THRUM WITH THE BRIDGE

Amala Muralidharan

The Master Mind

Music was a career that Govind P Menon had always dreamt of.  At the age of nineteen, when Govind left

his home for marking his name in the music world, he had no idea that he was going to build the strong ‘Thaikkudam Bridge’, we know of today - now a rage among the music lovers. Govind’s better half is his ‘green violin’ which he carries with himself wherever he goes, as a true companion. He hasn’t learnt music professionally but his experience of working with renowned musicians from the film industry, made music his cup of tea. He owes his success as a person and a musician to music composers, Oussepachan and Gopi Sundar.  Starting his career as a keyboard programmer, he later proved his talents in Super Talent too, a reality show in Kerala.  He has programmed, composed, and assisted many music directors in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada and Telugu. He has worked for more than 100 films till date; few movies to name are Bum Bum Bole, Aakrosh, Love ka Punchnama and Akaash Vani. “I wasn't much into studies, my father was my pillar of support and the sheer hardwork put in helped me reach my destiny” he says. Music runs in his blood as he is from a musical family.  His father, Peethambaran Menon, who was the ‘Voice of Thrissur’ in the 70’s, is also a part of the band. He is one of the vocalist and the violinist, music producer and general manager of the band. “Incredible things happen when your passion turns out to be your career, I couldn’t have asked for more”, laughs the artist. Hailing from Thrissur, this 25 year old has now become one of the most sought after music producer in the Malayalam Film Industry.

The Bridge

Flickering stage lights flashed on the gleaming young vibrant faces. Hands swarm in the air as silhouettes waving to the tune of unprecedented music. The whole place echoed with chorus voice of the audience as the charmers’ strike to ‘bridge the gap’, as the band says. ‘Music brings people together... it can change the world because it can change the people’, and Thaikkudam Bridge truely does that by bridging people all over the world. This interesting band with a very interesting name has taken the music industry by a storm ever since they featured for Music Mojo in Kappa TV last year. These rockstars have been gigging in colleges, in and around Kochi and even abroad with their breath taking performances.

The Menon brothers – Govind and Siddharth, made a home video of ‘Tum Ho’, an AR Rahman mix, which was noticed by Kappa TV, an entertainment channel. It was then that these hotshots jam-packed in a room and came out with 12 songs for the programme. They started off their journey from the Thaikkudam Bridge, in Kochi with 13 members and today it has grown up to be a big tree reaping 18 brilliant artists. Inspite of their diverse cultural backgrounds, it is the comradeship that keeps them bonded.  It was through ‘Nostalgia’, that these people sprung up to fame. “Nostalgia is nothing but an old wine in a new bottle, it’s only through these covers that we could touch the hearts of people” says Govind. Like a calm and quite brook, the ‘Nostalgia’  cover version of this band which improvises the evergreen numbers, has given the young crowd a nostalgic touch of the late 80’s and 90’s Malayalam music, it gave goosebumps to many and  has got a terrific response from people worldwide. Nostalgia is viral all over Youtube, and has created waves with more than 15 lakh viewership. The band gained popularity through the social networking sites such as Facebook and Youtube.

Their musical gamut includes Hindustani classical, romantic songs, to rock music, attempted by artists perfect in each genre.  Haq Allah, Illayraja Medley, Rahman Medley, Chekele, Thekkum Kooradiyathil, Aerials are few other covers done by them. Fishrock and Shiva are two of their original compositions. If Nostalgia was a quite one, then Fishrock sung and composed by Govind gushes like a vehement and lively creek. It has turned out to become a peppy number even among the small kids. The lyrics of Fishrock have been penned by Govind’s sister, Dhanya.  Disciples of Padmashri Ustad Rashid Khan, Krishna Bongane and Nila Madhav Mohapatra’s rendering of ‘Shiva’ are quite enticing, composed by Govind and penned by Gajanan Mitka.

Thaikkudam Bridge recently launched their website at Cafe Papaya, Kochi.  They are now getting ready to perform once again for Music Mojo and even   MTV ‘Coke Studio’, with their new original compositions. They have conquered all hearts through their covers and originals, are ready to surprise the music lovers with their venture into the film industry. Govind debuted in Malayalam film industry as a composer through North 24 Katham, in which Siddharth bagged the Best Debut Singer (Male) CERA BIG Malayalam Music Award. All the members of the band are now connected with the industry with many offers pouring in from Bollywood, Tollywood, Mollywood and Kollywood (Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil film industries).

These stalwarts have been lucky enough to have tasted success in their transformation stage, looking forward to creating more music which would be an aural treat for their music lovers. “Our greatest reward is the appreciation we get from people, it is all that matters at the end of the day”, says Govind.