An instrument for change

‘Cello’ Selvaraj’s destiny was decided sometime in the 60s, during a musical performance in Madurai. Music composer MS Viswanathan, the most happening composer of that time, was supposed to be performing at a big concert at Madurai’s Thammakam Maidanam, and there was a delay in the instruments arriving at the venue due to a lorry breakdown.

Viswanathan looked worriedly at the restless crowd that had arrived, awaiting to hear his music. As luck would have it, Rathina Raj — then a popular violinist in the city — was in the vicinity, and the organisers convinced him to entertain the crowd as they awaited the arrival of the instruments. “He played for almost an hour,” says Selvaraj, recalling the story about his father that would eventually pave the way for an exciting musical career, “MSV was very impressed and invited my father to shift to Madras to work with him. All my father’s friends in the Railways, where he worked, urged him to take up this opportunity.”

So Rathina Raj moved, lock stock and barrel, to Madras. Films were immediately on the cards — not just because MSV had called him, but also because the man he’d replace in the Railways was none other than actor Nagesh, who had resigned, seeking a career in front of the camera. Since then, there was no looking back for Raj, working for MSV as a violinist for many films.

The stage is set

Selvaraj got into music when he was barely 10. “I was always interested in the stage,” he recalls, “I used to do plays and imitate many actors.”

That would soon attract producers and directors, who’d rope him in for small parts in films. “I remember acting in front of MGR at an event at Palmgrove Hotel. He was very impressed and said, ‘I like how confident you are. Don’t ever leave it.’” His interactions with MGR, Sivaji, Kamal Haasan and his performances in films such as Vadaimaalai (the film that lyricist Vaali directed) would have given him hints for an acting career, but all the while, music was accompanying him.

Having experimented with instruments from a young age, Selvaraj soon became the go-to person for many composers. Today, he has worked with more than 200 composers, from Ilaiyaraaja, Rahman to Anirudh. “I carry all my instruments in my car,” he smiles, “Depending on the requirement of that day’s session, I take out whatever is needed.”

Role model

He started by learning to play the violin, but slowly, Selvaraj realised that he needed to learn other instruments too, to go to the next level. “I got into acting, as I was inspired by Kamal Haasan sir. He’s my role model, especially because he’s an all-rounder, having a great liking for music too.” At Ilaiyaraaja’s studio, Kamal would often come by to Selvaraj and request to “just touch the double bass”. “He had immense respect as I could play it well,” he recalls.

Selvaraj’s next plan is to branch out into composing. His wealth of experience as a musician would come in handy, he feels. “I already have a song bank and would like to come out with music in a variety of genres,” he says.