One of his close friends, actor Rahul Ramakrishna, calls him ‘Swara swagger’. Filmmakers who work with him add the line ‘a Vivek Sagar musical’, knowing his popularity among the audience; a case in point being the recent hit Brochevarevarura. The easy mix of folksy-street tunes with the classical-contemporary notes helped the already well-etched film shine brighter.
Stepping into Vivek Sagar’s studio in Chikkadpally, it’s easier to get a glimpse of what sets him apart. A photograph of Ilayaraaja is mounted opposite the central music console. Vivek says the maestro has been a great influence on him while learning music, “He’s probably done everything that’s possible in music. I also admire A R Rahman for stepping out of Ilayaraaja’s shadows and carving a unique path for himself.”
- Vivek collaborated with his friends Varun, Phani, and Sanjay, to form different bands over the years. They formed Stiff Neck Syndrome in 2003, playing new age metal and rock. Later, they formed Catharsis to focus on classical instrumental music. Their popular group called Tapeloop was formed in 2010 and is still active. They worked on ad jingles, corporate films and composed original music for weddings. “The money was good and we were happy with the creative work,” he says. Vivek wasn’t too inclined towards cinema. However, when he met Tharun Bhascker and composed for his short film Sainma, it paved the way for Pelli Choopulu. There was no turning back.
Drums, guitar and a host of folk instruments are in the studio. Vivek and his friends pick up any interesting instrument they come across while travelling. A dry beerakaya (ridged gourd) and a few dried long pods of a weed are also in the studio. Vivek shakes the ridged gourd and the plant pods and makes me listen to the sounds that emanate from them. He likes composing in this studio, where he can pick up any instrument and add richness to his tunes.
Sights and sounds
The earthy sounds in Falaknuma Das and Brochevarevarura perhaps stem from this space. “I grew up in Nampally and I’m familiar with the sights and sounds of Old City. I wanted the music of Falaknuma Das to be more raw, taking a similar approach to the Malayalam original Angamaly Diaries. But Vishwak Sen (actor and director) wanted something mainstream and I went with his vision,” says Vivek.
Vivek explores Hyderabad’s neighbourhoods and listens to street performers. He believes that music should reflect the ambience in which a story is set, and likes to use real sounds and record with instrumental artists, than opting for electronic tunes on the keyboard. He’s one of the brightest music composers to have entered Telugu cinema in recent years, the breakthrough film being Pelli Choopulu (2016). He doesn’t listen to much of mainstream film music and is more tuned into independent bands, classical instrumental and anything unique that his friends find for him.
Ear for music
He talks about working with directors with a good sense of music, from Tharun Bhascker (Pelli Choopulu and Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi) to Mohana Krishna Indraganti (Sammohanam) and Vivek Athreya (Broche…), among others. “Indraganti enjoys European music and jazz and Sammohanam’s story gave me the scope to do something new,” he recalls. Vivek mentions Ee Nagaraniki… among the most-satisfying albums he’s done so far, with the scope to transcend genres.
Vivek cannot stop smiling when he talks about Broche… and is all praise for the way writer-director Vivek Athreya brought together numerous characters in a tightly-knit plot. “We used classy, contemporary music for Satyadev and Nivetha Pethuraj since their story is about an aspiring director and an actress. For the R3 gang (Sree Vishnu, Priyadarshi and Rahul Ramakrisha), I used some rustic folk elements. The ‘Vagaladi’ song has the swag, in contrast to the introspective phase in the second half,” he explains. Vivek kept the music quirky to lighten up the brooding, dark comedy.
Sree Vishnu and Nivetha Thomas in Brochevarevarura
Vivek listens to story narrations before he accepts a project. He recalls an industry biggie inviting him to his office after Pelli Choopulu became a hit. Not wanting to disclose the name, Vivek reveals what followed next: “He called me over and then feigned ignorance of my name. It was funny; then he asked me to compose any tune within 15 days. I asked him if there was a storyline or a song situation. He just wanted a song, any song. I excused myself saying I don’t feel comfortable working like that.”
Vivek Athreya had first offered Mental Madhilo to Vivek Sagar but the latter had just finished Pelli Choopulu and wanted to do another rom-com. “But, he told me the story outline of his next film, Broche… I loved the idea, the title and said I would do it.”
Most of the recording and processing is done in the Chikkadpally studio, though occasionally the music mastering might be done elsewhere. The music mastering for Broche… was done in the UK.
Alternative approach
To an extent, Vivek’s approach to work stemmed from his older brother Kalyan, who was drawn to movies of Shyam Benegal and Satyajit Ray while growing up. “I was too young to understand those films in my school days, but later I could see that my brother had an eclectic taste in cinema and music. He followed his heart. He didn’t write EAMCET, studied mass communication, joined National Institute of Design and ventured into non-commercial filmmaking. All this was tough in the 90s, coming from a middle-class family,” he recounts.
When Vivek too showed an inclination towards the arts, it wasn’t easy. “My father worked in the government sector and also took up part-time jobs. He had worked extra hard and wanted us to do well,” he recounts. Vivek took up engineering, but college opened up his world to music: “I picked up the guitar for the first time in college and learnt music through the internet. By the time I finished engineering in 2004-05, I was clear I wanted to pursue music. My family didn’t discourage me, but they said I shouldn’t come back to them asking for help.”
Vivek’s family is now proud of his work. His filmography traverses mainstream Telugu cinema and documentaries like The Dhoolpet Ganesha and Sheesh Mahal. He’s in talks for a few feature film projects, and is working on a docu-drama directed by Kiranmayee Indraganti, and the web series Story Discussion 2.
Speaking of long-term plans, Vivek says he hopes to have a music studio outside city limits, where he can make music amidst a natural setting.