his poetic single ‘Korangu,’ made an ordinary metro journey extraordinary, which attracted a crowd of onlookers recording the live showcase. A pleased traveler couldn’t help but compliment the evocative lyrics. This act of “busking,” quite uncommon in Chennai’s metro culture, had no precedent—explaining the social media requests to remove the recordings that had started gaining popularity.
The virtual traces of Vijaynarain’s metro performance might have been erased under regulatory requests, but it fueled conversations about the talented artist and his eclectic repertoire. Known for the hit ‘Ei Suzhali’ from the film ‘Kodi’ starring Dhanush, Vijaynarain is slated to entrance audiences with his unreleased independent tracks, alongside popular film numbers at an upcoming live show at Barracuda Brew on April 6. The event promises a night of diverse tunes with an ensemble featuring Naveen Napier on bass, Vikram Vivekanand and Akshay Yashodharan on guitars, Siddharth Kumar on keys, and Lawrence Ramesh on drums.
The concert is a landmark for Vijaynarain, marking a rare occasion for the artist, whose voice has graced the Tamil music industry for over a decade, singing for renowned composers like AR Rahman, Santosh Narayan, and Ilaiyaraaja. Among his career highlights is his appearance on the Tamil reality TV show ‘Super Singer’ in 2009, where his performance included an unorthodox rendition of Bryan Adams’ classic ‘Summer of ’69’.
Despite the wide recognition of his songs such as ‘Maya Visai’ from ‘Irudhi Suttru,’ Vijaynarain laments that not many associate his name with his work—a challenge brought about by his long-term residence in Australia. His eight-year sojourn Down Under has, however, been a fertile period for musical exploration. Crafting songs that traverse the themes of love, heartache, and the prosaic tapestry of life, Vijaynarain has amassed a collection of compositions he will be presenting through independent releases throughout the year. Some tracks have been forming in his mind for as long as 12 years, waiting for the right moment to be shared with the world.
Vijaynarain’s music philosophy leans towards the acoustic, nestling comfortably between Tamil Country and Blues genres. His creative process does not cater to the typically short attention spans fostered by platforms like Instagram. Instead of focusing on creating quick hooks and drops, his aim remains steadfast—to elicit joy and positivity in his listeners. His goal is to leave his audience smiling, ensuring they leave his performances feeling uplifted.
With plenty of new music on the horizon, Vijaynarain looks forward to collaborations with longtime peers including composer Santhosh Narayanan and lyricist ‘Super’ Subbu. The initiative of performing in the metro might have stirred the pot, but it has also opened avenues for collaboration. Engagements with the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) are in the works, as they show keen interest in partnering with performers and offering small station venues for concerts.
Defying constraints occasionally brings unexpected rewards, and in Vijaynarain’s case, it has put a spotlight on his upcoming live event. Vijaynarain Live, curated by Quriosity, will be hosted at Barracuda Brew in Nungambakkam. Those eager to immerse in his acoustic storytelling can secure their tickets, priced at ₹799, through insider.in. The event promises to be a memorable experience for music aficionados and casual listeners alike, highlighting the vibrant and emotional depth of Tamil music and independent artistry.
