First an honest disclosure: I am
neither a prolific composer or nor an extempore lyricist. However, a recent
experience with writing lyrics in Telugu and composing a few songs in my mother
tongue gave me a new perspective on this activity. How to compose a song from
beginning to the end? That is, how to write lyrics for a complete song and
equip the song with a nice tune (melody,), so that the song can be sung. This
is something I've accidently just fallen into, I happen to discover (rather
uncover) and I want to elaborate some thoughts on this 'very exciting,
enjoyable, and unique' experience. I am very much just a beginner (would rather
be a beginner forever, because as a beginner one can learn new things easily!);
but my observations may perhaps kindle some new creative flares in other
people, other aspiring, ambitious new young (I mean young at heart, which has
nothing do with age or other external factors) artists. Would very much like to
hear from other folks out there in the real/cyber world. Since English is not
my mother tongue, I do not have a clear, facile, familiarity with its (the
second language) idiom, sound, rhyme, and musicality (though, I am sure it can
be learnt - not a big deal). So, I
keep my hands off of English for now. Also, I am utterly biased towards Telugu
– to me, it is the most musical (of course, Sanskrit too is very musical,
rational, and succinct in expression) language; plus, it truly is mellifluous.
Oh, you got to sing some of Annamayya’s compositions to feel it, or dwell on a Kshetrayya
padamu (పదము) to absorb its innate charm.
Ok, now what are the
most important features of a song? Tune, words, meaning, and time. I think
these four essential factors will describe the bare bones of a 'song'. Of course,
every song must (and does) originate in a poet's heart; so, every song has that
indescribable 'soul' or 'heart'. Without that intrinsic 'heart/life' - a song
even with the greatest tune/melody and words is - nothing. It will not succeed.
What do we mean by success here? The success here does not mean how many
millions of records sold - no, success here means that the song has evoked 'an
elated feeling' (or the Sanskrit word 'rasa')
in the listener. (We assume that the listener can comprehend the words,
language). Even without knowing a song's language, still we can feel its music
and essence. For example, years ago when I used to hear the Tamil song (its
Telugu counterpart is 'ilaage ilaage saraaga maadite..') with music by
Ilayaraja - though I never understood the Tamil words fully, the song always
left a romantic mood in me; the song really resonated with me. So, we can feel
songs even when the language is not fully understood!
Now a song starts with 'a
mood'. Getting that particular, unique mood is the most difficult thing. How to
get the inspiration and thoughts flowing? Do the words come first (i.e., the
lyrics are fully formed first) or just the tune - i.e., bits of notes, some
chords, a starting tune? Starting can be either way. Sometimes, I just have a
vague tune, something I can whistle, hum.
But may be, that starting note is good only for the refrain? What about
the rest of the song, the stanzas - what will be their tune? And then, we have
stalwarts like Naushad (in Hindi) and S. Rajeswara Rao (in Telugu) - who can
fit three or four different tunes to the 3 or 4 stanzas? It is already getting
complicated. Does this analysis mean that poets who can not sing (say not good
singers) can not write songs? No, not at all. After all SriSri (Telugu Poet)
wrote a number of beautiful songs. I do not think people would rate him as a
good singer. I think a good poet (or to be more precise, a lyricist) has
his/her own inner timing, tune, and very sensitive ear. And, to write a good
song, that is a must.
Words: For a poet or a lyricist, large vocabulary is essential.
Because, when we have the rough draft of a song, it is not done yet. We find some line is not fitting
properly with the tune. So, we have to chop off some words, add new words or
rearrange the sequence of words. And this keeps on going until we have a final
version of the song - a version that sounds natural, smooth, and carries the
overall tune and music. It should appear nice to the ear, to the heart and of
course, the meaning should be clear and transparent. We have to intuitively
know how long ( I mean time here) a word takes, how many syllables and
undulations are possible; we have to know whether we can stretch a particular
vowel (a, aa, i, ii, etc.) without spoiling the beauty of the song. So, in our
tool box, we must have lots of synonymous words, long ones and short ones. (In
English, there is the Rhyming Dictionary, probably this has spoilt a few
lyricists!) This comes with experience, with lot of reading, and lot of
listening. Basically, we have to live the song; there is no short cut to this
cutting and editing - unless one is an extraordinary poet like Krishnasastri or
Annamayya. Rest of us, we have to work with what we are given, by luck. Need
extraordinary patience with this way of song writing. But that is all I know
right now. Some songs have come easily to me, just within a day it got
completed. I took more time with others; partly it is due to the lack of time
or I got busy with other activities.
Meaning: What is the purpose of a song?
To translate a genuine feeling, to put it (that original state of mind) into
exquisite sound (call it melody, raagam, tune). Or we are transporting a particular 'mood' (emotional state)
into words of a language. So, the song must have an overall meaning and in between
there will be some beautiful phrases; those phrases when composed by great
poets - they are always memorable. Here are some examples: Tyagaraja - 'sucana
teliyaka orula yaacana cEyu naaku' (సూచన తెలియక ఒరుల యాచన చేయు నాకు = cluelessly begging others). SriSri -
'yavvanamu anubhavamu jatakudina' ( యవ్వనము అనుభవము జతకూడిన = youth, experience, if combined! ). Don't
we wish we have all that 'combination of youth and experience'? UshaSri - 'silalaa ceragani sogasu,
alalaa ponge vayasu' (శిలలా చెరగని సొగసు, అలలా పొంగే వయసు = a beauty like the imperishable sculpture, age/youth
brimming like a wave). If the poet can feel and immerse entirely in the mood -
meaning will come naturally.
But if I can say
just one thing - writing a good song whether it is a sad or cheerful song, it
takes a lot of energy (emotionally). And, when it is completed to the poet's
satisfaction, it takes a toll. Because, a true artist must be an intrinsic part
of his/her work (or creation). No wonder, the great SriSri had to indulge in
drinking. It is the same with singing a very moving (emotive) song (be it
classical or light music); the singer will feel that as if her batteries have
been discharged!
Writing a poem, say a free
verse is one thing. Some Telugu prose can also be put to good music. My sense
is, prose is prose, and poetry is poetry. At times, we come across awkward
experiments of forcing music onto “purely flat prose expressions”. Writing a
song with good lyrics and tune - is entirely different thing. Truly composers
like Annamayya, Ramadasu, Tyagaraja are always extraordinary giants - they
mastered all facets of song writing - literature, music, meaning, and endowing
each song with the gift of 'rare joy'. I am reminded here the quote of Newton:
"while the vast oceans of knowledge lay before me, I am
just playing on the beach with pebbles.." (or to that effect, I am writing
from memory). Before concluding I must express my gratitude to a number of
people (both here and up above there in some celestial world) who generously
gave me a lot in terms of motivation, encouragement, and inspiration; it is best
that they remain anonymous because they are close to heart!
To all those aspiring song
writers and singers, good luck and surely you will enjoy the process...
[Coming to this article on “creative composition”, is there
any thing I can add further? Just couple of things. One, in NY Times, there is
a column by the title, ‘Measure for Measure’. It too talks about music and
composing. The series may give some new ideas about inspiration and creating.
It talks about “getting stuck” and how to get out of it. One suggestion got my
attention: Rather than endlessly waiting for the best possible composition (or
lyrics), just lower your expectation, and write even a mediocre song. And
proceed from there, i.e., try improving a bad lyric (or poem). Second, my limited
experience with song writing is this: It is much easier to complete a song with
a self (or even externally) imposed deadline. Stick to the song, better to
spend intense attention for a day or two and just complete it. Often the
results are very good. Otherwise, a piece of song just drags on for months –
desperately looking at you, begging you to finish it. This too has happened to
me.
Lastly, about the art of pure listening. For me listening to
hundreds of Telugu, Hindi, and Sanskrit songs in my formative years has worked
wonders. Unknowingly, I got to subtly memorize a wide range of melodies, beats,
and very soul stirring emotional refrains. To write well, one has to read very
diverse selection of works. To compose successfully, similarly, one has to listen
across different genres and tongues. Or, like the great Brahmendra Swami, do
silent meditation.
Seven years back I posted this piece at Sulekha. It was
prompted by a request from a fellow Sulekhite. I am including it here with a
few fresh observations. I am amazed that it received the attention of thousands
of readers. It is also gratifying to any writer – that his website is
frequented by tens of thousands viewers. Last time I checked, just for fun,
this once obscure website (http://pattri-pulu.blogspot.com/) has recorded close
to 11,000 browsers. Mostly I have endeavored to post informative,
intellectually stimulating, and some even highly imaginative articles.]
Happy Ugadi (Telugu New Year) to all readers! Bring in the spring, bring in Jaya year.
Copyright by the author 2014
